Page 4
Working together.
Growing together.
The Newsletter of AccessAbility, Inc.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota,
AccessAbility, Inc. provides immediate
work opportunities for adults with
barriers to employment and a broad
choice of services to meet individual long
-term needs. Populations we serve
include people with disabilities,
immigrants, refugees, and unemployed
or underemployed individuals.
Working together.
Spring 2008
The Newsletter of AccessAbility, Inc.
Spring 2008
The Enchanted Garden Party
Thursday, May 28 & Thursday, June 5, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
For further questions about our
newsletter, contact Betsy Halcomb at
[email protected] or 612-3315958. Please forward all address changes
to our Development Dept.
Susan Anderson
Employee of the
Year 2007
Our Mission
To provide opportunities for
self-sufficiency for people with
barriers to employment and
community inclusion.
Pat Strachan
Chair
Castle Rock Associates
Bruce Groves
Vice Chair
Visitation Church
Leander Hallgren
Secretary
Retired, Honeywell
Pat Foley
Treasurer
Merrill Communications,
LLC
Barbara Arnold
Ex-officio
AccessAbility, Inc.
Thomas Brunelle
Retired, Sota Tec Fund of
the Blandin Foundation
Dianne Goodwin
BlueSky Designs, Inc.
Mohamed Jibrell
Hennepin County
Joan Wilshire
Minnesota State County on
Disability (MSCOD)
Growing together.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Non-Profit Org.
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 3429
MPLS, MN
360 Hoover St. Northeast
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-331-5958 v/tty
612-331-2448 fax
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.accessability.org
Providing traditional and nontraditional case management
services to the consumers in
the DTH is what makes Susan
Anderson the AccessAbility,
Inc. 2007 Employee of the
Year. Susan uses humor and
her incredible sense of creativity to provide programming
to her consumers that promotes positive work and social behaviors. Examples of
the creative programming
that Susan has implemented
includes taking a consumer to
the NASCAR Race Track at
the Mall of America, holding
chess tournaments in her office during break time and
allowing consumers to sing
their favorite American Idol
songs in her office.
Over the past year, Susan
has worked with DTH consumers that are dealing with
issues not typically seen in
the DTH. Some of these issues include pregnancy, child
Susan Anderson
continued on page 4
“The Enchanted Garden Party” is the theme
for AccessAbility’s upcoming summer event.
Lee Hallgren, one of our Board members,
has graciously offered his beautiful garden
in Highland Park for the fundraiser. Lee is
a “master of the garden” and has been
listed in a number of garden magazines. A
previous garden tour that Lee hosted attracted over 500 visitors! Chair of the
event is Peggy Davies. Peggy is Co-Chair of
the PR/Communications committee for AccessAbility’s capital campaign and has experience organizing successful fundraisers.
.
The garden event will be two separate, but related events on Saturday, June 21st. The day event will be from 12:00 to 5:00 P.M. with an
estimate of 200-300 people touring the garden and include garden
demonstrations such as flower art, how to bonsai and “ask a master
of the garden”. Lee is also donating 100 hostas to sell at the day
event. The cost for the tour will range from donations of $10 to $30
per person. The twilight event, 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. will host 100 VIP’s
and include a raffle, silent auction, entertainment, and wine and canapés. Donations for this event are recommended from $50 to $500. If
you would like to volunteer, donate a garden related item, or have
any questions please call Joan Marso at ext. 111.
AccessAbility Named
Small Employer of
Year
AccessAbility has won the Employer
of the Year Award - Small Employer
from the Minnesota State Council on
Disability. One of the ways that the
State Council reaffirms its mission to “empower the lives of individuals living with a disability” is to identify those individuals and organizations whose work in the disability community is exemplary.
The Employer of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary and meritorious commitment by an organization to recruiting, hiring and retaining individuals living with a disability. Recipients have demonstrated
outstanding achievements in the world of work and made significant
contributions that increase public awareness of Minnesotans with disabilities.
New Board
Members
Mohamed Jibrell
rejoins AAI Board
of Directors. Mohamed is a Planning Analyst with
the Multicultural
Services division
of Health and Human Services department of
Hennepin County. In 2008,
Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners has appointed
him to be a member of the
Work Force Investment Board.
Mohamed's previous experience includes Assistant Dean of
Students and Lecturer at Trinity College and consulting HR
at Betchel Corp. He was also a
consultant with international
firms affiliated with U.S.
Agency for International Development and a Work Force Development Manager at Goodwill
Easter Seals.
Mr. Jibrell has a Masters Degree in History from Trinity
College and a BA in Political
Science from the University of
Bridgeport in Connecticut. He
is a father of three sons; Jama,
Mahad and Fatah. He and his
wife, Kinsi live in Northeast
Minneapolis. Mohamed will
bring his expertise in diversity
training to AAI.
Joan Willshire,
our newest
elected Board
Member is the
Executive Director for Minnesota State
Council on Disability
(MSCOD). She began the position in November of 2003.
Joan's past employment
New Board Members
continued on page 3
page 2
Message From the
President
Volunteers
Needed for
60 Year
Anniversary
Dear Friends of AccessAbility:
Spring of 2008 -- an exciting time for AccessAbility! This year we celebrate 60 years of serving our
community. In addition to celebrating our diamond
anniversary, we are also beginning plans to expand
and renovate our facility to better prepare us to continue our mission for many years to come.
page 3
Barbara Arnold,
President
I recently had someone tell me that it was quite an accomplishment for any
organization to survive 60 years. She asked, "What is the secret formula?" My answer, there's no secret at all. It is simply the sum of a truly
powerful mission, a dedicated hard working community, and the commitment to continually change and adjust to community needs.
Our mission to provide opportunities for self sufficiency for people with barriers to employment and community inclusion is as strong as ever .In fact, it
is even more in demand during the current economic times. AccessAbility
has waiting lists of individuals in desperate need of our services. Our number one priority is to find more work opportunities for people.
AccessAbility's staff is top of the line. Dedicated individuals like Susan, our
employee of the year, are committed to making a difference in the lives of
individuals. Our Board, volunteers and supporters understand the important
role we play in our community and work hard to help our efforts.
Change is constant and is a way of life at AccessAbility. No two days are
the same. Individual needs, business needs, and community needs
change. It is the ability to adapt, create new opportunities, and remain mission centered in all that we do.
We thank you for your support and hope to see you at our events this
year.
Happy spring.
Celebrate Northeast Minneapolis
and Celebrate AccessAbility!
In honor of our 60th Anniversary, what says celebration better
than a parade. For the 4th consecutive year, AccessAbility, Inc.,
will be entering a float in the 79th annual Celebrate Northeast
Minneapolis Parade. The parade is on June 24, 2008 at 6:30p.m.
in the evening and runs down Central Avenue from 28th street
to 14th street. Our theme this year, in honor of our 60th
"Diamond" anniversary is "Puttin' on the Glitz". In our second
year entering the parade in 2006, we received the highest honor
for all parade entrants, the Grand Champion Award. We are
striving for a repeat performance this year and are in the planning process for this event to make it another memorable evening. If you are interested in helping or participating in the parade, please feel free to call (612) 331-5958.
It is AccessAbility’s 60th Anniversary of serving the community! To celebrate, we are planning a “grand gala” in September with the theme “Dancing
through the Decades”. The
event is in the beginning stages
of planning and we are in need
of volunteers for several committees: Silent Auction, Logistics, PR/Marketing and Sales.
Please contact Joan Marso for
more information at 612-8521811.
Requests
For
Referrals
Can you help us “open the
door” to companies or businesses? AccessAbility is continuously looking for new sales
leads that will help create constant work for our consumers.
Do you know a relative,
neighbor, or friend that works
for a company that may need
our services? AccessAbility can
help with packaging, assembly
or mailings. We also offer document destruction or document
conversion services to businesses. All we need is the contact name and we will make the
call! Please contact Lisa Lundmark at 612-331-5958 with any
referrals or questions.
Consumer Recognition
On December 13th, 2007
AccessAbility held its annual
Consumer Recognition reception where 33 clients
were recognized for their
many years of dedicated
service. Pictured is Margo
Stellmach, who celebrated
30 years of service.
Clients and their guests
were treated to cake, punch
and a presentation from
President Barbara Arnold. Consumers received a certificate,
t–shirt and years of service pin. Congratulations to you all!
New Board Members continued from page 2
includes Marketing Services Manager with Courage Center and
Red Line Health Care. She also worked part time while in graduate school as a consultant in Disability and Advocacy at Hamline
University Disability Services.
Joan has a Masters of Arts degree in Public Affairs from University
of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs with a certificate
in Disability Services Policy from the Institute of Community Integration. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Wisconsin Stout.
Joan is active on several committees that advocate and set policies for people with disabilities. She lives in the North Loop
Neighbor in Downtown Minneapolis with her husband Jim and
their two cats, Bob and Bootsie. Joan's expert subject matter on
disability will be a strength to AAI.
Susan Anderson continued from page 1
care, housing needs, single moms and nutrition counseling for
consumer’s children. Susan approaches these issues in the same
manner that she deals with the more traditional issues, with a
positive, genuinely caring attitude and respect for the people she
is working to help.
Susan’s supervisor says, “Susan always wants to do more than is
called for”. Susan sets the standard for other staff as she goes
above and beyond for her consumers in all aspects of their lives.
New Board
Members
Mohamed Jibrell
rejoins AAI Board
of Directors. Mohamed is a Planning Analyst with
the Multicultural
Services division
of Health and Human Services department of
Hennepin County. In 2008,
Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners has appointed
him to be a member of the
Work Force Investment Board.
Mohamed's previous experience includes Assistant Dean of
Students and Lecturer at Trinity College and consulting HR
at Betchel Corp. He was also a
consultant with international
firms affiliated with U.S.
Agency for International Development and a Work Force Development Manager at Goodwill
Easter Seals.
Mr. Jibrell has a Masters Degree in History from Trinity
College and a BA in Political
Science from the University of
Bridgeport in Connecticut. He
is a father of three sons; Jama,
Mahad and Fatah. He and his
wife, Kinsi live in Northeast
Minneapolis. Mohamed will
bring his expertise in diversity
training to AAI.
Joan Willshire,
our newest
elected Board
Member is the
Executive Director for Minnesota State
Council on Disability
(MSCOD). She began the position in November of 2003.
Joan's past employment
New Board Members
continued on page 3
page 2
Message From the
President
Volunteers
Needed for
60 Year
Anniversary
Dear Friends of AccessAbility:
Spring of 2008 -- an exciting time for AccessAbility! This year we celebrate 60 years of serving our
community. In addition to celebrating our diamond
anniversary, we are also beginning plans to expand
and renovate our facility to better prepare us to continue our mission for many years to come.
page 3
Barbara Arnold,
President
I recently had someone tell me that it was quite an accomplishment for any
organization to survive 60 years. She asked, "What is the secret formula?" My answer, there's no secret at all. It is simply the sum of a truly
powerful mission, a dedicated hard working community, and the commitment to continually change and adjust to community needs.
Our mission to provide opportunities for self sufficiency for people with barriers to employment and community inclusion is as strong as ever .In fact, it
is even more in demand during the current economic times. AccessAbility
has waiting lists of individuals in desperate need of our services. Our number one priority is to find more work opportunities for people.
AccessAbility's staff is top of the line. Dedicated individuals like Susan, our
employee of the year, are committed to making a difference in the lives of
individuals. Our Board, volunteers and supporters understand the important
role we play in our community and work hard to help our efforts.
Change is constant and is a way of life at AccessAbility. No two days are
the same. Individual needs, business needs, and community needs
change. It is the ability to adapt, create new opportunities, and remain mission centered in all that we do.
We thank you for your support and hope to see you at our events this
year.
Happy spring.
Celebrate Northeast Minneapolis
and Celebrate AccessAbility!
In honor of our 60th Anniversary, what says celebration better
than a parade. For the 4th consecutive year, AccessAbility, Inc.,
will be entering a float in the 79th annual Celebrate Northeast
Minneapolis Parade. The parade is on June 24, 2008 at 6:30p.m.
in the evening and runs down Central Avenue from 28th street
to 14th street. Our theme this year, in honor of our 60th
"Diamond" anniversary is "Puttin' on the Glitz". In our second
year entering the parade in 2006, we received the highest honor
for all parade entrants, the Grand Champion Award. We are
striving for a repeat performance this year and are in the planning process for this event to make it another memorable evening. If you are interested in helping or participating in the parade, please feel free to call (612) 331-5958.
It is AccessAbility’s 60th Anniversary of serving the community! To celebrate, we are planning a “grand gala” in September with the theme “Dancing
through the Decades”. The
event is in the beginning stages
of planning and we are in need
of volunteers for several committees: Silent Auction, Logistics, PR/Marketing and Sales.
Please contact Joan Marso for
more information at 612-8521811.
Requests
For
Referrals
Can you help us “open the
door” to companies or businesses? AccessAbility is continuously looking for new sales
leads that will help create constant work for our consumers.
Do you know a relative,
neighbor, or friend that works
for a company that may need
our services? AccessAbility can
help with packaging, assembly
or mailings. We also offer document destruction or document
conversion services to businesses. All we need is the contact name and we will make the
call! Please contact Lisa Lundmark at 612-331-5958 with any
referrals or questions.
Consumer Recognition
On December 13th, 2007
AccessAbility held its annual
Consumer Recognition reception where 33 clients
were recognized for their
many years of dedicated
service. Pictured is Margo
Stellmach, who celebrated
30 years of service.
Clients and their guests
were treated to cake, punch
and a presentation from
President Barbara Arnold. Consumers received a certificate,
t–shirt and years of service pin. Congratulations to you all!
New Board Members continued from page 2
includes Marketing Services Manager with Courage Center and
Red Line Health Care. She also worked part time while in graduate school as a consultant in Disability and Advocacy at Hamline
University Disability Services.
Joan has a Masters of Arts degree in Public Affairs from University
of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs with a certificate
in Disability Services Policy from the Institute of Community Integration. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Wisconsin Stout.
Joan is active on several committees that advocate and set policies for people with disabilities. She lives in the North Loop
Neighbor in Downtown Minneapolis with her husband Jim and
their two cats, Bob and Bootsie. Joan's expert subject matter on
disability will be a strength to AAI.
Susan Anderson continued from page 1
care, housing needs, single moms and nutrition counseling for
consumer’s children. Susan approaches these issues in the same
manner that she deals with the more traditional issues, with a
positive, genuinely caring attitude and respect for the people she
is working to help.
Susan’s supervisor says, “Susan always wants to do more than is
called for”. Susan sets the standard for other staff as she goes
above and beyond for her consumers in all aspects of their lives.
Page 4
Working together.
Growing together.
The Newsletter of AccessAbility, Inc.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota,
AccessAbility, Inc. provides immediate
work opportunities for adults with
barriers to employment and a broad
choice of services to meet individual long
-term needs. Populations we serve
include people with disabilities,
immigrants, refugees, and unemployed
or underemployed individuals.
Working together.
Spring 2008
The Newsletter of AccessAbility, Inc.
Spring 2008
The Enchanted Garden Party
Thursday, May 28 & Thursday, June 5, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
For further questions about our
newsletter, contact Betsy Halcomb at
[email protected] or 612-3315958. Please forward all address changes
to our Development Dept.
Susan Anderson
Employee of the
Year 2007
Our Mission
To provide opportunities for
self-sufficiency for people with
barriers to employment and
community inclusion.
Pat Strachan
Chair
Castle Rock Associates
Bruce Groves
Vice Chair
Visitation Church
Leander Hallgren
Secretary
Retired, Honeywell
Pat Foley
Treasurer
Merrill Communications,
LLC
Barbara Arnold
Ex-officio
AccessAbility, Inc.
Thomas Brunelle
Retired, Sota Tec Fund of
the Blandin Foundation
Dianne Goodwin
BlueSky Designs, Inc.
Mohamed Jibrell
Hennepin County
Joan Wilshire
Minnesota State County on
Disability (MSCOD)
Growing together.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Non-Profit Org.
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 3429
MPLS, MN
360 Hoover St. Northeast
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-331-5958 v/tty
612-331-2448 fax
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.accessability.org
Providing traditional and nontraditional case management
services to the consumers in
the DTH is what makes Susan
Anderson the AccessAbility,
Inc. 2007 Employee of the
Year. Susan uses humor and
her incredible sense of creativity to provide programming
to her consumers that promotes positive work and social behaviors. Examples of
the creative programming
that Susan has implemented
includes taking a consumer to
the NASCAR Race Track at
the Mall of America, holding
chess tournaments in her office during break time and
allowing consumers to sing
their favorite American Idol
songs in her office.
Over the past year, Susan
has worked with DTH consumers that are dealing with
issues not typically seen in
the DTH. Some of these issues include pregnancy, child
Susan Anderson
continued on page 4
“The Enchanted Garden Party” is the theme
for AccessAbility’s upcoming summer event.
Lee Hallgren, one of our Board members,
has graciously offered his beautiful garden
in Highland Park for the fundraiser. Lee is
a “master of the garden” and has been
listed in a number of garden magazines. A
previous garden tour that Lee hosted attracted over 500 visitors! Chair of the
event is Peggy Davies. Peggy is Co-Chair of
the PR/Communications committee for AccessAbility’s capital campaign and has experience organizing successful fundraisers.
.
The garden event will be two separate, but related events on Saturday, June 21st. The day event will be from 12:00 to 5:00 P.M. with an
estimate of 200-300 people touring the garden and include garden
demonstrations such as flower art, how to bonsai and “ask a master
of the garden”. Lee is also donating 100 hostas to sell at the day
event. The cost for the tour will range from donations of $10 to $30
per person. The twilight event, 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. will host 100 VIP’s
and include a raffle, silent auction, entertainment, and wine and canapés. Donations for this event are recommended from $50 to $500. If
you would like to volunteer, donate a garden related item, or have
any questions please call Joan Marso at ext. 111.
AccessAbility Named
Small Employer of
Year
AccessAbility has won the Employer
of the Year Award - Small Employer
from the Minnesota State Council on
Disability. One of the ways that the
State Council reaffirms its mission to “empower the lives of individuals living with a disability” is to identify those individuals and organizations whose work in the disability community is exemplary.
The Employer of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary and meritorious commitment by an organization to recruiting, hiring and retaining individuals living with a disability. Recipients have demonstrated
outstanding achievements in the world of work and made significant
contributions that increase public awareness of Minnesotans with disabilities.