Living Well Disability Services

We have the BEST staff in the world! Help us celebrate our legacy staff. Not many organizations can boast a staff full of long-time employees. Yesterday was our employee recognition party and we had the honor of recognizing special employment milestones for 62 remarkable employees who collectively have 615 years of service!! These include: -32 employees who have reached 5-year service milestones -18 who have reached 10 years -5 who have 15 years -3 who have 20 years -1 who has 25 years -2 who have 35 years AND -1 remarkable employee with 45 years of service!!!! These are incredible numbers, please read about them in this week’s blog. https://lnkd.in/gAgjtKiR

Living Well Takes a Field Trip to See the Trolls in Detroit Lakes Submitted by Jean Larson, PhD, HTR, CTRS, Graduate Faculty, Nature-Based Therapeutics Faculty Lead, with the University of Minnesota, Landscape Arboretum and Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing The University of Minnesota and Living Well Disability Services (as part of the Nature-Based Therapeutic Services: Creative Crafts program) took a field trip to see the Trolls in Detroit Lakes on September 7, 2024. The Trolls, conceived and made by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo (and many local volunteers) is to highlight the need for environmental awareness and recycling, as well as a joyful way for exploring the outdoors. To begin our troll adventure, we had a great lunch at the Lakeside Tavern on Detroit Lake. From there we were off to see the first of the trolls located in City Park, just a block from the restaurant. To get to Alexa Elixer, the first troll, it was a quick and easy walk. The sight of this magnificent troll filled us with such excitement — we were all motivated to see the next one. So, we were off to the Dunton Locks County Park to see Ronny Funny Face. Everyone feeling inspired — we quickly made our way along a paved trail and walked to see the troll about a mile (there and back).   From Dunton Locks County Park we drove to the future location of Ortenstone Gardens to see Barefoot Frida troll. This trail was more involved with climbing up and down hills, and over big granite rocks. Fortunately, everyone was up for the challenge and made it there (and back) safe and sound.  After Seeing Barefoot Frida, we checked the itinerary and decided we better start back home. Along the way, we stopped in Frazee to see one more troll — Jacob Everear. The hike to Jacob Everer was along the Otter Tail River in Wannigan Regional Park and requires about 1.5 mile hike (there and back) to reach. It was the longest (but quite flat) and everyone was up for this last effort to see the troll. We headed back towards the city stopping in Little Falls for a delicious dinner at Sanchez Burrito. We were all very hungry and satisfied in our day long adventure. Overall, a great day, with lots of fun and laughter, and time spent together in nature. If you are interested in visiting the Trolls there is great information in the link below. The trolls were introduced to the public in mid-June, and are a permanent installation.

Oh, What a Night! With your help, we raised over $350K!!!! Thank you to everyone who helped to make our gala special. Take a moment to read about the event and learn more about Living Well and the people who make it so delightful. A few highlights: - There were over 50 people from our homes there to support the gala and celebrate. - The mission video was a standout moment, and everyone learned more about our Therapy Department. - Find out what work anniversary Therapy Services Supervisor, Rhonda Arendt, celebrated on September 10. - Celebrate our Dreammaker Award Winners As of right now we have raised over $350K, but money is still trickling in as attendees are contacting their employers for company match programs. It is not too late to donate, so if you are interested you can follow the link in the blog to make a donation to the gala. Thank you all for your continued support! https://lnkd.in/gVZmJCtT

We’re getting ready for a party!! Our Transforming Lives Gala is tonight. You can livestream with the link below. Please watch, and support Living Well. Thank you to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, staff, families and people supported. We appreciate you!!!! Special shout out to co-chairs, Mike and Tina Douglas! #disabilityawareness #disabilityisdiversity

The Living Well Disability Services Transforming Lives Gala is tomorrow, September 20, 2024. While gala tickets are sold out, you can use the link below to donate to the gala or watch the live stream of the event starting at 6:45PM tomorrow. This year’s program will premiere a documentary video featuring our Therapy Program. It beautifully showcases what life can look like when there are quality staff and services available. You don’t want to miss this exciting event! Thank you to all of our advocates, supporters, families, guardians, staff, volunteers, donors, and everyone committed to the mission of providing exceptional services for people living with disabilities Kevin Pleasant Thomas Gillespie Mike Douglas Tina Douglas #disabilityawareness #disabilityisdiversity https://lnkd.in/gZUUWtP9

Every year we look forward to honoring the Dreammaker winners at our Transforming Lives Gala—and tomorrow is the big day! We love our community partners and believe strong advocacy makes for more inclusive communities. This Year’s Community Partner Dreammaker Award Winner is Senator John Hoffman. Please read the blog to: -Meet Sen. Hoffman -Learn about his contributions to the disability and aging communities -See a list of Gala sposnors https://lnkd.in/gkwbwqu8

Help Us Celebrate Our Amazing Direct Support Professionals during DSP Week, September 08-14, 2024 Without the compassionate and 24/7 care of our DSPs, Living Well would not be able to fulfil our mission of transforming the lives of people impacted by disabilities through the delivery of exceptional services. All of us at Living Well Disability Services are grateful for the generous people who make a career out of caring, and hope you take the time to read this week’s blog about DSP Week! To our staff—THANK YOU for all you do! To our families and guardians—THANK YOU for trusting us to care for your loved ones and to help them thrive. And to everyone who ADVOCATES for disability awareness—THANK YOU for valuing the work our caring staff does every day. Please tell your families and professional networks about the wonderful people who work so hard to care for others. Take a moment to read the blog below. https://lnkd.in/g-WhR4gz

Meet Advent United Methodist Church, This Year’s Volunteer Dreammaker Winner We love our volunteers! And you should, too. Because without the help of generous and supportive people willing to take time out of their busy days to help, we would not be able to meet our mission. Read the blog to: -Learn more about this year’s Transforming Lives Gala Volunteer Dreammaker Winner, Advent United Methodist Church -See photos of the amazing work they do for Living Well -Hear what Volunteer Program Manager, Kathy Anderson, has to say about the winners You can register to buy a ticket for the gala at livingwell.org/gala, then join us on September 20th at the Depot. You can also register to watch online. You don’t want to miss all of our incredible Dreammaker Award winners. #disabilityawareness #disabilityinclusion https://lnkd.in/gPXGtKZp

This Year’s Donor Dreammaker Award Winner — The Hughes Family We are excited to introduce Bernadette (Bernie) Hughes and the Hughes Family, this Year’s Donor Dreammaker Award Winners. This incredible group of advocates are fierce fighters for inclusion and have been advocating for people with disabilities since the 60s. Two of the eight Hughes children were born with disabilites, and back in 2019 Stephen joined the Living Well family, followed by his sister a few years later. Their family was delighted they could be together even away from the family home. For them it was a dream come true! Please take a minute to read about these incredible advocates, and share with your friends and network. We think they are pretty amazing and are pretty sure you will agree! #disabilityinclusion #disabilityadvocacy https://lnkd.in/gea4D9Wi

Meet Mike Johnson, This Year’s Self-Advocate Dreammaker Winner At Living Well, we support and honor the people we serve every day. We think it is important that you understand that while all the people we support may need a little assistance with daily tasks, they also have opinions to share and continuous opportunities to advocate for themselves and others. Take a moment to read about this year’s Transforming Lives Gala Self-Advocate Dreammaker Award winner, Mike Johnson. He is quiet by nature, but over the past few years has really blossomed after getting the chance to work his DREAM JOB!! Please register below to buy a ticket for the gala. Then join us on September 20th at The Depot. Or you can register to watch it online. You don’t want to miss Mike and the other Dreammaker Award winners. #disabilityinclusion #selfadvocate https://lnkd.in/gn3nstkR