News Headlines

​Note:  Tracy Bird is a data entry clerk served in Rise’s Data Ability program. This article was published in the June issue of Access Press.
By Tracy Bird
Whether state lawmakers are at the Minnesota State Capitol or in

Over the years, Rise team members and the agency itself have received many accolades and awards. But we consider those bestowed upon us by our peers as among the most valued.
Rise has three terrific honorees of the 2019 MOHR (Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation) awards which were presented

Rise’s 8th annual Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala is set for Monday, October 21 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park, from 5 – 8:30 p.m.
It’s a fun evening of special games and prizes, auctions, awards and honors, wonderful food and great people! Tickets are available online.
For sponsorship

For most Americans, the holidays are a time to enjoy spending time with family and friends, reflecting on the past year, and dining on great food!
But when the average Thanksgiving meal costs $48.90 per family, it can cause financial stress to many of the people Rise serves. Enter our

Filling an ever-growing need in the community for day services for people who no longer wish to work due to their disability or their age, Rise offers five Adult Day Programs in the Twin Cities.
People, ages 18 through retirement, benefit from and enjoy participating in day activities, creating friendships,

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently kicked off the new fiscal year with a conference and awards ceremony at the Shoreview Community Center. Employment Consultant Mohamed Daher from Rise’s Pathways for Refugees program was proud to accept the state’s 2018 Outstanding Refugee Program Excellence Award on behalf of

More than 450 Rise team members, people we support, community partners, family and friends, and supports attended the 7th Annual Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala held October 22 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park. It was a festive evening of great food, fun and games, special honor awards, FUNdraising, and much,

Due to the increase in requests for services, Rise has added its fifth new Adult Day Program (ADP) at the New Brighton Community Center.
Rise’s ADP services are fully integrated in community settings, including at the Emma B. Howe Northtown Family YMCA in Coon Rapids, the Fridley Community Center, the

All of us at Rise extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Larry Pietrzak who died August 20. Larry had been a valued member of Rise’s Board of Directors since 1991, and through those many years, gave us countless hours of his vast financial knowledge and experience, as well

Between greeting guests, answering the phones, and responding to people’s immediate needs, Receptionist Jean Stephenson was kept hopping at the front desk of Rise’s administrative offices in Spring Lake Park. Considered by Rise team members and the people we serve to be “the heart” of this office, it was a

Rise added 155 team members and began serving an additional 500 people this summer.
ESR, a nonprofit agency which provides services to people throughout Washington County, Minnesota, and St. Croix County, Wisconsin, officially became a subsidiary of Rise on July 1. The two agencies will transition into a full merger

For the past 40-plus years, Mary Anderson has devoted her professional career supporting people with disabilities. In her many different positions in Minnesota organizations, she has developed exemplary program services, advocated for systems change, served on local and statewide organizational boards and committees, and mentored many men and women.
In

Rise is pleased to welcome three new community volunteers to its Board of Directors to serve three-year terms.
Patrick (Pat) Deeg of Deephaven said he was interested in serving Rise “because of the wide range of services and programs it offers people with disabilities or other life challenges. With such

Culminating 40-plus years of working with people who have disabilities, Melinda Dannley retires from Rise on June 1, as the director of Rise’s Community Integration and Life Enrichment programs.
“I’ve had a wonderful career,” Melinda said. “I have enjoyed building relationships with the people we serve, their families and supporters,

Nominated by fellow team members, three Rise managers were honored with the first Excellence in Leadership award at an end-of-year managers’ retreat. This is what the nominators had to say in part about the honorees: Mental Health Program Manager Becky Rother (left) with SES-Anoka County “is an amazing leader. She […]

If you’re a parent, an athlete, or someone who just likes good fruit juice, chances are you’ve enjoyed a juice pouch produced at the American Beverage Company (or ABC, formerly Faribault Foods) in Elk River. ABC is a Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3 certified beverage manufacturing company that produces […]

From the time we were still very young, people have asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Our answers probably have changed several times over the years, but the older and more serious we became, perhaps the more difficult it was to reply.
Most people base

Dozens of DeafBlind people from around the Twin Cities gather once a month for food, fun, and mutual support.
Says club host and founding member, Steve Oglesbee: “The DeafBlind Club was set up so that people could chat and play games. With the help of several organizations, DB Club has

Rise is honored to have more than 100 volunteers who have served 3,000-plus hours this year to help us achieve our mission of unlocking potential and opening doors to success.
We are thankful for our volunteers who:

Prepare the people we serve for their important job interviews by conducting

Posted on Oct 06, 2017
It was a fun and festive evening! We want to thank everyone who helped make our Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala a huge success! Generous corporate and individual sponsors, 500-plus guests, and donors helped us raise much-needed funding so that we can assist people in living life as a great

Posted on Sep 05, 2017
 
Rise and Aggressive Industries have been “good neighbors” since both companies opened their doors across the street from each other on Sunset Road in Spring Lake Park in 1971 and 1972, respectively. Through the years, Rise and Aggressive have also developed a mutually beneficial working

Posted on Sep 05, 2017
 
When the kids from Fridley Public Schools’ Tiger Club delivered a large, brightly decorated poster they made welcoming Rise’s Adult Day Program to the Fridley Community Center (FCC) on August 1, Program Director Judy Andersen knew for sure this was going to be a great

Posted on Sep 05, 2017
 
In its 25 years of services, the Minnesota Employment Center (MEC) for People Who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing has assisted more than 2,000 men and women plan their careers, find great jobs, and retain successful employment.
MEC was co-established by Rise, Minnesota

Posted on Jun 19, 2017
Every year at Rise’s Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala, we take the opportunity to recognize some really amazing men and women who are served in our programs. The public is invited to nominate people for this honor.
Do you know someone who has overcome obstacles and challenges and

Posted on Jun 01, 2017
 
What a perfect way to celebrate with friends and family, treat your child’s sports team, or entertain customers! Rise is auctioning off online a 24-person suite to watch the Minnesota Twins take on the Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 7:10

Posted on May 15, 2017
 
Gather your friends and make your way to the 3rd annual Tapping into Possibilities event which will held Monday, July 17, 5:00-7:30 p.m., at Bauhaus Brew Labs in Northeast Minneapolis. Enjoy a fun evening of delicious food and drink, live music and great people!
You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at

Posted on May 02, 2017
 
It was an evening of talent extravaganza! Our audience of friends and family enjoyed a great show featuring singers, dancers, poets, and instrumentalists! Rise’s second annual Celebrate Talent showcased men and women served by Rise and a team member who regaled us with a wide

Posted on Apr 12, 2017
 
Based on an intensive, three-day survey conducted by four CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) surveyors, Rise was awarded its eleventh three-year certification, the highest level of accreditation.
Surveyors thoroughly examined and evaluated all aspects of the agency, including Rise’s management system, employment programs and

Posted on Feb 20, 2017
 
A COLLECTIVE ‘WOW!!’ was heard at the recent unveiling on February 14 of a most spectacular collaborative Art for All project. The expansive five-piece mosaic display stretches down the hallway leading to the production floor at Rise’s Spring Lake Park administrative offices. It was

Posted on Feb 20, 2017
 
“MY ULTIMATE DREAM JOB would be working for a sports organization doing data entry or communications,” said Mike Sack, who currently works as a data entry clerk for Rise’s Data Ability program in Bloomington.
Mike is one of several job-seekers receiving customized career planning

Posted on Feb 20, 2017
 
The 2017 Legislative Session is underway!  This is a very important year to pass legislation related to services for people who have disabilities. Rise President Lynn Noren like to share a few key priorities and ask for your support in helping us advocate for

Posted on Nov 29, 2016
 
When Natoli Bulga moved his family almost 8,000 miles from Ethiopia to Minnesota, his hopes were high and his dreams were big. He knew the transition to this new life would be challenging, but Natoli felt his family’s future would be brighter in the United

Posted on Nov 29, 2016
 
The gavel fell on Rise’s first-even online auction with a final bid of $980 for the Not-So-Tiny Playhouse!
Some lucky children will soon be enjoying this specially designed playhouse, swing and patio set which was generously donated by Hoffman Weber Construction of Minneapolis. It

Posted on Sep 29, 2016
 
Rise is honored to be chosen and participate in the Greater Twin Cities United Way’s  Art for All collaboration. Rise is already a strong proponent of how art can positively impact people’s lives so we are excited to partner with COMPAS and GTCUW on

Posted on Aug 31, 2016
 
Rise is pleased to recognize two of its direct support professionals, Sue Krause and Ebony Johnson, both of whom received statewide awards for their exemplary work. The awards were presented by the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR) at their annual training conference held

Posted on Aug 29, 2016
 
Oliver McDowell is proud that his work helps ensure that hospital patients are well-cared for. He is a Central Processing Technician I and sterilizes medical equipment at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in downtown Minneapolis.
To get this good job, Oliver participated in Project

Posted on Aug 02, 2016
 
August 2 is Rise’s 45th anniversary! In our yearlong celebration, it’s been a fun opportunity to look back through our history, track our growth and development, honor key players in our successes, and recognize many of the hard-working men and women we serve.
 

Posted on Jul 20, 2016
 
Special thanks to everyone who attended Rise’s 2nd annual Tapping Into Possibilities which was held July 18 at the Bauhaus Brew Lab in Northeast Minneapolis. This “friend-raiser” was a really fun evening with fabulous food, fun music, great donated raffle prizes, specialty beers — and lots

Posted on Jun 21, 2016
 
Dashawanda Cole was having suicidal thoughts. “I didn’t think I’d actually act on them,” she recalls, now 18 months later, “but I was scared of myself. I didn’t feel safe.” She went to HCMC’s Acute Psychiatric Services and asked for help.
There, at the

Posted on May 25, 2016
 
Andrea Murphy and Blake Elliott were elected to Rise’s Board of Directors in March.
Andrea is a commercial lender with Northeast Bank where she has worked for 14 years. “I appreciate Northeast Bank’s commitment to the community and our dedication to volunteerism.”
Andrea is

Posted on May 25, 2016
 
As human services professionals, the people we serve, and their supporters may likely agree, this is a time of unprecedented change in terms of public policies at all levels related to supports for people who have disabilities.
Rise President Lynn Noren (LN, left) sat

Posted on May 25, 2016
 
The Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce honored Rise with its 2016 All Star Business Award as the Nonprofit of the Year at the Chamber’s annual gala.
Rise was cited for its demonstration of superior performance, quality, and consistency in the pursuit of its

Posted on May 17, 2016
 
Please mark your calendar for the 5th annual Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala which will be held Thursday, October 6, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.
You can register online for this festive event.
If you would like information regarding sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and registration, please contact Noel

Posted on May 16, 2016
 
Rise’s first-ever Celebrate Talent show, held May 3 at Fridley High School Auditorium, was an extraordinary event with 26 performers singing, dancing, telling stories, playing instruments — and most of all, having fun!
Very special thanks to Auditorium Coordinator Dan Wold and ASL Interpreter

Posted on May 09, 2016
 
Gather your friends and family and join us on Monday, July 18 at Bauhaus Brew Labs at 1315 Tyler St. in Nordeast Minneapolis for the 2nd annual Tapping Into Possibilities!
Your $15 cover charge includes: $5 delicious craft beers, fabulous appetizers donated by local restaurants (including Big Marina Deli,

Posted on Apr 05, 2016
 
Each Tuesday now through the end of the legislative session, May 10, The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) will host ‘Tuesdays at the Capitol’ from 10-11 a.m. in the DOT Cafeteria, 395 John Ireland Boulevard in downtown St. Paul.
The purpose is to

Posted on Mar 14, 2016
 
BRIAN HOFFMAN HAD a vision for his painting of the Statue of Liberty and appreciated the professional tips on acrylic techniques he received from Art Therapist Stacy Gross. He plans to hang the painting on his living room wall at home.
“I like to

Posted on Mar 07, 2016
 
by Zoe Leonard-Monrad, New Sector Fellor
AS A FELLOW WITH New Sector, an AmeriCorps program focused on nonprofit professional development, I am working for eleven months to develop a volunteer program at Rise. This will help team members effectively tap into the talents and

Posted on Feb 23, 2016
 
BRIAN HOFFMAN HAD a vision for his painting of the Statue of Liberty and appreciated the professional tips on acrylic techniques he received from Art Therapist Stacy Gross. He plans to hang the painting on his living room wall.
“I like to paint because

Posted on Feb 23, 2016
 
IT PROMISES TO BE a year of celebration as Rise recognizes its 45th anniversary with several special events and projects scheduled throughout 2016.
We kicked off the year with our 45 Stories for 45 Years series. Almost every week, we will tell you about

Posted on Feb 23, 2016
 
AS ALL YOUNG PARENTS do, John and Pam Woodruff had hopes and dreams for their firstborn son, Ryan. But their original plans took a sharp turn when at nine months old, doctors diagnosed Ryan with cerebral palsy, a hearing disorder, and likely, an intellectual

Posted on Feb 18, 2016
 
Rise’s Pathways office in South Minneapolis was filled with MFIP / welfare-to-work job placement counselors and other Rise team members, job-seekers (many of whom are refugees and immigrants), and HR representatives from Home Depot, Delta Global Services, and LSG Sky Chef for the opportunity

Posted on Dec 10, 2015
 
The halls of the Mounds View YMCA are bustling with activity with two busloads of kids on a school retreat as well as a group of older adults arriving for the Seniors Sneakers program. And just down the hall is where Rise’s third Adult

Posted on Dec 10, 2015
 
Since Rise was selected to be one of four agencies in Minnesota to participate in a yearlong demonstration project to implement Person-Centered Thinking (PCT) into all aspects of Rise, the preliminary results have been exciting.
Vice President Tim Dickie explains how PCT is transforming

Posted on Oct 14, 2015
 
On behalf of everyone here at Rise, we thank those who helped make our 4th annual Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala such a huge success!
Through the generosity of almost 500 sponsors and guests, as well as other Celebrate Rise donors, we raised more than $130,000! These crucial funds

Posted on Aug 24, 2015
 
By Luke Kretchmar, New Sector fellow
A nonprofit in its inaugural year in the Twin Cities, another with deep roots across the state, and a young professional focused on creating social impact — these pieces came together to undertake a unique enterprise.
For eleven months,

Posted on Aug 24, 2015
 
The look of awe and wonder on Bri Sanderson’s face is priceless as she turns on a lighted glittery spinning ball all with the gentle touch of a big orange button. This seemingly simple device, the Rise Switch, has proven it can make all

Posted on Aug 24, 2015
 
Michelle Rimmer, an occupational communication specialist (OCS) with Rise’s Minnesota Employment Center (MEC) for People Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, was named MOHR’s Job Coach of the Year for the Twin Cities metro area. MOHR is the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation.

Posted on Aug 24, 2015
 
It was a great way to spend a Minnesota summer Sunday afternoon — good food BBQ’ed by the Coon Rapids North Star Lions, great friends and co-workers, listening and dancing music by DJ John Thorp, generous supporters — and plenty of FUN at Aquatore Park

Posted on Jul 29, 2015
 
Things were “hops’ing” at 612Brew in Nordeast Minneapolis the evening of July 20 when Rise hosted our first-ever Tapping Into Possibilities “friend-raiser.” More than 170 people came to support Rise and enjoyed music from Battlelegs (who donated their time and talent!), good food, great

Posted on May 26, 2015
 
Rise was one of four agencies selected to participate in a yearlong professional technical assistance training program designed to implement and integrate person-centered thinking processes throughout the organization. This groundbreaking demonstration project is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the University

Posted on May 26, 2015
 
Grill Chef Antoine Simon is ‘in the zone,’ happily cooking for a long line of customers  at the Elements Café on the sixth floor of the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul.   “I love sending guests off satisfied after a good

Posted on Mar 30, 2015
 
The Rise Board of Directors elected two new members on March 18 to serve three-year terms.
Rachel M. Smith (right) lives in Brooklyn Center and works for both the Osseo Area School District as an educational support para-professional and for Anoka-Hennepin School District #11 as

Posted on Feb 25, 2015
 
Even in the middle of the night, the FedEx Home Delivery facility in St. Paul is bustling with activity. Ryan Woodruff, shown here, works at a steady pace with his partner sorting small packages which will be delivered throughout the Twin Cities area.
“It was