In This Issue of Merrick, Inc.'s Navigator: |
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Merrick's Holiday Parties Delight Clients
New Crew at Cub Foods WBT
Client Spotlight | Mike R.
Last Call for Year End Giving
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Please forward this message to your friends and family to spread the word about how people can support our programs for adults with disabilities. |
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Merrick's Holiday Parties Delight Clients |
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After last year’s more subdued holiday celebrations, Merrick, Inc.’s 2021 Holiday Parties on Thursday, December 9, marked a return to form as they reinstated many beloved traditions that long-time clients have come to associate with the holiday season.
Nearly 340 clients and staff attended the larger of the two parties held at Jimmy’s Event Center where they received a special visit from Santa, a professional portrait, and a catered lunch. In addition to these time-honored traditions, two new activities were introduced: Bingo and balloon artists. Both proved very popular with clients who were delighted by the bright colors, twisting skills, and custom creations of the balloon artists and were excited to play a few (or several) rounds of Bingo in hopes of winning a prize. While clients danced the day away at Jimmy’s, about 95 clients and staff attended a smaller party at our Vadnais Heights location where they, too, received a catered lunch, played Bingo, and were visited by Santa and balloon artists. In light of the challenges faced by many these past two years, clients and staff alike were excited to have a reason to celebrate and to do so in a familiar way.
As always, this party wouldn't be possible without the support of the Holiday Party Elves (a group of volunteers) and the many donors whose contributions helped us bring the magic of the holiday season to the clients at Merrick. Thanks again to everyone who pitched in making this a day clients look forward to all year long.
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New Crew at Cub Foods WBT |
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Merrick, Inc., is proud to announce that a new work crew is now serving Cub Foods of White Bear Township. In fact, you may have already seen Merrick’s newest crew hard at work and didn't know it. During the week, these four clients can be seen wiping tables, stocking shelves, and cleaning refrigerator doors at the Cub Foods located at the Meadowlands Shops. If you happen to spot one of them during your next visit, don’t hesitate to congratulate them on their new job and let them know that you appreciate their work. |
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Client Spotlight | Mike R. |
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Most days, Mike can be found in Room B of the Enhanced Services area at Merrick, Inc., packing x-rays bags or assembling rivets together with a handful of other clients. Though Mike has aspirations of someday stocking shelves at a grocery store such as Cub Foods or Kowalski’s Markets, he admits that his current job is a “good thing to have for the time being.” However, a deeper dive into Mike’s story reveals that just a few short years ago working in Room B was also just an aspiration, but you would never know it based on Mike’s unassuming demeanor.
Merrick was not Mike's first day program. However, that didn’t make Mike’s first few months any easier as he adjusted to a new work environment and tried different types of jobs. He started out in bailing but soon switched to Enhanced Services Room A where he could work in the privacy of his own room with few distractions and a smaller client-to-staff ratio.
Progress initially remained slow for Mike. Frustration on the job often led to periods of shutting down and refusal to work, but he was determined to prove his self-worth. Under the guidance of Merrick support staff, Mike’s determination slowly but surely paid off. Outbursts became less frequent to the point of almost non-existent. He exchanged his typical black hoodie for a button-down flannel shirt. His change in behavior was so drastic that it soon became apparent that Mike no longer required the same level of support and was moved to Enhanced Services Room B where he would work alongside others instead of in his own individual room.
These days it’s hard to imagine Mike as anything but the smart, kind-hearted, dapper young man that everyone knows him to be today: Mike, the one who loves listening to classic 70s and 80s rock music; Mike, the one who dreams of traveling abroad and learning about the different cultures of the world; and Mike, the one who wants to help lost pets reunite with their families. And yet, when he first started at Merrick in 2018, many of these defining characteristics were not so apparent.
Though Mike still dreams of working in the community, he can’t deny that he’s found a level of fulfillment at Merrick that he’s never known before during his adult life. When not behind a desk in Room B, Mike enjoys participating in life enrichment activities with his favorites being horticultural therapy and Upstream Arts workshops. During horticultural therapy sessions, Mike often takes on the special task of refilling Merrick’s bird feeders!
Life has been a wild ride for Mike since coming to Merrick as he’s slowly discovered who he is and what he’s capable of, and the best part is it’s not over. Between Mike’s determination and Merrick’s guidance, anything is possible.
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Last Call for Year End Giving |
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In the three years that Mike (see Client Spotlight) has been at Merrick, he has slowly discovered more about himself than he ever imagined. But he didn’t do it alone. Mike had daily support and guidance from Direct Support Professionals and he had you. You, the generous donor, helped Mike grow into the young man that he is today, and it will be you who will ensure that he continues to receive that same level of support as he further embarks on his journey to empowerment.
With less than 10 days before the new year, now is the time to step up and make a difference. The average daily cost of support services at Merrick equals $80 per person while the government reimbursement is only $75. This creates a $5 gap that becomes significant when multiplied by 375 clients. You can help close this gap with your donation to Merrick. No matter the size, your gift makes a difference. It makes a difference to Mike and to the many other clients that rely on us for support.
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Our mission is to empower adults with disabilities through social and vocational opportunities, and to guide them toward realizing their goals and dreams. |
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3210 Labore Rd, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
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