ProAct Post

A Thanksgiving Message from ProAct

Friends,

It's officially the holiday season, a time to reflect on the many things for which we are thankful. While I could spend multiple newsletters reflecting on all that I am grateful for, I will choose to highlight three things: our amazing staff, our wonderful participants, and getting to be part of an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities.

First - our staff. We could not do what we do without our dedicated ProAct team. Every day, they come to work and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. They are committed to our shared mission, and I hear countless compliments and praise from families and participants about what they do. To our amazing staff in Eagan, Red Wing, Shakopee and Hudson - THANK YOU.

I am also thankful for our participants. Our mission may be enriching the lives of people with disabilities, but they enrich our lives too. The fun they bring, and their commitment to learning, growing and friendship is what makes ProAct an amazing place to work each and every day. To our ProAct participants - THANK YOU.

Finally, I am grateful to be part of a nonprofit with unparalleled mission, vision and values. For that and more this season, I am grateful.

From all of us at ProAct, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Judie Foster-Lupkin

President & CEO

Thank You for Supporting ProAct on Give to the Max Day!

Minnesota's annual giving holiday was November 16, and we want to send a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who donated! This year, donations will be supporting our new gym project in Red Wing. The gym will be a great place for participants of all abilities to stay active and have fun - especially on those cold winter months when it's more difficult to get outside.

Thank you for helping us enrich the lives of people with disabilities!

Still interested in donating to the project? You can give by clicking the button below!

ProAct Production Team Joins Business Expo in Red Wing

Last month, the ProAct Production Team participated in the Red Wing Chamber Business Expo held at the St James Hotel. They were able to connect with other businesses in the area and educate the public on all the services that we provide at both our facilities and in the community.

It was great to hear all the positive feedback from the people attending! The ProAct team was able to strengthen existing relationships, as well as make new connections!

October Brings Spooky Fun and Festivities to ProAct

October came and went quickly, with celebrations across our ProAct sites!

In Red Wing, the week of Halloween included all kinds of costumes, fun games, numerous outings, and even a dance!

Halloween is also one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Shakopee. Participants celebrated with cookie decorating, a coloring contest, pumpkin bean bags, pinning lips on a witch, a costume parade, a pizza lunch and a dance. All participants also received a special Halloween comic from Archie Comics!

In Eagan, participants celebrated National Down Syndrome Month by wearing silly socks. Participants also visited Afton Apple Orchard, where they enjoyed tractor rides, the petting zoo, and a huge playground.

Finally, in Hudson, everyone got into the Halloween spirit by decorating pumpkins, learning about the origins of black cat superstitions, and dressing up in their amazing costumes!

Check out more photos below!

Getting in the Halloween spirit!

Red Wing participants celebrating Halloween.

What fun costumes!

Eagan participants showing off their Halloween crowns!

Visiting the apple orchard on a beautiful fall day.

Pumpkin decorating!

Some participants weren't just celebrating Halloween, but Christmas too!

Having fun with the ring toss game!

Monthly, ProAct’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee focuses on educating staff, participants and stakeholders in areas of culture, diversity and disability. The committee chooses one diversity related area and a disability as its educational focuses for the month. Bulletin boards, e-mails, class projects and other tools are used to educate staff and participants at each of our four locations.

The committee chose Down Syndrome and Global Diversity Awareness for the month of October.

Are you or someone you know looking for a new job? Check out the amazing career opportunities with ProAct, and be part of a team dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities.

ProAct Inc | www.proactinc.org