PROACT Post
Enhancing Lives ... Exploring Opportunities ... News from ProAct, Inc.
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This summer: Walgreens REDI back
Virtual Day at the Capitol March 8
Satisfying careers: check our openings
February programming highlights
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Strong follow-through in Production Skills Exploration Services |
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The ProAct service boasts a 100 percent completion rate and has seen steady interest since its introduction in the spring of 2021. Production Skills Exploration Services are flexible in length, from 40 to 60 hours, and focus on product handling and assembly, math and reading skills.
Multiple factors have made the service effective and solidified commitment from the people involved, explains ProAct Employment Development Manager Anna Cahak.
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REDI, set, go for Walgreens in July |
One of the stronger employment business partnerships is set for a re-ignition this summer as ProAct engages again with Walgreens’ REDI.
The Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative typically trains “externs,” in groups of three or four, building up skills and competencies for work in the retail environment, explains ProAct Employment Development Manager Anna Cahak.
“It’s a great opportunity to increase skills so people can join a pool of qualified and diverse talent for Walgreens stores to consider when they have openings,” she said. -more-
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By the numbers | January 2022 |
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655 participants served
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38,674 hours of service
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Change for the better, participants respond to life enrichment |
ProAct participants Sharleen G. and Nancy D. |
Several ProAct participants in Red Wing made the move recently from the production floor work to enrichment programming and are finding fulfillment in their daily activities and social engagements. Here are some comments:
"I'm having the best time of my life. I love it." -Sharleen G.
"I love it." -Nancy D.
"I really like it." -Angela R.
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ProAct honors staff who go above and beyond the call of duty with gifts and recognition. Kudos in January went to:
Tyson Her
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"Thank you Stephanie for all you, and everyone does at ProAct. My sister Patty W. just loves being there. It is so fulfilling for her. Our family is so grateful for all that you and your organization does, and so is Patty, for sure!"
-Carol G., sister and guardian
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee |
Careers with satisfaction |
Passionate about helping others? Are your talents being fully utilized? ProAct is hiring. Apply now!
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Sign up for Disability Services Virtual Day at the Capitol - March 8. ProAct is a member of the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR), which is organizing a 10 a.m. rally with ARRM and the Best Life Alliance. The remainder of the day is set for people to meet with their legislators.
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Connect with us on social media |
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'Road to Recovery' Annual Report coming February 28 |
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Watch for ProAct's 2021 Annual Report on February 28. The “Road to Recovery” themed publication recaps the fiscal year, key demographics, financial statements, story highlights, donor lists and more. |
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Enrichment program highlights for February |
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Exciting venues, Super Bowl, Valentine's, Olympics engage, enthrall |
Activities were more than plentiful across ProAct’s four sites in February and late January.
Walking through the flowers from the Winter Carnival at the Como Park Conservatory, participants experienced the rain forest and the park’s famous sloth and anaconda, explains Program Manager Stephanie Osman. Class groups ventured to the Midtown Global Market to take in some art and food from other cultures, and a Mall of America visit was in the works, as well as a trek to the Science Museum of Minnesota. Individuals learned about the Hubble Telescope through an Omnimax Theater film. Earlier, groups toured the State Capitol, rode on the carousel at Maplewood Mall and were "walkin' away the pounds."
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Super Bowl drives competitive spirit
In Shakopee the Super Bowl captivated many individuals who made predictions and crafted helmets to place on their “side,” said Program Manager Ali Brown. “You can almost feel their excitement when they make a basket or catch a football,” she said. A number of participants here are involved in the Special Olympics and take sports competitions seriously. Sam B. said he has fun watching the big game, eating pizza and chicken kickers and drinking pop.
Red Wing participants discussed the game, commercials and half time show the day after the Super Bowl. They made crafts to display ahead of the game, explains instructor and DSP Lori Clemens.
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Be my Valentine?
Valentine’s Day fit well with Red Wing's Kindness class as participants made 40 Valentines to share with people at four senior living facilities, two of them in Wisconsin. A party on the actual holiday included bingo and prizes, as well as Valentine’s cookies on the snack cart, Clemens explained. And to top it all off, individuals made Valentine crafts and cards for family and friends.
Valentine boxes were made by people in groups at the Shakopee site, said Brown. Individuals paraded around to showcase their creations, followed by cookies and a dance. “Dances are a blast, and funds from our Valentine’s auction sales will help us purchase our very own speaker with lights and amped up microphones,” she said.
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Olympics for Shakopee, Hudson visits
The 2022 Winter Olympics also captured attention in Shakopee, where participants tracked medals, watched highlights and some of the individual games. They flew the U.S. flag, sported tattoos and offered up cheers.
People from ProAct’s easterly site in Hudson, Wis. made a visit to Shakopee and people enjoyed interacting together, said Osman. Shopping was another theme, with weather keeping individuals closer to home base. They perused items at Target and Goodwill, and had lunch at Culver’s. There was a Mall of America visit and they planned to tour the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Earlier, a Hudson group visited Cabela's. -more photos-
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Supporting our Mission with your talent, time, treasure
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Contact ProAct if you are interested in becoming a volunteer!
Fast and easy online giving is available at proactinc.org and you can designate your gift to fulfill a specific need or help a ProAct location. From vehicle expenses to program and equipment needs and our endowment fund, there are numerous opportunities.
If you prefer to give by check, you can mail to ProAct, Inc.
3195 Neil Armstrong Blvd., Eagan, MN 55121. Thank you for your support.
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