ProAct Post

ProAct Celebrates Service

ProAct has so many amazing participants and dedicated staff, and this month we were able to celebrate them!

Each year, ProAct celebrates years of service, starting with five years of service all the way up to fifty years!

In Red Wing, we had a special celebration that included honoring participant Larry Bale - who has been with ProAct for five decades! The Red Wing Men's Chorus came to surprise him, and the Republican Eagle even covered his amazing accomplishment in the news! Larry was also interviewed on KSTP's Minnesota Live to talk about his time at ProAct.

We love to see our participants inspiring others!

We are grateful to all of our wonderful participants and outstanding staff for their unwavering dedication to ProAct and our mission. You can check out all of our service award honorees below!

Mark Your Calendars and Support ProAct's New Gym Project for Give to the Max Day!

We are excited for Minnesota's upcoming annual giving holiday - Give to the Max Day - on November 16, 2023.

This year, we will be raising funds to help convert space at our Red Wing facility into a brand new gym for participants. There will be a basketball court, walking track, place for all-abilities yoga, and more!

For our participants, this is will be an important space for them to stay healthy, have fun, and ensure everyone of all abilities can enjoy the space - especially when cold Minnesota winters prevent us from getting outside.

Mark your calendars for November 16, and support ProAct!

Love of Animals Helps ProAct Participant Find a Career

Ben Schuh began his job search with ProAct in June. He was searching for more hours and a job where he could use his extensive knowledge of animals and their care to find success. At Pet Supplies Plus in South Minneapolis, Ben found not just a job, but the job that was perfect for him.

After a few applications to local retailers in the pet industry, he was able to connect with Kelsey at Pet Supplies Plus. He was offered a part time stocking job and began training soon afterward.

Ben has flourished in his new role, and Ben’s mom, Terry, shared that Ben is so excited to go to work and happy to talk about his new job, which has been a wonderful change. Ben’s manager and coworkers compliment his hard work and dedication to his job, along with his attention to detail.

Way to go, Ben!

Fall is for Fun Festivals, Football, Friends & Farm Visits

The summer heat turned into crisp autumn days in September, and participants across our ProAct sites enjoyed some fall fun!

In Hudson, participants visited Eagle Eye Farm, a hands-on experience where the group encountered llamas, alpacas, chickens, and pigs. They also headed to the Minnesota Zoo to check out the new Tree Top Trail.

Eagan's September was jampacked with an ice cream social and a Fall Festival celebration, where participants danced, played carnival games, and had their faces painted.

Red Wing had many adventures this month including seeing sculptures at Caponi Park, nature hiking at Spring Lake Park Reserve, and visiting animals at Oxbow Park and Red Barn Farm. Participants also gave back, donating school supplies to the local food shelf.

Finally, in Shakopee, September brought a new class schedule and new classes including Movie Stars, Everything Fall, Music Class, Snack Attack Nation, and Krazy Karaoke. Participants also played fall-themed BINGO and held a dance party with country music.

Check out more photos below!

Fun at the Fall Festival!

Dressing in their "Sunday Best" for football kick-off.

Enjoying the sculptures on a beautiful fall day.

Donating school supplies - ProAct Participants love to give back!

Getting in the spirit for all things spooky at the Halloween Store.

Loving a delicious ice cream treat!

Hudson visited their friend, Matt to check out his new digs!

Dance party in Shakopee!

September by the Numbers

Total Hours: 41,876

Participants Served: 699

Independent Hires: 10

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 Hispanic Heritage Month and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome for the month of September.

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