Participant Advisory Committee Member Advocates for Everyone’s Full Potential

Eagan participant, Abby Winters began her journey with ProAct services in 2021, but has been advocating for herself and peers long before gracing ProAct’s doors. 

Abby is a member of the American Council of the Blind. Each year, the Council has a 10-day convention, and Abby recently took a trip to this year’s convention in Illinois. The convention includes introductions to the latest adaptive technology that will help individuals who are visually impaired or blind. Abby served as a member of the Council’s Board for 2 years and was part of the legislation that encouraged streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, to provide audio descriptions for viewers who are visually impaired or blind.

“Abby is a natural and genuine advocate,” expressed Program Manager, Stephanie Osman. “Her excitement when sharing her knowledge and helpful resources is infectious and our program is better with her in it.” 

It is because of her positive attitude and knowledge that Abby was voted in as a member of ProAct’s Participant Advisory Committee. When asked why she thinks a committee is important, Abby stated, “I listen to people, and it gives reassurance that people have a voice and can speak up for themselves.” 



Abby plans on continuing to advocate for all activities to be available to everyone with disabilities, adding, “I believe that people with disabilities can reach their full potential just as much as people without disabilities.”  

Maintaining Skills Class Takes on a New Volunteer Experience

The Maintaining Skills Group started another volunteer experience with Living Well Disability Services. 

The team will pack freezer meals once a month to be distributed to homes in the Twin Cities. 

Everyone is excited for this next partnership!

Summer is in Full Swing at ProAct!

June was a busy month for ProAct participants, enjoying the beautiful weather and going on new adventures.

In Eagan, several art classes were able to visit Interact in St. Paul to tour their gallery and see artwork created by fellow participants. The Musicals and Film Studies classes ventured to the theater to see The Little Mermaid and Spider-Man-Across the Spiderverse, while the Science focus area had fun creating their own air cannon, a lemon volcano and a balloon car. 

In Shakopee, participants were lucky enough to hit the lake four times, enjoying fishing and pontoon rides at Cedar Lake in New Prague and Riley Lake Park in Eden Prairie. For International Picnic Day, groups went out to not only picnic, but enjoy splash pads and walking trails.

The Red Wing site had fun on the farm in June! At the Red Barn Farm by Hayfield, participants enjoyed seeing the animals and getting to hold and pet some of them. Additionally, at a local Goodhue County farm, participants feasted on a fantastic breakfast that included a delicious egg bake, doughnuts, cheese curds, and, of course, milk! After breakfast, participants were able to go around the farm to see the animals and enjoy the countryside.

Finally, in Hudson, participants celebrated Loving Day on June 12, learning about about Mildred and Richard Loving, a couple who fought to legalize interracial marriage. Another national day celebrated was National Yo-Yo Day, and participants enjoyed creating a craft! Getting outside, participants took a stroll down by the St. Croix River on the Hudson Pier. It was a lovely day, and they even found some shade to rest.

Check out more of ProAct participants' June adventures below!