Welcome to the 1 Year Anniversary Issue of the Options, Inc. E-Newsletter!
Our e-newsletter kicked off in Sept. 2021 to share information with clients, families, partners & community members. We hope you enjoy it! If you know someone who should receive this monthly email, please forward it to them & have them click here to subscribe!

Thank you to Outside Options donors!

You may have noticed the activity happening near our parking lot as part of our property is transformed into a beautiful and useful outdoor space!

Our new outdoor programming space -- Outside Options -- will include walking paths, seating areas, a bocce court, areas for people to plant, native planting areas, green space and areas for people to gather including a large gazebo to provide shelter from the sun and rain.

We have received support from many generous donors -- we'd like to recognize the following:

Big Lake Spud Fest -- $5,000
Big Lake Lions -- $2,500
Elk River Lions Club -- $2,000
Clear Lake Lions -- $2,000
Connexus Energy -- $1,000
Liberty Paper -- $500
North Risk Partners -- $500

We previously recognized the wonderful support of the J.A. Wedum Foundation, who contributed $10,000 to the project.

We are still working towards our goal of raising $150,000. If you know a person, business, or foundation who might like to contribute to this effort, please email us at admin@options-inc.org. Thank you in advance for your support!

Staff Profile: Lynn Krueth, Program Manager

Family/Free Time:
~I am mother to a 9 year old daughter, Hattie and a 16 year old niece, Charlotte. Married for 13 years to Cody
~Volunteer as a Girl Scout leader for Becker Troop 281, mixed age troop with 14 scouts
~Enjoy animals: 9 chickens, 3 cats and a dog
~Hobbies: Reading, outdoor activities, traveling

Education/Work History:
~Graduated with high honors, Magna Cum Laude, from Oak Hills Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology in 2007
~I have worked in the human services field for the last 17 years
~I have worked at Options Inc for 13 years
               ~Began as a Job Coach where main responsibilities included oversight of cleaning job sites, working on the Options workfloor and providing individuals with alternative activities.
               ~Promoted to a Job Coach II and worked with a crew at 10 different cleaning job sites for many years and then transitioned to working with a job crew of 4 individuals that attended Xcel Energy performing various office tasks and light cleaning duties.
               ~Promoted to Program Manager.

Goals:
~Provide meaningful, growing experiences for individuals with disabilities and to continue to provide supports to individuals in manner of their choice.
~Continue to seek inclusion for individuals with disabilities and assist individuals with effectively advocating for their needs, wants and desires.
~Assist with staff confidence growth and encouraging staff to continue with further trainings and opportunities.

~As I have transitioned into different roles with Options, my future goal is to continue to lead staff by being a positive role model through the changes that our field continues to encounter. The importance of continuing to provide work experiences to individuals, career opportunities for staff and growth with Options Inc. is a focal point.

Unified Work Virtual Academy

At the graduation cermony: Thomas Allbrink
Taking part in class: Emily Scheiber (l) and Danielle Bardell (r)

Over the first two weeks of September, a group of seven individuals took part in the Unified Work Virtual Academy, created by Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI). Throughout the live, virtual course, the group learned more about the core soft skills needed for better job performance, engagement, and satisfaction in the workplace. With the help of a in-person facilitator, the virtual instructor was actively engaged with the group through hands-on activities, exercises, and discussions. The group ended the course on September 15 with a graduation celebration.

MDI is a non-profit, social enterprise manufacturer who empowers the career success of people with disabilities. Jeanne Eglinton, MDI Director of Employment Services explains more about their Virtual Academy.

"Unified Work was formed to help MDI achieve its vision of advancing employment for all people with disabilities," said Eglinton. "The goal is to Impact 2500 lives in 2025! The Unified Work Academy is one of the avenues helping us to achieve our goal and that vision. Since its inception in 2018 nearly 500 individuals have gotten the opportunity to participate in a Unified Work Academy Career Skills class through in person or virtual classes. Career Skills classes help people with disabilities develop soft skills that help them in their journey to get a job or to help them retain their job. We are happy to partner with Options to make the class happen."

Time to vote: Early voting starts this Friday!

Early voting in Minnesota begins on Friday, Sept. 23 -- giving Minnesotans a chance to ask their ballot anytime now through Election Day on Nov. 8.

This year Minnesotans will vote for U.S. Congress, Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Senate and State Representative. All 201 seats in the Minnesota House and Senate are up for election.

Candidates will be continuing to seek your vote and this is a great time to be a self advocate. The A-Team Minnesota put together this list of ways you can be an influencer and create awareness of key issues:

Talk to candidates
Tell your story
Invite them to visit your disabled loved one where they work or live
Ask them to support a full array of disability service options
Ask them to oppose elimination of special minimum wage options
Ask them to honor home, work, and life choices of people with disabilities

Get involved and make sure people running for office stand with our community!

For more information about voting early or on Election Day visit the Secretary of State's website here.

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