Options continues to move our mission forward by expanding opportunities to partner with available community resources. Recently an existing partnership took a new turn with AmeriCorps RSVP volunteers.
AmeriCorps RSVP is a non-profit program that recruits volunteers and matches them with partnering agencies based on volunteers’ interests. These volunteers work together with the agencies to further their business, mission, and strategic initiatives. Options has partnered with RSVP in the past by utilizing volunteers for various one-time and ongoing events. However, pandemic safety protocols suspended these mutual goals until recently when the partnership was revisited.
Volunteers with the BookEnds, Reader’s Theater program were invited to present to Options’ participants. BookEnds, Reader’s Theater are volunteers who read from a selected list of books while acting out the voices of the characters in the book. The volunteers were engaging, interactive, and offered educational content that is unique to Options’ participants. The individuals enjoyed the experience, evident in their smiles and gratitude when thanking the volunteers for coming.
Following the reading sessions, RSVP volunteers asked thoughtful questions about the Options’ program, providing them with increased awareness of Options’ mission and presence in the community. We are grateful for these continued partnerships that inform and educate community members about the important work Options offers in our community.
If you or someone you know have partnership opportunities that might be of interest to the Options organization, please contact us through our website at www.optionsincmn.org or by calling the front office at 763.263.3684.
Lupulin Brewing Company + Options, Inc.
This past fall, Jeff Zierdt, co-founder and President of Lupulin Brewing Company, connected with Options, interested in providing employment opportunities. Now four individuals from Options work at Lupulin Brewing weekly, cleaning their new event space, The Stave. The Lupulin Brewing team is so welcoming and provide an awesome atmosphere to work in. They quickly became the most popular job site to work at!
Options clients on their experience at Lupulin Brewing Co.:
Andrea: “I love it and I love to see all the employees. I wipe tables, chairs, and the furniture.”
Tanner: “Love it, it is a great place to work. Nice people. I sweep and mop.”
Aaron W.: “Everyone is so nice.”
POURS FOR A PURPOSE
In December, Lupulin raised $1 from every beer poured on Thursdays to support Options, Inc. as part of their ongoing "Pours for a Purpose" initiative.
Last year Lupulin raised almost $13,000 spread across 19 different non-profits, from both their Big Lake and Sioux Falls taprooms, with the support of our amazing community enjoying beers on Thursdays.
Options, Inc. was pleased to receive a check for $732 from Lupulin raised during the month of December 2022.
A-Team provides update on Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages
The A-Team Minnesota, an advocacy organization that supports people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) by encouraging advocacy efforts, increasing public awareness, and providing advice to those who care for and create policies for people with special needs, recently provided an update on the January meeting of the Minnesota Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages.
Unfortunately, the consultants hired by the subcommittee to meet with and conduct surveys during the summer did not go to center-based work options to interview those most affected, their families and supports. In May, A-Team MN had recommended the consultant go to those work options to talk with disabled people who choose it.
After only allowing testimony of people opposed to 14(c) and refusing to listen to the voices of those who choose a 14(c) option, the task force proposed that the legislature move forward to end the use of subminimum wage by August 1, 2025, to allow for a phased implementation period overseen by a statewide transition manager
If you're interested in learning more and getting engaged with the A-Team's advocacy work, please send an email to ateam.mngroup@gmail.com.
Staff profile -- Kelly Dilger, Chief Financial Officer
I am one of many employees at Options, Inc. in which Options has “grown their own.”
But, first let me tell the story of how I found Options, Inc. I moved to Big Lake, MN (aka “the frozen tundra”) in 2005 from Jesup, Georgia. I had just completed my Bachelor’s degree in psychology at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina where I also played NCAA Division I soccer for four years.
After college I knew I wanted to use my degree in psychology. I found a job advertisement for a position as an instructor where I would assist adults with barriers to employment in learning vocational skills at a center-based or community setting for a company called Options, Inc. I was hired in 2007 and after working just a few months, I knew Options was a perfect fit. However, I had also applied for UW-Oshkosh’s Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology Graduate Program and was accepted. So, I left Options to continue my education. When I graduated in 2009, the country was in an economic crisis. Companies were in hiring freezes and people were losing their jobs. Landing a job as an I-O psychologist would be impossible until the economy improved, so I settled on a part-time position as a Customer Service Representative at Best Buy. A year went by and I realized I missed working at Options and was re-hired in October of 2010.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 12 years since I began my journey with Options, Inc. I was hired as a job coach and worked primarily on the production floor. The following year, I was given the title as the Community Employment Coordinator, and I was responsible for assisting with job development and coordinating job crews. In 2013, I moved into a management role as the Community Employment Director where I supervised the Supported Employment team. Then in 2017, Options’ Chief Financial Officer of 30 years was planning her retirement and approached me with an opportunity to become Options’ next CFO. After completing 12 months of training I transitioned into the role as the new CFO. As I am heading into my fifth year as the CFO at Options I am grateful for the support and growth that Options has given me throughout my career. Every year has brought a new challenge and I am fortunate to be working with a talented team, as I wouldn’t be able to continue to shape the strategic plan and financial goals of this company without them.
Outside of my work with Options, my husband and I are celebrating our 18th year of marriage this spring and have two daughters who keep us busy with playing multiple sports. In the fall, I help coach the Big Lake Girls’ Varsity soccer team. When we aren’t running our kids to practices or games we like to enjoy camping, traveling, swimming, and watching movies together as a family.
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