Fall 2014 1

Fall 2014

BUZZThe. . . ?!

For all things newsworthy at WACOSA

In this issue:

BUZZThe. . . ?!

BUZZThe. . . ?!

First Benefit Breakfast Generates

Awareness and Support

Nahan Printing

Meet Robyn & Kris

Harvesting Happiness Benefit Breakfast

Hear from Donors

Message from Executive Director

Harvesting HappinessHarvesting

2 wacosa.org

Nahan, a commercial print, direct mail and digital solutions service provider in St. Cloud, partners with WACOSA for several types of projects, such as collating, envelope stuffing, labeling, etc. Nahan also employs two WACOSA clients through community employment opportunities.

“The WACOSA group has been a very dependable and energetic group to work with,” says Mike Linn, Nahan Warehouse Department Leader. “They bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic with them when they’re working on our projects. They have also maintained a high level of accuracy with all projects worked on. We definitely plan on continuing to work with the WACOSA group on select projects moving into the future.”

Since 2012, Nahan production work occurring in-house at WACOSA has employed 260 clients, accounted for 17,649 work hours, totaling 5,580,922 pieces.

“Nahan is fabulous to work with,” says Roxanne Ryan, WACOSA Business Development Representative. “They are so supportive of the people we serve.”

“Nahan staff and owners are very friendly and dedicated to working with WACOSA and adults with disabilities,” adds Ann Kennedy, WACOSA Sales and Marketing Manager.

In 2013, Nahan donated a truck to WACOSA that is used for DocuShred and recycling pick up.

Nahan Printing is a Minnesota-based, independent, family-owned, world-class printer committed to providing end-to-end solutions that add value to our clients. Since its inception in 1962, Nahan has specialized in catalog and direct mail printing for industries such as retail, financial services, non-profit and travel. With a client roster of legendary brands, Nahan prints iconic work that represents the highest level of quality and innovation in the industry.

COMMUNITY CORNER

For information about helping your business,contact Ann Kennedy at 320-257-5191

or akennedy@wacosa.org.

For more information about Nahan Printing,

visit nahan.com.

Nahan Helps WACOSA Clients Reach Fullest Potential

& envelope stuffingcollating

labeling

260 clients

17,649 HOURS

5,580,922 PIECES

+

=

Fall 2014 3

CLIENT FOCUS

Prof iles Featuring Successes and Accomplishments

Before coming to WACOSA, Robyn had a few jobs

in the area and was having difficulty consistently

presenting herself in a friendly manner. Over the

past 12 years, she has greatly improved her

customer service skills and is now celebrating

her 10 year anniversary at Olive Garden. In her Host

role, Robyn enjoys seating people and assisting with

takeout orders. She appreciates the help WACOSA has

given her over the years and adds, “I just love pasta!”

Meet Robyn

Meet Kris Once struggling with mobility due to weight, Kris can

now stand and move around while working his entire

shift. Before coming to WACOSA, Kris says he used to sit

at home and eat snacks. Support provided by WACOSA

has not only helped motivate Kris to lose weight, but

also increased his quality of life by building self-esteem

through meaningful work and a steady paycheck.

Would you prefer to receive an electronic version of this newsletter? Please let us know by sending your

email address to info@wacosa.org.

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BUZZ FEATURE

WACOSA Hosts

WACOSA hosted its first Harvesting Happiness Benefit Breakfast on Thursday, September 25 at Automotive Parts Headquarters in St. Cloud. Nearly 60 people gathered for one hour to hear inspirational stories about the determination and success of adults with disabilities, and approximately $17,500 was raised to support WACOSA’s mission.

“We are so thankful for the outpouring of support generated from this first-time event,” says Steve Howard, WACOSA Executive Director. “Hosting a benefit breakfast allowed us a platform to share our story and build relationships that didn’t exist before. We are passionate about helping adults with disabilities improve their quality of life, and we need community engagement to make that happen.”

The highlight of the morning was a brief video featuring moving stories about WACOSA clients and the impact WACOSA has had on their lives. The event also included a warm welcome from Cory Bartlett, APH President, a speech from Steve Howard and a testimonial from Karla Myres, WACOSA Board of Directors.

To view the eight minute video,

visit wacosa.org and select

News & Events.

Ric’s StoryNearly 10 years ago, Ric came to WACOSA after experiencing a traumatic brain injury following an altercation while out with friends during St. Cloud State’s homecoming celebration. The dispute left him in a comatose state for nine months, and doctors did not expect him to recover. Beating the odds, Ric not only recovered, after coming to WACOSA, he also began to thrive. “I’ve come a long way because I’m not a person who gives up,” says Ric. An employee of WACOSA ThriftWorks!, Ric enjoys his work and interacting with the public. “The people at WACOSA ThriftWorks! treat me with such respect,” adds Ric. “My favorite part about coming to WACOSA ThriftWorks! is just being able to be out in the community and do normal stuff.”

HarvestingHappiness

Benefit Breakfast

Fall 2014 5

Lee’s Story

Born with multiple physical and developmental disabilities, Lee’s family was concerned about his transition from school to work. “We were aware of WACOSA, but it still was just the scariest thing,” says Nancy Bartlett, Lee’s mom. After nearly 12 years, Lee still gets excited about working at WACOSA. “He gets thrilled, like someone was going to a birthday party,” adds Nancy. “I am so grateful he has WACOSA to go to and work.”

Table HostsJohn BartlettChris DolneyKarla Myres

Park IndustriesJohn RiordanRachael Sogge

Custom Catering Tell-A-Vision Productions

A Special Thank YouSponsors

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If you are interested in learning more about how you can help WACOSA, contact Crystal Nutt, Development and Communications Manager, or Andrea Harrell, Volunteer Coordinator, at 320-251-0087 or visit wacosa.org.

WAYS TO HELP

Volunteer SpotlightMary Skalsky has been volunteering at WACOSA since November 2013. She assists the staff at WACOSA’s ThriftWorks! by assessing antiques, as well as sorting and pricing donations. Mary enjoys the ever-changing tasks that are involved with volunteering at ThriftWorks! She also enjoys seeing the items she’s cleaned up and priced being purchased. When asked, Mary stated the most rewarding part of volunteering at WACOSA is that “the people I work with are very nice.” WACOSA is thankful to Mary for all of her help at ThriftWorks!

“I am just so thankful for all that WACOSA does for Joel. It’s really gratifying to see WACOSA helping people with disabilities be active in the community. It’s like the scripture says, it’s better to give than to receive.”

Marie has 10 children, 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She and her son, Joel, live in St. Cloud.

Why I Give

WACOSA Benefits from Community Support

WACOSA received a generous $62,000 donation from Auto Parts Headquarters, along with its vendors and John and Nancy Bartlett. Pictured left to right: John Bartlett, Cory Bartlett, Crystal Nutt, Steve Howard.

The Minnesota Women of Today named WACOSA as one of its charities of the year for 2012-2013. The group gave a financial gift and donated a number of goods to WACOSA’s ThriftWorks! Pictured left to right: Leslie Goble, Sue Lemke, Crystal Nutt, Vicki Rockwell.

Young supporters Madelyn and Adam Bertsch had a couple of lemonade stand fundraisers to benefit WACOSA this past year. The two donated over $50 to the organization. Pictured left to right: Madelyn Bertsch, Steve Howard, Adam Bertsch, Crystal Nutt.

Fall 2014 7

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LEADERSHIP TEAMSteve Howard, Ed.D Executive Director

Nancy Betts Quality Assurance Director

Beth Sueker Operations Director

Ellen Whitcomb Human Resources Director

Traci Richter Interim Finance Director

Roxanne Ryan Business Development

Ann Kennedy Sales & Marketing Manager

Crystal Nutt Development & Communications Manager

Andrea Harrell Volunteer Coordinator

Mary Lieser Sauk Centre Site Coordinator

Carrie Peterson Senior Site Coordinator

Board of DirectorsStephanie Kadlec President

John Bartlett Vice President

Anne Redetzke Secretary

Cherie Scofield Treasurer

Jon Archer Sarah AthmannDeWayne MareckJeffrey MurphyKarla MyresLeRoy NorthamAmy SauterDeb StueveSandie Weber

Our Mission: To provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to work and live in their communities.

Since 1963, WACOSA, then incorporated as St. Cloud Day Center for Retarded Children, Inc., has continually progressed, evolving from its early years of providing services for pre-school and school- age children to the development of the community- and center-based services for adults with disabilities you see today. Throughout much of this time, WACOSA has been guided by mission, vision and value statements that underpin the very purpose for our existence. However, in the spirit of ongoing transparency to our clients, stakeholders and to our community, and in the spirit of

continual best practices and process improvement, WACOSA recently took the next step in adopting “The WACOSA Way,” a philosophy that goes deeper into what we believe and one that we will continue to promote and develop in the years to come.

I recently chatted with Stephanie Kadlec, Marketing Manager for Park Industries in St. Cloud and President of the WACOSA Board of Directors. Stephanie shared a number of business perspectives and philosophies adopted by Park Industries that were surprisingly applicable to the human services world in which we find ourselves daily. These principles hold dear ideals related to:

• The Way We Build Our Business • How We Treat One Another • How We Make Decisions • How We Get Better Every Day

At the heart of these ideals lies the need for unprecedented quality of services, understanding our clients and stakeholders as key to our existence, treating everyone with dignity and respect, caring for and forgiving one another, always working ethically and above board and embracing/nurturing more thorough and respectful communication, both internal and external to our organization. It is these values upon which we have developed the newly-drafted WACOSA Way. While we at WACOSA have worked hard since the early 1960’s to fulfill these precepts, committing to an even deeper appreciation for these principles can only serve to further enhance our dedication to the concepts of teamwork and service excellence. We invite you to visit our website at wacosa.org to view the WACOSA Way in its entirety.

310 Sundial Drive P.O. Box 757

Waite Park, MN 56387

Steve Howard

WACOSA Executive Director

The WACOSA Way!

Our Vision: To empower persons of all ability levels to reach their full potential.

We are excited to welcome LeRoy Northam to WACOSA’s Board of Directors. LeRoy has been employed at Jefferson Capital Systems in St. Cloud for 25 years as Director of Information Services and Bank Partner Relationships. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in Michigan with Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. He is also designated by ACA International as a Credit and Collections Compliance Officer. LeRoy was born in Massachusetts, grew up in Michigan and has lived in Minnesota for 26 years.

Welcome to the Board!

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Small BusinessAND

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Small BusinessAND

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Friday, November 28th Saturday, November 29th

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

50% off store-wide, including white tags

PLUS a coupon for an additional 25% off

one item for you and another for a friend

Kick-off for an iPad mini give-away!

Sign up in store starting Black Friday. Drawing to be held on December 22nd.

Barkers More 4 Less100 Roosevelt Road

St. Cloud, MN(320) 257-4766

ThriftWorks!310 Sundial DriveWaite Park, MN

(Just East of Crafts Direct)(320) 257-2920

Expressions of Hope404 E. St. Geramin

St. Cloud, MN (320) 203-7881

SUPPORT SMALL, LOCAL THRIFT STORES!

Donate Local

Donate Local

Shop Local

YOUR COMMUNITY THANKS YOU!

Locally owned and operated thrift stores help keep your funds in your community, support great causes in your community and provide jobs in your community. Donate and shop at any of these fine, local thrift stores and make a larger impact in your community.

1 2 3 Official rules in store. Must be 18 to enter. No purchase necessary.