December 2013 Rise Reporter

RISE REPORTER
December 2013
Vol. 37, No. 2
Published by Rise, Inc., a nonprofit agency assisting people in the Twin Cities and
Greater Minnesota advance their lives throu gh employment, housing, and personal growth
Emma Coldiron says that having a good, stable job at Savers Thrift Store in Columbia Heights
means everything to her. “I can provide for my family and focus on the future.
The best thing about working at Savers is that they push me to go further because they believe in me.”
Savers was named Rise’s 2013 Employer of the Year at Celebrate Rise in October. Read more on page 3.
Generous supporters of the 2013 CELEBRATE RISE
FUNDRAISING GALA help raise more than $67,000!
Proceeds from the festive event will be used to purchase three new vans to take people to work
hil Pejovich, president of Flow
Technologies for Pentair,
welcomed more than 425
community supporters to Rise’s
annual fundraising gala held October
10 at International Market Square in
Minneapolis. Guests enjoyed a fun
evening of great food, music, and
inspiring stories from the people we
serve.
P
Thank you to our
many supporters!
Premier Sponsor
Pentair
Gold Sponsor
Cummins Power Generation
Silver Sponsors
One of the many highlights of the
evening was the premier of a new
video produced by Cummins Power
Generation, promoting the mutually
beneficial working partnership Rise and Cummins have forged over the past
several years. Cummins plans to distribute the video to their many facilities
around the world to encourage managers to find “an organization like Rise”
with whom they can partner to enhance their own workforce. You can view the
video on Rise’s website at rise.org/give.
Jason DeRusha, news
anchor from WCCO-TV,
emceed the evening
during which Rise honored
its 2013 Champions of the
Mission and Rise’ing Stars,
including Aundrea
Splittstoser.
Photos by John Ballew Photography
ATK Federal Ammunition
Jack and Jan Grunewald
Bronze Sponsors
Boeckermann Graftstrom &
Mayer, LLC
Dan’s Complete Automotive
Electrolux Major Appliances
(Freezer Division)
Hays Companies, Inc.
HOM Furniture
Medica
Northeast Bank
Team Personnel
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Tom and Mary Zins
Friends / Table Hosts
John Barrett
Tom and Andrea Haglund
Gene and Nancy Hoff
Hoglund Bus Company
Keystone Search
Liberty Carton Company
Gene Merriam
Lynn Noren
Prowire
Julie Weaver
Special thanks to Art Speaks Artists
Audio Visual & Video Resources
(AVVR)
Balloons Galore & More
Jason DeRusha, WCCO-TV
Forever Floral
Take It To Eleven
2 Rise Reporter
December 2013
ise was proud to recognize
the Emma B. Howe
Northtown Family YMCA as
its 2013 Community Partner of the
Year for the many ways the YMCA
staff support Rise’s Retirement
Alternatives program.
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Emma B. Howe Northtown Family YMCA
is Rise’s COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Chad Lanners with
members of his staff,
including from left
Program Manager
Lynsey Frantz, Kim
Gemlo-Bush, and
Randy Glassman.
In 2011, Rise moved its Retirement
Alternatives program to the Emma
B. Howe Northtown Family YMCA in
Coon Rapids so it could further
expand the program’s health, wellness, and fitness activities. The staff
at the YMCA, led by Group Vice
President Chad Lanners, have
wholeheartedly embraced the program which assists people with their
transition into retirement. Chad and
his Y team work collaboratively with
Rise staff to address the specific
needs and interests of program participants.
"We appreciate how Chad and his
professional YMCA staff have supported Rise in making our Retire-
ment Alternatives program so successful," said Rise President Lynn
Noren. "Participants enjoy and benefit from their involvement in a wide
range of healthy activities, and the Y
members have been most welcoming. We appreciate this great collaborative partnership."
Columbia Heights Savers honored as Rise’s EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
ise was pleased to honor the
Savers Thrift Store in Columbia
Heights as its Employer of the Year.
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Store Manager Alan Hurd (second
from right) leads a team of outstanding managers (here preparing
for Halloween!) who are open to giving people an opportunity to have a
good job, hiring many qualified job
candidates through Rise. The successful partnership built by Rise and
the Columbia Heights Savers store
has caught the attention of other
Twin Cities Savers stores who have
expanded their hiring opportunities.
Savers was lauded for the extraordinary employment opportunities they
provide people who have previously
struggled in the workforce. Yet
District Manager Steve Noon and
Store Manager Alan Hurd claim they
are the ones who have benefitted
the most from partnering with Rise.
“Some of the best employees we
have working have come to us
through Rise job placement specialists,” said Noon. “Savers is not your
run-of-the-mill retail store so it takes
someone with a special skill set and
mental toughness to be successful
here. Rise has done an amazing job
December 2013
finding us people who are just the
right fit.”
“It’s most gratifying to be completely in line with who we are as a corporation, and at the same time, help
change people’s lives through
employment,” said Noon. “The people we’ve hired through Rise and
other community rehabilitation programs are hard-working individuals
who have really helped foster a work
environment in which people are
mutually supportive and have a
great sense of camaraderie and
team work. They’ve had a positive
effect on everyone here.”
Coincidentally, Savers was also recognized as Employer of the Year earlier the same day by the Minneapolis
Placement Partnership (MPP)at its
annual awards luncheon. Heartiest
congratulations to the Savers’ team!
Rise Reporter 3
Meet 2013’s extraordinary RISE’ING STARS
Five program participants are recognized for their contributions to the community,
extraordinary achievements, and pursuit of a self-determined life.
Scott Aho has been making a
difference in the lives of
children for the past six years in
his job as a substitute paraprofessional in Twin Cities area
schools. Students respond to
his energy and enthusiasm as
he challenges them to learn.
Scott loves his job and believes
it’s the perfect fit for his
interests, skills, and talents.
Chris Growska is a man of many
interests and talents. Besides being
a quality-conscious worker at Rise’s
Community Integration Program in
Coon Rapids, Chris uses the many
valuable skills he honed in his
eleven years as a Boy Scout and
Eagle Scout to take on important
community service projects. For
example, Chris started a charity
called Shears to Stop Tears to help
people who have lost their hair due
to illness. Chris not only raises funds
to support this organization, but
donates his own hair to help others.
Jenny Johnson is a hardworker by day, but still finds
time to volunteer with many
local and state self-advocacy
groups. She has developed
great leadership skills through
her many important community
projects and is always willing to
help others advance their own
self-advocacy skills.
Special thanks to members
of the Selection Committees
Aundrea Splittstoser’s
positive and tenacious attitude
has led her to accomplish some
big goals. Aundrea
completed her certified nursing
assistant coursework at the top
of her class, passed her state
exams with flying colors,
obtained two jobs, and works
about 50 hours per week. She
also purchased a car and is well
on her way to earning her GED.
Rise’ing Stars: Robyn West,
Anoka County Commissioner;
Diane Peterson, Cummins Power
Generation; Chuck Morris,
MnDOT; Pam Carlson, The Arc
Greater Twin Cities; Cindy Cesare,
Anoka County; Dan Lentz, HOM
Furniture; and Larry Pietrzak, Rise
Board and Northeast Bank.
Champions of the Mission: Mary
Zins, Rise Board; Lauri Hopkins,
Hays Companies; and Kelly
Maciejny, Delta Dental.
Adam Look gives it his all to
his job at the new Walmart store
in Blaine. He was especially
proud to have been part of the
grand opening ceremonies
earlier this summer when he led
other Walmart associates and
managers in the “Walmart
Cheer” in front of a large crowd
of community dignitaries and
shoppers. Adam continues to
work on his career plan and
achieve his personal goals.
Rise honors its 2013 CHAMPIONS OF THE MISSION
Four of Rise’s professional staff are recognized for their innovation, positive attitude,
resourcefulness and special contributions to champion Rise’s mission
Brigid Alseth, Program Coordinator, Adult Day Program and
Brain Injury Connections Program
Brigid Alseth is the program coordinator for two Rise programs which
provide services for adults with brain injuries. Brigid has worked in the field
for more than 20 years and is a compassionate and competent service
provider who helps ensure that individuals’ specific needs and interests are
met. She is also a great role model and mentor to other Rise staff. Brigid
volunteers in a number of local and state organizations, using her experience
and leadership skills to serve others.
Terri Anderson-Webb, Service Team Leader, Data Ability
Terri Anderson-Webb has worked at Rise for 16 years and currently is a
service team leader with Rise’s Data Ability program. She is a caring, skilled
professional who works to see that people’s individual needs are met and
they are on a path to greater self-sufficiency. Terri is also a staff advisor to the
Rise Consumer Advisory Council as well as an active volunteer in many local
and state organizations, focusing her time and efforts primarily on consumer
self-advocacy issues.
Jennifer Gajewski, Ticket to Work and
Extended Employment Coordinator
Jennifer Gajewski has worn several different work hats at Rise in her 16 years
on staff. Currently, she is the coordinator for Rise’s Midwest Ticket to Work
program. Jennifer provides support and technical assistance to participating
community rehabilitation agencies throughout Minnesota in their efforts to
support people who are receiving benefits from the Social Security
Administration and increase their self-sufficiency and experience long-term
success. In addition to her crucial role with Ticket to Work, Jennifer also
coordinates Rise’s Extended Employment program and benefits planning
services.
Diana Gangl, Case Manager, Internal Services
Diana Gangl works closely with people in Rise’s Internal Services program,
providing them with the support they need to live a more self-determined
life. Diana develops employment opportunities for people to work in
community businesses, carefully matching them with the person’s interest,
skills, and abilities. Diana is also committed to self-advocacy issues, and
serves as a staff advisor to the Rise Consumer Advisory Council.
Gretchen leads the way at St. Cloud
Hospital for others to be hired
Rise and Minnesota Workforce Center staff partnered with hospital
management to implement relatively simple, low-cost accommodations
espite her extensive education and impressive career in
electronic publishing and
graphic design, Gretchen DelFratte,
who has been deaf since birth, was
laid off from her job at a daily newspaper due to downsizing in October
2010.
D
In March 2012, Kathy referred
Gretchen to Rise’s Minnesota
Employment Center (MEC) for Deaf
and Hard of Hearing program. She
began working with Ahavah Mebust
for career planning, job placement,
and occupational / communication
support services. MEC is co-managed by Rise and Lifetrack
Resources, Inc.
“I met with Ahavah every week and
6 Rise Reporter
Gretchen uses lip reading and
speech to communicate with nondeaf (hearing) people; this had
been her main form of communication until age 17 when she began
using American Sign Language
(ASL) as her preferred form of communication.
Gretchen appreciated the fact that
the hospital management took the
initiative to make some communication and procedural changes which
made it easier for Gretchen to learn
and do her job.
Making the tough decision to pursue
a new career field, Gretchen went to
the St. Cloud Workforce Center for
assistance. Kathy Fischer, a career
rehabilitation counselor with
Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation
Services (VRS), helped her connect
with the support services she would
need to successfully re-enter the
workforce.
Interested in the health care field,
Gretchen was given the opportunity
through Rehab services to take
classes for medical coding and
insurance terminology. Armed with
continuing education credits from
MRC’s (Minnesota Resource Center)
Training and Education Center,
Gretchen spent months looking for a
job on her own with no luck.
later in a permanent, part-time distribution clerk position. Never having had an employee who was deaf
before, the staff at St. Cloud
Hospital worked with Gretchen,
Kathy, and Ahavah to see what kinds
of communication accommodations
they could make.
Subsequently, these changes
helped paved the way for two other
new people who are deaf to be hired
to work in other departments. Some
of the accommodations the hospital
made were relatively simple and
ended up benefitting others as well.
she was so helpful. We just kept
looking and applying for jobs -- even
ones I didn’t think I would be qualified for because you never know
unless you try. Maybe one would be
the right job for me.”
For instance, although Gretchen had
an ASL interpreter for orientation
and safety training, it was still challenging. The hospital then captioned the video that all new
employees are required to view.
And she did find a great job as a distributions clerk, filling medical supply orders as requested by medical
staff at St. Cloud Hospital. It’s a job
that she really enjoys because of
both the work itself and the support
she’s received from hospital management and co-workers. And after
being unemployed for nearly two
years, Gretchen appreciates having a
good job.
The hospital is also working on ways
to alert employees who are deaf
when announcements are made
over the public address system such
as carrying beepers with text messaging capabilities. A couple of
Gretchen’s co-workers are learning
basic ASL to help make communication between them easier.
After first working in a float/on-call
position, she was hired two months
“I had the privilege of partnering
with the St. Cloud Hospital to provide education and resources for
supervisors and employees,” Kathy
December 2013
explained. “This helped pave the
way for VRS to continue to work with
Rise and St. Cloud Hospital for the
needs of future employees.”
“Gretchen has been a great addition
to the Distribution Center,” said Keith
Gerding, Distribution/Document
Services coordinator. “She is not
afraid to ask questions or get help if
needed. Her ability to quickly adapt
and face challenges directly has
been helpful during all of the various department moves at the hospital. Gretchen’s interactions with coworkers are very positive and they
enjoy working with her.”
“I’m always going to have communication issues, but my co-workers are
very nice and friendly and are happy
to help,” said Gretchen. “Everyone
gets frustrated looking for a job, but
I can tell you to never give up. I’m
happy that my getting hired here at
St. Cloud Hospital has made it a little easier for others with disabilities
to get hired.”
“I have really enjoyed working with Gretchen over
almost two years,” said
Ahavah. “She has gracefully transitioned into a new
career path while working
with St. Cloud Hospital on
reasonable job accommodations which helped pave
the way for new deaf and
hard of hearing employees. I’m very proud of and
happy for her.”
Gretchen and her husband Stephan, an
apprentice electrician who
is also deaf/ hard of hearing, live
with their two daughters and son,
ages 6 to 11, in St. Cloud. In their
free time, they enjoy watching their
children play sports, going on family
outings, and outdoor activities such
as walking, swimming and biking.
Gretchen and Occupational /
Communication Specialist Ahavah
Mebust meet regularly to see how
things are going at work.
5% Campaign addresses critical issues affecting program services
n the upcoming Minnesota State
legislative session starting in
January 2014, representatives will be
addressing an important issue which
has a direct affect on funding for
Rise programs and staffing, and ultimately the people we serve.
paign, find links to recent news coverage, see what legislators and
organizations are supporting a 5%
rate increase in 2014, view more on
upcoming campaign events, and
find out how to sign an online petition at http://t.co/eBt3KJMarq.
You can also check out the campaign's Facebook page for more
information.
I
You can help make a difference by
getting in touch with your legislative
representative. It’s easy to do and
will only take a few minutes.
The "5% Campaign" is a nonpartisan
coalition of people with disabilities,
older adults, caregivers, service
providers, family members, and
advocates throughout Minnesota.
They are working together to ask
state legislators for a 5% rate
increase for disability and elderly
home and community-based services in 2014. Pay increases will help
retain quality employees, reducing
turnover rates which are detrimental
to the people being served.
Including repeated cuts, 2013 marks
the fifth year in a row that services
for people with disabilities and older
adults have not received rate
increases to keep up with rising
costs.
You can learn more about the cam-
December 2013
To find out who your state senators
and representatives are and how to
contact them, go to
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/
Under How do I... is a link to “Contact
my legislator.”
If you would like more information
about this important issue, please
contact Rise Vice President Tim
Dickie via email at [email protected];
or phone: 763-783-2815.
Rise Reporter 7
Having benefitted from others’ kindness and support, Nathalie
uses her talents and takes every opportunity to give back
hen Nathalie Erickson found
out that staff from Rise’s
Mental Health and Housing
Supports programs were going to
participate in the Anoka County
Project Community Connect, she was
“all in.” There, in one place on one
October day, people who were struggling with homelessness and poverty
could connect with needed services.
W
Thankful for support from Rise and
others, Nathalie is driven to give
back. She seizes every opportunity to
donate her time and talents to help
others by giving free haircuts.
winning local and national competitions and “turning heads”
with her talent.
“I’ve always been insecure, but
styling hair was the one thing I
knew I could do,” said Nathalie.
“The Empire instructors and students were so kind and supportive; I was able to start trusting
people again. I began to believe
everything would be OK.”
“As a professional hair stylist, I think
it’s the best feeling in the world to
pamper someone and give them a
much-needed morale boost. I love to
help them look their best so they can
feel good about themselves. In that
moment, I feel complete, I’m happy.”
Nathalie found a great job at
Fantastic Sam’s in Brooklyn Park
where, in addition to styling hair,
she was recently promoted to
hair product coordinator and
manages the salon’s hair extension program. Nathalie appreciates
her tight-knit group of co-workers
who provide a mutually supportive
work environment in which she’s
thriving.
Nathalie has faced many challenges
in her 27 years, and a few years ago,
found herself a single parent of two
young boys. She was battling depression and anxiety, couldn’t find a job,
and didn’t have a place to call home.
With her sights set on the future,
Nathalie plans to take her manager’s test in February which would
open up new opportunities. She is
also considering becoming a hair
styling instructor at Empire.
Nathalie’s loving extended family
gave her what support they could,
but the young mother knew she
needed to tackle her issues head-on.
Nathalie met Sandy Jorgensen, one
of Rise’s mental health and housing
practitioners, who referred her to
Rise for housing support services.
Staff helped her move into one of
Rise’s transitional housing units in
March 2011 and apply for day care
support so she could attend school
to pursue her dream career.
“I’d love to continue working in a
salon, and in addition, have a free
services salon that would enable me
to give back to the community. I’d
like to provide free hair services,
vouchers for clothing, plus offer
individual and group supports for
people in need.”
At Empire Beauty School in Spring
Lake Park, Nathalie was a stand out,
8 Rise Reporter
Sandy meets with Nathalie weekly
to assist her with her personal and
professional goals. Together they
work on her mental health issues,
budgeting, parenting, and whatever
else comes up in her busy life.
Rise also provides Nathalie with a
rental subsidy for the apartment
Sandy helped Nathalie find. It’s in a
nice quiet Anoka neighborhood,
close to a park for her boys, now
ages four and seven; some family
members live nearby.
“I admire Nathalie for her resilience,
motivation, and how she wants to
give back to others in appreciation
for what she does have,” said Sandy.
“She is a joy to work with.”
“So many good people like Sandy
and others at Anoka County have
helped me along in my journey,” said
Nathalie. “I can’t imagine where I
would be today without their support. I used to live in darkness with
only moments in the light; now I
have new light and everything is colorful.
“I’m very grateful to have this talent,”
Nathalie added. “I feel it’s my calling
to give back to others. At the end of
the day, if I can help change a person’s life in this little way, maybe
they will, in turn, help another.”
December 2013
In college, on the job, in sports -- Heather’s work ethic pays off
Heather Barber had always been athletic until a car accident changed
her life -- but that couldn’t stop her from fulfilling a long-held dream
By Heather Barber, Data Ability
hroughout my life, I have experienced events that were very
different than I had planned.
T
One life-altering experience was my
car accident when I was a 20-yearold college student. It changed my
whole life from “normal” to disabled. This affected everyone in my
family, not just me. I have had to
depend on them where once I was
independent and living on my own.
My goals and ideals have not
changed, although in order to
achieve them, I have had to revise
the route taken. In rehab, the
“experts” said I would never be able
to complete my college degree.
I proved them wrong! Yes, it took
me longer to do, but I graduated in
2005 with honors from the College
of Saint Catherine’s in St. Paul with
a degree in occupational science
with a concentration in family and
children.
It took me a long time to find a
job, but I am currently working
as a data entry clerk with Rise’s
Data Ability program in Crystal. I
am looking for my own place to
live because I am determined to
be independent and have my
own life.
I have always been athletic, and
running and swimming were a
part of my daily activities.
Swimming allows me to feel
more freedom than I have with my
current physical mobility so I really
enjoy it. It was natural for me to
have a goal of participating in a race.
Therefore, a triathlon was a good fit
because it allowed me to do the
swimming portion, which is something that I love. My sister Sheila
agreed to finish the bike and run for
me so we became a team. Being
able to realize this goal was awesome. It brought me so much joy
and a feeling of completion to my
life. I know if I want to do something, I will find a way to achieve it.
Heather has
worked as a data
entry clerk with
Rise’s Data Ability
program in
Crystal since
2008. Using her
college degree,
she would eventually like to find a
job working with
children. “I’m open
to all possibilities.”
December 2013
Heather said that upon finishing the
triathalon with her sister Shelia in
Hudson, Wis., in August, she felt so
successful at having accomplished
her goal. “Everyone was cheering for
me as I came out of the water and
that was so really cool.” Tri Fitness
presented her with their ‘Inspirer of
the Year Award.’ In high school,
Heather competed in basketball,
volleyball, and track.
I send a special thank you to the
coaches and staff at Tri Fitness in
White Bear Lake for making this
experience possible; it means a lot
to me. Who knows what the future
holds?
Note: Heather, who is 35, swims
three times a week at the Ridgedale
YMCA in Minnetonka and is working
with a trainer to improve her swim
time. She plans to compete again
next summer.
Heather also enjoys painting
through Rise’s Art Speaks program
and has had pieces on display in
community venues. Her latest painting of a waterfall will be on display in
the Roseville Dunn Brothers
coffeeshop this coming summer.
Rise Reporter 9
Two Rise employees share same commitment to work, pride in a job well done
President Lynn Noren and Ann Hassing ‘do lunch’ and exchange ideas about Rise’s future
By Betsy Jaros
itting down to lunch together
recently, Lynn Noren and Ann
Hassing caught up on their
professional lives at Rise. Ann
enjoyed peppering Rise’s new president with questions about her first
year on the job, and Lynn was eager
to hear about how Ann’s career at
Faribault Foods in Elk River was progressing.
S
When Ann asked why she wanted to
be Rise’s president, Lynn replied, “I
can’t think of a better job. I get to
work with great people, I’m learning
something new every day, and seeing Rise’s mission in action is exciting.”
Ann told Lynn about her job at
Faribault Foods and when asked
what she likes about her work, Ann
smiled, “Everything! I am very proud
of my job and have a great team of
friends to work with. I’m busy all the
time. The only time we sit down is at
break time so it keeps me in shape!”
Ann also told Lynn, “I love my life
right now.” She has lived in the
same house with the same roommates for eleven years, but
dreams of having her own apartment some day. Ann enjoys traveling and on a recent trip to Las
Vegas took in three shows and
even had good luck winning at
the slots. An only child, Ann is
very close to her extended family who live in the Twin Cities. She
also enjoys spending time with her
father and stepmother in Wisconsin
whenever she can.
The lunch discussion shifted back to
work, and the hardest parts of their
jobs. Lynn said, “There are so many
things to do, and I’m working hard to
get it all done. Rise is a large organization with many services in a large
geographical area so it’s challenging
to stay connected with all the different parts.”
“What changes are you going to
make at Rise?”
“We need to improve the infrastruc-
Lynn Noren and Ann Hassing recently
had lunch together in the president’s
office in Spring Lake Park.
ture and make sure that we have
improved systems to help us work
more efficiently. We also need to
support our staff with development
opportunities and the tools they
need to do their work. It’s important
that the people in our programs are
satisfied with their services at Rise;
we strive to be the best at what we
do.”
“I approve of that,” Ann said matterof-factly.
Amanda Le honored by her peers as PLACEMENT PERSON OF THE YEAR
ecognized by her peers for her
exemplary work, Rise's Amanda
Le was named Placement Person of
the Year by the Minnesota
Rehabilitation Association at its
annual fall conference in October.
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Amanda works in a partnership Rise
has developed with Minnesota
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
(VRS)’s North Minneapolis office,
helping to provide “seamless”
career planning and job placement
services to people who can benefit
from both agencies.
Amy Snoddy, a VRS employee,
nominated Amanda stating,
10 Rise Reporter
“Amanda has been a tireless advocate for the Minneapolis Placement
Partnership and has worked at a
dizzying pace on behalf of this collaborative group, its members, and
consumers. She is a great job developer -- professional, energetic, and
very organized. Amanda always puts
her clients’ needs and interests front
and center.”
“I was honored to receive this award
and proud to represent Rise, VRS,
and the rehab community in a positive way,” said Amanda. “I hope to
continue doing great work -- getting
people jobs!”
December 2013
James applies ‘NEVER STOP IMPROVING’ to his work at Lowe’s and his art
owe’s marketing slogan, “Never
Stop Improving,” is something
James Ross has taken to heart professionally and personally over the
seven years he’s worked at the Coon
Rapids store in customer service and
maintenance.
L
With regular support from Rise’s
Follow-Up Specialist Sue Featherly,
James says, “I continually explore all
options for possible advancement. I
believe in my professionalism and
have a strong willed nature to succeed.”
Lowes Assistant Manager Kevin
Williams says, “James is a great
employee who comes to work with a
great attitude and drive. His personal drive for excellence translates to
great work and productivity here at
Lowes."
Recently James had the thrill of
selling two pieces of his artwork at a
recent art show. “It gave me a profound sense of accomplishment and
validation as an artist that I had
established a direction in my life and
was faithful and patient with myself.”
Walking through the Blaine City Hall
on a cold November afternoon,
James proudly showed
three original pieces
which were hanging in
another art show
there: a black and
white photo he had
taken, processed, and
printed himself titled,
Peaceful Riverside
Rain, plus two other
digital media pieces,
titled Passionate
Soldier and The
Conflagration Within.
James is proud of his photograph
(top) titled, “Peaceful Riverside Rain.”
In addition, James had two other
digital media pieces on display in the
Blaine City Hall in November.
“I’ve always been a creative, visionary who believed in my talent and
was determined to be an artist,” said
James. “My art has helped me get
through many really challenging
times, only to become stronger
while still facing ongoing ones. My
artistic passion has helped people
understand who I am. I want to
explore all creative options and am
open to learning more about all
mediums of self-expression – art,
digital imaging, writing, and conceptual design.”
"James is a dedicated worker for
Lowes and is always striving to better
himself at his job,” said Sue. “I think
James’s interest in creating art has
had a positive impact on him at work
and in all aspects of his life."
Having earned an associate’s of arts
degree in 2011, James said he would
someday like to let his career reflect
his artistic passion, perhaps in
No matter what paths his career or
art takes him, James says, “I want to
continue inspiring myself and others
who have faced difficult challenges.”
graphic design or an entrepreneurial
endeavor.
Check out
Rise’s new
website at
rise.org
December 2013
RISE REPORTER 11
Rise, Incorporated
8406 Sunset Road N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55432-1387
NON PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 94279
TWIN CITIES MN
Change Service Requested
ADVANCING
LIVES
THROUGH
EMPLOYMENT,
HOUSING &
PERSONAL
GROWTH.
Rise Reporter
December 2013 * Vol. 37, No. 2
Beth DePoint
Editor, Director of Public Relations
Noel McCormick
Director of Advancement
Lynn Noren
President
Julie Weaver
Chair, Rise Board of Directors
Rise is an Equal Employment
Opportunity employer
For more information about Rise, Inc.,
visit our website at rise.org
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For mailing changes, please contact Beth DePoint
at 763-783-2822; email: [email protected]