Reach for Resources, a nonprofit organization, offers support and services to individuals dealing with mental illness and disabilities and is assisting those in Maple Grove and other communities.
The organization includes four different departments, Adaptive Recreation and Inclusion, Independent Living, Mental Health and Waiver Case Management, all of which are focused on creating productive and fulfilling lives for the individuals by helping them reach their full potential.
Even though all of the departments focus on different aspects of the clients’ lives, the overarching theme tying them together is inclusion.
The Adaptive Recreation department provides individuals with programs, such as Zumba and softball, as well as arts and crafts and other activities to promote social interaction, like bingo, social clubs, bowling and more.
Mental health support is crucial, which is why it is an integral part of Reach’s services. It offers Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS), Children’s Mental Health Targeted Case Management, Family & Parenting Development Services and Psychotherapy.
Adaptive Recreation and Inclusion programs partner with different cities to provide resources to the communities that would benefit the most from the services. The Adaptive Recreation and Inclusion programs mainly target the west and northwest suburbs, which include cities such as Brooklyn Center, Chaska and Golden Valley, however the cities it partnered with vary slightly, since Adaptive Recreation includes Maple Grove, while inclusion does not.
“Maple Grove happens to be one of our eight Adaptive Recreation partner cities, so those residents can register for our programs at a lower cost. Plus, since some of our social clubs have outings throughout the metro, we have been known to visit Maple Grove establishments,” Caren Hansen, marketing and communications manager, says.
Although Reach receives some funding from its state and county contacts, it relies heavily on grant funding and donations given from individuals, as well as its annual fundraisers, including Reach “On Tap,” which is a fundraiser hosted at Steel Toe Brewing to raise money for its employment services.
One individual, Anita, has been using Reach for the Independent Living Support Program. After moving to Rose Arbor in Maple Grove, Anita needed some help adjusting to her new home and finding someone who could support her. The program helps her coordinate transportation and keep track of her finances, while encouraging her to remain involved with the community. Anita has even formed strong bonds with the people who have worked with her, and she continues to show her deep gratitude to them for making it possible for her to live as an independent woman.
“The people I’ve worked with at Reach for Resources helped me learn my new community and how to navigate it,” Anita says, “I’m only 72, so I need to still do things I enjoy.”
Cities REACH supports
Adaptive Recreation programs:
Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Park
Chanhassen
Chaska
Golden Valley
Maple Grove
Plymouth
St. Louis Park
Inclusion programs:
Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Park
Chanhassen
Chaska
Crystal
Golden Valley
New Hope
St. Louis Park
