Author: Megan Kunelli

Merrick’s Ambassadors for Respect (A4R) team is preparing for another season of anti-bullying presentations, continuing its mission to inspire inclusivity in local schools. This year’s team includes 5 members–three returning and two new participants. In the months ahead, these ambassadors will visit local elementary schools, sharing their personal stories with dozens of fourth-grade students and encouraging them to speak up and take action when they witness bullying.  

What makes A4R especially powerful is the personal connection each ambassador brings to the program. Michelle, now in her third year as an ambassador, has considered stepping aside to make room for others but remains deeply committed to the cause. “I was bullied in school, and I’ve seen other people being bullied,” she said. “I’m just sick of it, and I want it to stop.” 

That shared experience is what unites the team. Each ambassador was targeted by bullies growing up, and today they are using those experiences to help younger students choose a different path. Returning ambassador Nick explained, “I want to be an ambassador, and I want to teach those kids to be ambassadors, too, because I don’t want them to go on the wrong track.” 

The team’s message is supported by a strong curriculum and dedicated leadership. Jaylah Loving, Self-Advocacy Facilitator and A4R Team Coordinator at Merrick, shared her excitement about new additions to this year’s presentations. For the first time, students will learn about the mindset of bullies and the emotions that often drive bullying behavior—feelings that are usually unseen by those being hurt. 

These updates reflect A4R’s long-standing mission. An award-winning program of PeaceMaker Minnesota, Ambassadors for Respect gives students simple tools to prevent bullying while also providing individuals with disabilities opportunities to build job skills, earn a paycheck, and find purpose through meaningful work. 

That impact began in 2013 with the vision of the late Colleen Timbers, Program Director at Merrick, Inc. Since then, A4R has reached hundreds of fourth-grade students each year and empowered countless self-advocates. First-time ambassador Mollie, who has worked at Merrick for more than 20 years, remembers Colleen with gratitude. “If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t have this,” she said. “We really appreciate what she did for us.” 

On Monday, January 12, three clients graduated from Unified Work Academy’s Career Skills 1 Course after successfully completing eight sessions of virtual training. As the second Merrick cohort to complete the course, the graduates beamed with pride as they received their certificates and were met with enthusiastic applause from peers and family members who joined the ceremony via Zoom. 

Career Skills 1 is the first of two courses offered by Unified Work Academy, a program of MDI. The course focuses on teaching core life skills that support improved job performance, engagement, and satisfaction, including teamwork, time management, interpersonal skills, and more. 

The first Merrick cohort to complete Career Skills 1 graduated in June 2025, with one participant continuing on to Career Skills 2. Two clients from Cohort 2 also plan to continue their education by enrolling in the Career Skills 2 course. Merrick Group Facilitator Sandy Olson continues to recruit additional clients, having seen firsthand the benefits of the program as participants gain confidence in themselves. 

When asked to reflect on her experience, Sammie, a graduate of cohort 2, shared, “I learned that I am capable of working in the community. I have noticed that I have self-confidence, and I like setting goals that help me stay on task.”   

As a disability services provider, we continually seek new opportunities that empower our clients to achieve their goals and pursue their dreams. For many clients, like Sammie, the dream is to work in the community. By continuing to offer tools such as these Career Skills courses, we hope to help clients take meaningful steps closer to reaching their goals. 

Beginning in January 2026, Merrick’s HR Manager Mikayla Wickersham will step into the volunteer role of co-chair for HR Connections, a networking group for HR professionals in the Northeast Metro area sponsored by Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation (VHEDC). Established in 2016, HR Connections meets monthly to explore workforce development topics, share best practices, and hear from industry experts. 

Since joining the group in 2021, Mikayla has rarely missed a session, valuing both the knowledge she’s gained and professional relationships she’s built. In this new role, she will help plan each monthly session by identifying discussion topics, securing guest speakers, managing registration, and coordinating events. 

As a long-time participant in HR Connections, Mikayla loves learning from others just as much as she enjoys sharing her knowledge, experiences, and insights. She looks forward to using this leadership opportunity to strengthen connections, expand her network, and engage more deeply in her community – while also helping raise awareness about the important work Merrick does to support adults with disabilities. 

Learn more about HR Connections at https://www.vhedc.com/hr-connections-3/. 

On October 15, Merrick welcomed more than 20 local non-profit leaders for “Lunch and Learn: Ramsey County Non-Profit Opportunities and Collaborations,” an event hosted in partnership with Partners for Good (PFG). While Merrick has hosted PFG events in the past, this session was among the most anticipated. 

The event featured insights from Ramsey County Manager Ling Becker, District 1 Commissioner Tara Jebens-Sinh, and District 7 Commissioner Kelly Miller, who spoke about the symbiotic relationship between Ramsey County and local non-profits. Together, they explored how the county’s initiatives align with the missions of community-based organizations and the shared responsibility of supporting Ramsey County residents. 

County Manager Becker acknowledged that these are unprecedented times requiring “clarity, discipline, resolve, and courage” — particularly from non-profits serving the community’s most vulnerable neighbors. She outlined the many ways the county partners with non-profits, including training opportunities, grant programs, access to county contracts, and transparency around county spending. While there were no definitive answers on what lies ahead in relation to federal funds administered by the county, Becker emphasized a reassuring message: the path forward will be walked together. 

Partners for Good (PFG) is a program of VHEDC and serves as a networking and professional development group for local non-profit leaders. Co-founded eight years ago by Merrick’s Development and Communications Director, Karen Herrera, PFG continues to be a valuable resource for leaders committed to collaboration, learning, and community impact. 

Learn more about Partners for Good at https://www.vhedc.com/partnersforgood/.