Author: Megan Kunelli

Published January 26, 2026

In the coming months, Merrick will be expanding our Individualized Home Support (IHS) Services program to serve both current clients and individuals who are not currently enrolled in our programs. These services may be provided on their own or alongside existing services and will be scheduled at times that best meet the needs of the client and their support teams. 

Positive Support Professional Brady Mallek, who has worked at Merrick for nearly seven years, currently supports 4 clients receiving IHS Services. “IHS services are tailored to each individual’s needs and goals, providing assistance with daily living, skill development, and community participation,” Brady explained. “It allows individuals to maintain independence, stability, and quality of life in their own homes and community.” 

Interested clients should contact their case manager, who will determine if the services are available within their waiver plan. For more information, contact Kristine Orubo, Program Director, at kristineo@merrickinc.org or (651) 789-6206. 

Published January 20, 2026

At the start of the new year, Merrick welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees while also bidding farewell to long-time trustee Dan Schneeman. 

After nine years of dedicated service, Schneeman retired from the board, leaving behind a strong legacy of commitment and leadership. He will continue to support Merrick through service on the Golf and Finance Committees, where his expertise and thoughtful perspective remain invaluable. 

Merrick is also pleased to welcome new trustees Jim Clapper, a disability advocate; Rich McNamara of Frandsen Bank & Trust; and Chris Schneeman of North Risk Partners. A returning board member and father of outgoing trustee Dan Schneeman, Chris Schneeman continues a family legacy of service that began with his own father. 

To learn more about Merrick’s new trustees, see below. 

• Jim Clapper
  

  Jim Clapper

  A proud parent of a person with disabilities, Jim retired from 3M after 38 years of service. He is a former board member and board chair of Midwest Special Services. He is happily married with three grown children and is a resident of North Oaks.

• Richard McNamara
  

  Richard McNamara

  Rich is a Senior Vice President in Commercial Banking with Frandsen Bank & Trust in Vadnais Heights, helping clients by determining their needs, developing relationships, and delivering solutions.

  Rich and his wife Nancy live with their teenage son in North Oaks and are proud to call the Twin Cities home for over 30 years.

  Rich brings over 20 years of community banking experience and over 10 years of public sector administrative experience within the Roseville and Oakdale communities.

  Rich has served on Merrick’s finance committee since 2023 and is serving his first term on Merrick’s Board of Trustees.

• Chris Schneeman
  

  Chris Schneeman

  Chris is a Senior Employee Benefits Advisor with North Risk Partners. He has specialized in employer provided benefit plans since 1980, founded SevenHills Benefit Partners to serve small and mid-size employers, and with his son Daniel joined North Risk in 2024.

  Chris and his spouse Cathy live in Mendota Heights, have five grown children and seven grandsons. He is a longtime supporter of Merrick’s mission and services and has served several terms on the Merrick Board.

Published January 20, 2026

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.” 

Published January 14, 2026

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. 

Published November 3, 2025

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/. 

Published October 28, 2025

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/.

Published October 28, 2025

Are you involved in the hiring process within your profession? Have you conducted so many interviews that the process feels second nature? If so, we invite you to take part in a meaningful volunteer opportunity. 

Merrick’s Independent Employment Services team (I-Team) is seeking volunteers to conduct mock interviews with clients who are preparing to enter the workforce. While the I-Team assists clients with resume development, job searches, and interview preparation, experience has shown that clients benefit greatly from practicing their interview skills with professionals outside of their regular support team. 

Your participation will help clients gain confidence, receive constructive feedback, and strengthen their ability to present themselves effectively to prospective employers. 

If you are interested in volunteering as needed or would like additional information, contact Assistant Program Director Amy Jacobsen at amyj@merrickinc.org or (651) 789-6229. 

Published October 28, 2025

For years, employees at Merrick have used sign language to connect with non-verbal and/or deaf clients, some of whom have even developed their own unique signs. Until recently, sign language training was not part of the onboarding experience for new employees. Many were unsure how to communicate effectively with clients who rely on sign language. This communication gap often led to misunderstandings that can make it difficult to meet clients’ needs and build strong, trusting relationships. 

That all changed in early 2025, when Merrick partnered with an American Sign Language (ASL) Trainer to launch on-site sign language classes for all employees. The program began with four one-hour long sessions offered over the course of a month for interested employees, focusing on words and phrases most commonly used in daily interactions. The response was overwhelmingly positive – so much so that Merrick expanded the program to include a Sign Language 102 course for employees eager to build on what they learned in the first class. 

The introduction of sign language classes not only improved communication between employees and clients but also boosted confidence across the team. For Melony Nace, a Direct Support Professional at Merrick’s Life Enrichment Program, completing the course transformed the way she interacts with many clients. “They can express needs more easily,” Melony shared, “improving daily routines and overall success. This fosters a more inclusive, supportive and fun environment.” 

At Merrick, we’re committed to creating a space where every client feels empowered, valued, and heard. Providing sign language training for employees has been an important step toward making that vision a reality. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and look forward to building on this momentum as we continue exploring new and innovative ways to meet the diverse needs of our clients.