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Plant Sale Drop-In Hours | May 5-9

Published May 9, 2025

Missed our weekend plant sale? No worries—we still have a great selection of plants left. Stop by our greenhouse any day this week between 1–3 PM to browse beautiful patio pots, hanging baskets, 6-packs, and more. Every purchase supports our programs for adults with disabilities—so you’re not just bringing home plants, you’re helping our community grow!

We accept cash, checks, credit card, Venmo, and PayPal.

Drop-In Dates/Hours:
Monday, May 5-Friday, May 9, 2025
1:00-3:00 pm

Location:
Merrick, Inc.
3210 Labore Road
Vadnais Heights, MN
East End of Building

Prices by Pot Size
6-Packs – 2 for $5.00
Hanging Pots – $17.00
Individual Pots (2″, 3″, & 4.5″) – $3.00
Patio Pots – $17.00
Succulents – 2 for $5.00

Announcing Duluth Getaway Raffle Winners

Published May 2, 2025

The winners of Merrick’s Duluth Getaway Raffle were announced Sunday, April 27, at Flaherty’s Arden Bowl. Congratulations to our winners!

First Place – Heather Monnens, winner of the Duluth Getaway Package
Second Place – Ruth Barrett, winner of $500 Joe’s Sporting Goods Gift Card
Third Place – Diane Cullen, winner of a $100 Visa Gift Card

Many thanks to all you purchased tickets. We sold 974 ticket breaking our previous record!

Appointment of Merrick’s Next Executive Director

Published April 25, 2025

Dear Friends of Merrick, Inc.,

The Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that, after an extensive and thorough search process, we have appointed Mike Greenbaum as our organization’s next Executive Director. This decision marks a pivotal moment in our journey, and we are enthusiastic about the future that lies ahead.

Mike began his career in the disability services field in 2000, when he joined Merrick, Inc., in a fundraising and CFO role. He left in 2014 to be the Executive Director of Newtrax, Inc., which is a nonprofit that provides transportation services to adults with disabilities, including many of our clients. Recognized as a leader in disability transportation services, and with his longstanding connection to Merrick, Mike brings with him a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to our mission, and a record of success and achievement that we believe will drive our organization forward. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to make a profound impact in our community and in the disability sector.

The process to select our new Executive Director was conducted with the utmost diligence and care to identify the best candidate to lead our organization into the future. To ensure a thorough, objective, and thoughtful selection process, the Board formed a search committee that included trustees as well as family members. They then enlisted Brad Ballinger from Cincinnatus, an experienced nonprofit recruitment consultant, to assist. A detailed job profile was created with input from key stakeholders to attract strong, diverse candidates. A broad search was conducted, followed by a rigorous evaluation and interview process, and after reviewing top candidates, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Mike as the new Executive Director.

Mike will begin transitioning to Merrick on May 19th and will be in his position as Executive Director on Monday, June 16th.  On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to this nearly 12-month process. Special thanks go to the Executive Director Search Committee as well as Brad Ballinger.

Transitions are rarely easy, but we are excited about the journey ahead. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our organization. Together, we will continue to fulfill our mission to empower adults with disabilities through vocational and social opportunities and to guide them toward realizing their goals and dreams.

Respectfully,

The Board of Trustees
Merrick, Inc.

Bark’s Bytes #44 (the nice version)

Published March 25, 2025

It has been four years since I published a Bark’s Bytes because I believed that the voices of people with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), and their families, would convince the Department of Human Services (DHS) to honor their voluntary and informed choice to earn a special minimum wage (SMW). Yet, someone snuck language to eliminate 14(c) into the Governor’s Labor Policy bill and on 3/11/25, SF2149 was introduced by Senator McEwen to the Senate Labor & Industry Committee to eliminate this choice for more than 5,000 Minnesotans with I/DD and 200+ at Merrick. Thankfully, Senator Lieski offered an A(1) amendment to strike the language eliminating 14(c). When DFL Senator Hauschild voted with the four GOP members on the amendment, it resulted in a 5 to 5 tie and Senator McEwen asked the Committee to send the bill to the Human Services Committee without a recommendation. That motion passed and it is now scheduled for a 3 pm Human Services Committee hearing on 3/17/25. A clear loss for DHS and its sycophants. So, with 45 years in the disabilities field, the last 27 leading an exceptional day program, and retirement on the near horizon, I am going to see if Peggy Noonan is right that “One of life’s pleasures is taking a stick to people and things that deserve it.”

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Merrick Employees Spread Holiday Cheer

Published March 3, 2025

In 2021, Lynn Lomen took the lead on Merrick’s Vadnais Heights (VH) Holiday Adopt-A-Family Initiative, where employees adopt families from Vadnais Heights Elementary School during the holiday season and provide gifts to help brighten their celebrations. Here’s what Lynn had to say when asked a few questions about the initiative and its importance.

What prompted you to take the lead on this initiative?

I started working at Merrick in 2015. The VH Holiday Adopt-A Family Initiative, lead by Judy Vollbrecht, had been going on for quite some time by then (I believe that it started in 2009). The core group that helped her each year brought such dedication to making the holidays wonderful for the VH families that were entrusted to them from the VH Elementary School. I was eager to get involved and excited to participate with them. When Judy retired in 2021, Ruth Barrett and I wanted to make sure that the initiative continued.  

staff pose with holiday gift towers in copy machine area
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Alternative Services Reopens

Published January 30, 2025

When Merrick’s Willow Lake Boulevard site opened in November 2022, clients receiving life enrichment services were relocated to the new building, leaving the Alternative Services (AS) area at 3210 Labore Road vacant. Without an immediate plan for the vacant space, it was primarily used for recreational purposes over the next two years as a new purpose for AS was explored.

Renovations to the space would begin in August 2024, and were completed in November, at which point, Alternative Services reopened with an updated design and focus. Today, Alternative Services provides support to clients with a lower staffing ratio (1:4) who are seeking opportunities for both employment and leisure activities. Capable of serving up to 32 clients, the newly renovated space is well-suited for those who thrive in a smaller, quieter working environment.

The Legacy of Zubaz Santa

Published on January 30, 2025

On Friday, December 20, Zubaz Santa (i.e., JWB) visited Merrick along with two of his reindeer and elves. Throughout the morning, clients came out in small groups to take pictures with Zubaz Santa in his sleigh and enjoy holiday treats, creating a festive experience for all involved.

It was by no means the first time that JWB had put on the red suit and Zubaz pants, assuming the persona of Zubaz Santa. At Merrick, it has become a running tradition during his tenure that many look forward to. Typically, he only dons the suit and pants for a few hours, while passing out gifts to employees before the holiday break. However, knowing that this would be his last holiday season as Executive Director, JWB wanted to honor the legacy of Zubaz Santa by going “big”, both for himself and the clients that have brought him so much joy over the years. After all, JWB and Santa go way back.

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Ambassadors for Respect

Published January 28, 2025

Later this month, Merrick’s Ambassadors for Respect (A4R) team will launch a new season of anti-bullying presentations. Designed to provide fourth graders with tools to recognize and prevent bullying, A4R also offers individuals with disabilities the unique opportunity to share their personal stories with the next generation and develop valuable employment skills.

Over the course of the presentation, students learn about the importance of including others, using person-first language, and advocating for themselves and others, and the Ambassadors gain an increased sense of purpose as they make a direct and positive impact on elementary school environments. 

Merrick’s 2025 A4R team consists of 6 clients, some of whom are Ambassadors for the very first time. Over the next several months, they are expected to reach more than 200 fourth-grade students across three elementary schools with their empowering message of inclusion. 

To learn more about A4R, visit https://www.peacemakermn.org/ambassadors-for-respect.

New Memory Care Program

Publish January 28, 2025

As the service provider of choice for more than 400 adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), Merrick is committed to continually exploring new ways to best serve those in our programs throughout all stages of adulthood. In response to the increasing needs of clients experiencing memory issues, Merrick signed a lease in August 2024 to expand our Life Enrichment Program site by an additional 2,800 square feet with plans to transform the space into a Memory Care Program.

Construction of the new space began in October and was completed in November, although a few more months were needed to fully furnish the area. With the hiring of a Memory Care Coordinator in December and final touches being made to the space, we are excited to officially launch this new program in early 2025. Though still in its early stages of development, the Memory Care Program is designed to serve up to 10 clients, offering a safe, welcoming environment tailored to address their unique needs.

Beloved Executive Director Announces Retirement

Published January 28, 2025

As many of you already know, John Wayne Barker (JWB) will be retiring as Executive Director on July 1, 2025. While JWB has been transparent about his planned retirement date for several years, the reality of this date still feels too soon for the Merrick community. Hired on June 1, 1998, JWB will retire after 27 years of dedicated service and will undoubtedly be missed by clients, employees, community partners, and family members, some of whom have known him since his early days with the nonprofit.

Over the course of his 27-year tenure, Merrick has experienced remarkable growth, establishing itself as a leader among disability service providers in the state. A great deal of Merrick’s success can be attributed to his leadership and mission-focused approach. From the start, he has been a stanch advocate of Merrick’s mission, constantly seeking new and innovative ways to best meet the needs of the clients who choose our program. Notable highlights of his tenure include paying off the mortgage on the 3210 Labore Road building in September 2022, supporting A-Team’s legislative and self-advocacy initiatives, and opening our expanded Life Enrichment Program at 1239 Willow Lake Boulevard in November 2022.

The search for the new Executive Director officially began on December 26, 2024, and is being led by an internal search committee of Trustees and family members that will start reviewing applications in February. The selection of a new Executive Director will provide an exciting opportunity to renew our sense of purpose and mission as we look ahead to the future and the challenges it may bring.