On September 2, 2026, Merrick hosted 15 Ukrainian teenagers from Global Synergy Group’s YouLEAD program at our onsite production facility. While at Merrick, participants received a guided tour and gained an inside perspective on our mission and how we support adults with disabilities. During the remainder of their visit, the group learned about the important role nonprofit organizations play in building strong communities. 

Having first hosted Ukrainian youth in 2022, this year marked the fifth time that Merrick has welcomed a YouLEAD cohort. Each year, it has been an honor to be part of their experience and to represent the nonprofit sector, helping participants understand what it takes to create lasting change. 

YouLEAD, which stands for Youth Leadership Engagement and Development Program, is a 5-week leadership program. During the program, participants stay with host families, where they are encouraged to take part in daily family life, learn from one another, and share traditions. To learn more about the program visit www.globalsynergygroup.org.  

An employee assists a client in blowing bubbles on Water Day. Champions help make opportunities like these possible for the adults with disabilities Merrick serves.

When you make a monthly gift to Merrick, you become a true Champion for adults with disabilities. That’s why we call our monthly giving program the Champions Club. But what does it really mean to be a Champion? Here are three reasons to join the Champions Club and discover what being a Champion is all about. 

Champions Make a Lasting Impact 

Monthly giving creates a lasting impact in the lives of the individuals we serve. Each day, Merrick provides opportunities for clients to build confidence, form meaningful relationships, and pursue their personal and professional goals. As a Champion, you help make these opportunities possible.

Merrick is seeking dedicated volunteers to serve on its Human Resources Committee. Committee members play an important role in supporting a positive workplace environment and helping Merrick continue to attract and retain exceptional staff.

Individuals with experience in human resources, business operations, leadership, or related fields are encouraged to apply. The committee meets quarterly in Vadnais Heights, with a time commitment of approximately two hours per quarter.

Your knowledge and insight can make a lasting impact on our organization and the people we serve every day.

Interested in learning more? Contact Mikayla Wickersham at (651) 789-6231 or MikaylaW@MerrickInc.org.

Across Merrick’s prevocational and employment programs, summer picnics have become a meaningful tradition that brings clients and staff together to strengthen connections and create lasting memories. 

One program that has embraced this tradition for many years is Merrick’s Independent Services Program, or I-Team. Its annual summer picnic brings clients together for a day of fun, friendship, and connection. Since many I-Team clients work independently in the community, the event offers a valuable opportunity to gather with peers and strengthen relationships. Yard games, friendly competitions, and prizes create an atmosphere of laughter, camaraderie, and celebration. 

In February 2026, Merrick’s Willow Lake Life Enrichment Program launched a new four-department structure to better support the unique needs of clients. The reorganization created four specialized departments:

• Care Support Services for individuals with higher support needs
• Innovative Services for individuals who benefit from additional behavioral supports
• Empowerment Services for retired clients seeking meaningful engagement and community
• Memory Care for individuals experiencing memory loss or cognitive changes.

The change was the result of several years of growth and learning. Since opening in November 2022, Willow Lake has expanded from 76 participants to more than 120. 

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.