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.
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.
Why is it important to you that this initiative continue?
I think it is important to continue to sponsor the families every year because we are blessed with so much, and we want to share that with families that may not have as much as we do. It also gives employees of Merrick the opportunity to work together and build meaningful relationships. This initiative gives anyone the chance to donate money if they choose, spend time doing something for someone in need and share the joy of the season with their co-workers.
What is the best part about your role as the lead on this initiative?
The best part about my role is that I get to share in the laughter, shopping, music, treats and excitement with my co-workers. When the shoppers go out to fulfill the wishes of the families, they come back so happy to show other shoppers their bargains. Then, when we get together to wrap all the treasures, everyone is so excited and amazed at how beautiful the packages look. Many shoppers and/or wrappers have said that they wish they could be a fly on the wall when the families get their gifts, that just to see their faces would be amazing.
How has Merrick/Merrick employees supported you in your role as the lead?
Merrick and employees have supported this initiative by generously donating their own money to be able to purchase the gifts. Merrick has a match of up to $400.00 to help make it possible to fill out the wish lists of each family member. Charitable Gambling employees also get involved in donating for the presents, and Wendy Busch (CG) always contributes a check to each family for their Holiday meal or whatever is needed. We are also supported by those that come to help with the wrapping and making such beautiful “Towers” for each member of the families. Last year, we had so many helpers that it only took about an hour to get the wrapping done; that was amazing.
Why do you believe that it is important for Merrick to take action that contributes to the common good?
We have a core belief at Merrick about Civic Responsibility. Many of the employees have such compassion for not only our clients and each other, but they care a great deal for the families that VH Elementary sends us. The holiday season can be hard not only financially but also emotionally; I notice that so many of our employees want to participate in making the holidays wonderful for others. I believe that they want to participate in making the lives of complete strangers better and this makes their holiday season better. We have amazing people that work for Merrick; their hearts are so giving to other staff as well as to our clients. I feel so lucky to be part of a company that has such beautiful people working for it.
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.
When asked how he got into the disability services field, he often shares the following story that shows just how far back he and Santa go.
‘In 1978, I was a student at St. Cloud State University and drove a school bus. My good friend, John Selvog, also drove a school bus. His riders were all elementary kids with disabilities. It was his idea to have the Dayton’s store loan us their Santa suit for me to wear and donate some presents and candy, so we could visit the homes of each of the kids on his bus route. Surprisingly, they did. So, one evening, me, as Santa, and John, as an elf, went to each of the kids’ homes. At each house, the mom was crying, the dad was beaming, and the kid with a disability and any sibling were overjoyed. At some point in the evening, I thought to myself, “Hey, I think I could work with people who have disabilities.” Less than two years later, I began my professional career in the disability field.’
Thank you, Zubaz Santa, for every smile, every laugh, every tear of joy that you have brought to those in your care. We will miss you!
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.
Vadnais Heights City Council Honors DSPs
Published September 6, 2024
During this month’s city council meeting, Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer signed an official proclamation declaring the week of September 8-14, 2024, as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. Attending the meeting were Merrick Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Mel Deschon, Teea Gillespie, Jessica Henderson, Melony Nace, Teresa Nelson, and Rebecca Vaillancourt who gladly welcomed the city’s gesture of appreciation.
DSPs are crucial to the work of Merrick, Inc. Unfortunately, they rarely receive the thanks they deserve for the work they do.
DSPs are the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. They are the primary providers of community-based long-term support services for thousands of individuals with disabilities in Minnesota and provide a broad range of individualized supports, including meal preparation, medication assistance, personal care and life skills training, mobility, and work and life enrichment opportunities.
Merrick could not realize its mission without DSPs. Thus, they deserve our gratitude.
Starting Monday, September 9, follow Merrick on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MerrickInc/ to see all the ways we are celebrating our DSPs.
Learn about more ways you can celebrate DSPRW at https://www.ancor.org/event/direct-support-professional-recognition-week-2024/.
A Parent’s Perspective on Disability Employment
Published November 17, 2023
Amy S.F. Lutz writes (November 8) from both experience and as a disability professional showing that elimination of the 14(c) wage paid to disabled workers is profoundly misguided. Minnesota considered and rejected such a course in its last legislative session, only narrowly avoiding an action spelling widespread unemployment and disenfranchisement for disabled workers like Lutz’ son and my daughter Elizabeth, who has worked at a disabled employment center in St. Paul for over a decade.
Advocates of eliminating the “subminimum wage,” have made two major errors that would have terrible consequences for disabled adults. The policy misapprehends both the basic realities of the labor market and the standards of equity it purports to defend.
Elizabeth’s experience belies descriptions of workplaces like hers as Dickensian dens that segregate disabled people to toil at monotonous work. Far from placing them in an environment in which they are exploited, such centers protect vulnerable adults from the risks and possible abuse they would face in an unfettered job market. Her job allows her to spend full days with talented staff and with her friends and co-workers. She receives a wage based on an established record of her productivity, which is not sufficient to support her, but does not cause her federal disability income to be reduced. Some of her co-workers stay at the center while others go into the community to work at businesses such as local supermarkets, where they are carefully supervised.
Suppose the subminimum wage were ended and an employer at a supermarket faced the choice of hiring someone to stock shelves. One applicant can stock product at twice the rate of another applicant who has cerebral palsy. Both are required to be paid the same minimum wage. Who will get the job? Probably not the disabled worker. Without the subminimum wage allowance, even employers who want to hire the disabled will have a disincentive to do so. Many more such workers will never find jobs at all.
Requiring that all workers, disabled or not, be paid the same wages confuses two types of equity. One kind of equity says people who are similarly situated should be treated the same. The other says that those who are not similarly situated should be treated differently. Those advocating the elimination of subminimum wages confuse the first type of equity with the second. A worker with cerebral palsy is not the same as a worker without it, and they should not be treated as if they are.
No one would deny the right of any worker to seek employment at any wage they might be able to secure, at or above the minimum. But to deny the opportunity to work for less than the minimum wage to those disabled workers who desire and enjoy such employment will mean that many more such workers will be closed out of the marketplace and will remain unemployed and home alone. It may also cause many disabled adult employment centers to shut down, reminiscent of Reagan era efforts to close centers for the mentally ill and leave them to fend for themselves.
These are the realities which advocates of eliminating 14(c) wages refuse to recognize.
Carlisle Ford Runge
Distinguished McKnight Professor of Applied Economics and Law
University of Minnesota