Our latest Updates

Greetings, How are your New-Year’s resolutions coming? Remember, these are promises we make to ourselves each January. Things like, “I am going to stop smoking”, or “lose weight”, or “exercise more often.” Rarely do many of us recall that promise we made to ourselves much beyond the middle of January. So why do we do it? It sounds good, it makes sense, and it has become a tradition. I would submit to you that it is a good idea, it does make sense, and it is a great tradition. But, I would also submit that maybe if we focus our resolutions in a direction that truly benefits someone...

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Happy February, everyone! My name is Linda Lia, and I am so pleased to have joined the NorthEast Residence team as Development Director in January. As I transitioned out of a number of years working in marketing and development for United Way St. Croix Valley in Hudson, WI, I was searching for an organization where I would find a similar home – an organization where the staff truly cared about making a positive difference in the lives of others each and every day, and where I could share a commitment to the organization’s mission. I found that in NER. As I researched the organization...

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Happy Holidays Everyone! Greetings from NER. I cannot believe that another Christmas is nearly upon us. It really is true that the older we get the faster time goes! Like many of you, we have been busy at NER preparing and planning for the holidays. In addition, we have been looking at the year that is coming to a close, and with much anticipation, looking toward the year that lies ahead. But before we close out 2011, all of us at NER would like to wish all of you a very merry holiday season and a blessed New Year! 2011 has been a very busy year and as always, we have all been blessed...

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It is with bittersweet feelings that I write this article. After 13 years as NER’s Financial Manager, and just about 3 ½ years as the Development Director, I am moving on to a new position outside of NER. I wish to express my gratitude to all our wonderful donors, volunteers, residents, employees, and the Board of Directors for all their generosity over the years. I have come to know so many great people that I will surely miss. My hope is that the Development program at NER will continue to grow with all the support and participation I have been given. It is an important program with important...

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Happy Thanksgiving! Sometimes when life is not going the way we might like it to we forget that in the whole scheme of things, we really do have much to be thankful for. Certainly 2011 has presented many challenges for many people and 2012 will no doubt present us with much of the same. But the reality is, we all have much more to be thankful for than not. No matter what else is going on in our lives, or how many things we might want to change, life is good! If our lives have been touched in any way by someone with special needs, this is even more true. As employees at NER, this is not just...

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A foundation has formed. We are so pleased to have established a fund with the St. Croix Valley Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to provide long-term sustained funding for NER.  Now, let’s get it growing! This fund is invested with only the proceeds of the investment being used to help NER out in a variety of areas, usually where needed most at the time. Whether it is to supplement staffing, benefits, home improvements, client camps, fuel or grocery costs, there is no limit to the benefits this fund can provide. The more donations we receive to contribute to the fund, the larger the benefits...

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Greetings, What a beautiful October we have had. Now if it could only stay like this for just a while longer. But of course, by the time all of you are reading this, our 80 degree temperatures will be gone and autumn will be upon us. And that really is okay. It is such a beautiful time of year. The smell of the fresh fallen leaves and the sounds of them crackling as one walks through the woods is as good as it gets. I cannot imagine living in an area where there was not a change of seasons. I tend to complain of the freezing cold winter and to be honest, I really do not like the cold, but I would...

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Looking for volunteer opportunities? Have you checked out our website lately? Our website at www.nerinc.org has a listing of some of the volunteer opportunities available at NER. Each category has some helpful information about the activity. Whether you can volunteer long-term or short-term, we have something for you. Please check us out. Once at the website, click on “get involved” and then “volunteer”. You will see our volunteer activities page. It includes such things as: SPECIAL OLYMPICS • Work with our Special Olympiads as an assistant or coach. Bowling, bocce ball, and track...

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Greetings, Summertime is always a busy time of year, but this summer was a whirlwind to say the least. Legislative changes have had a major impact on services for people with developmental disabilities. I will cover just a couple of them later, but first, I want to thank everyone who worked on all of our special events this past summer and all of the volunteers who helped with them. Thanks also to those who helped with yard work and everything else. We are truly blessed to have you all and your help is appreciated beyond words! Just two years ago I remember telling everyone about some legislative...

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Fall weather is upon us. I hope you are all able to get out and enjoy it. The coming of fall signals the end of our summer fundraising events and the beginning of our Annual Fund drive. I do have dates and locations set for next year’s events if you would like to mark your calendars early. Our Fundraising Dinner will be Friday, June 1, 2012. It will be held again at Vadnais Heights Commons in Vadnais Heights. This location was new to us this year, everyone loved it, and, it allows us room for many more people than in past years. Our Driving for Dreams Golf Tournament will be Monday, August...

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