Rise, Incorporated

01/14/2026

Can’t get enough of Billie the therapy dog? Neither can we!
Here are 5 things that we love about Billie! 🐾
Visit this link to see more about Billie's visits to Rise Anoka: rise.org/therapy-dog-billie/

01/13/2026

It's the friends, the fun, and the little moments that make Rise special. 🧡
Hear what people in our Life Enrichment program love most about coming to Rise!

01/12/2026

Every Friday, people from Rise’s New Richmond and Oakdale Life Enrichment programs come together to learn self-advocacy and independence through Supported Decision-Making (SDM) classes, which are made possible by an Opportunity Grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Kristian Hansen, who attends Rise New Richmond, shares: “The goal of these classes is to help you become independent, grow as a person, and understand who you are.”

Class instructor Betty Dewitt from ACT - Advocating Change Together, adds: “It’s really about having positive control in your life – making decisions with support that lead to your best life.”

See how these classes are empowering people to speak up and live life on their terms.
Read the full story here: rise.org/supported-decision-making-classes/

01/12/2026

We’re proud to be part of Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation - MOHR and excited to see our 2025 accomplishments featured!

Thank you, MOHR, for highlighting our work and for everything you do to advocate for inclusive opportunities across Minnesota.

Check out their full newsletter here: https://conta.cc/4pfBglW

We are celebrating our members' 2025 accomplishments all month long! MOHR member Rise, Incorporated launched a new retirement program in 2025. The pilot program assists people supported through Rise’s employment programs who are eligible to retire from the workforce with their retirement transition. They explore both individual activities and group experiences from a dedicated life enrichment location focused on retirement services for older adults with disabilities.
Read more about MOHR members' 2025 here: https://conta.cc/4pfBglW

01/09/2026

Did you miss our disability benefits information session last month? Or did you attend and still have questions?

“Disability Benefits in Retirement: Social Security, MA-EPD, Trusts, and More,” featuring Joe Kukla, an attorney at Theil, Anderson, Kukla & Gunderson, is now available to view on our YouTube.

The full recording can be found here: https://youtu.be/UZShrcLEHPM

A big thank you to Joe for joining us and sharing his expertise!

01/08/2026

At Rise Anoka, visits from Billie the therapy dog are a highlight of the month! 🐾

From Spencer Sieber’s excitement to give her treats, to McKenna Mortek’s shy smile when Billie walks through the door, and Terry Angell’s happy dance - Billie brings out the best in everyone in our Life Enrichment program. Her visits encourage participation, boost moods, and bring a sense of excitement and energy to the site.

Want to see more about the joy Billie and volunteer handler Laura Palmer bring?
Visit: https://rise.org/therapy-dog-billie/

01/07/2026

We’re starting 2026 strong!

Our Forest Lake Life Enrichment program rang in the new year by celebrating together and sharing some goals for the year ahead. 🌟

What’s YOUR goal for 2026? Let us know in the comments!

01/06/2026

Chrissy Moore was supported by Rise’s Minnesota Employment Center (MEC) for 18 months with the goal of finding a job where she could work with children. When MEC learned about a local business seeking an ASL teacher for young kids, Chrissy, who is deaf and communicates using ASL, applied and landed an interview.

After impressing the manager with her energy and enthusiasm, Chrissy accepted a position at Agape Oasis Child Development Center. She continued receiving follow-up support for just over a year before successfully closing with MEC.

Today, Chrissy is pursuing a degree in early childhood education. She shares, “I love working with children and teaching them ASL. Some children are already picking up signs, which is awesome! I really enjoy working at the daycare with staff who support me.”

To learn more about MEC or read more success stories, visit: https://mnemploymentcenter.org/

01/02/2026

As we step into the new year, we’re filled with gratitude for all we accomplished together in 2025.

From festive celebrations and creative projects to community events and outings, 2025 was full of excitement!

None of it would have been possible without our partners, volunteers, and community of support.

Thank you for making 2025 unforgettable. Here’s to an amazing 2026! 💫

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Rise! 🎉

We’re stepping into 2026 with gratitude for the moments we shared in 2025, and with excitement for what’s ahead!

2026 is going to be packed with new opportunities, and we don’t want you to miss a thing. Make sure you're staying up-to-date with Rise in all the ways you can. Head to our various platforms and click follow/subscribe!

• Join our email list: https://bit.ly/4pzVx6R
• Instagram: instagram.com/rise.mn
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rise-inc-
• TikTok: tiktok.com/.mn
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/-inc

12/31/2025

Congratulations to November Champion of the Month, Marian Garcia Gonzaga!

Marian is a dedicated DSP Level 3 at Rise C**n Rapids who loves building connections and seeing the people we serve grow over time.

Marian shares: “Knowing that I can make a positive impact, even in small ways, is very fulfilling. It’s rewarding to help people feel supported, confident, and safe. Every day feels meaningful.”

Learn more about Marian here: rise.org/champion-marian-garcia-gonzaga/

Congratulations, Marian! 👏