Spero MN

11/18/2025

“I’m eternally grateful for the job I get to do every day.”

Nicole Buck has been part of the Spero family for 8 years, serving as the Mental Health Practitioner Lead at Safe Harbor—our residential program. Every day, she helps instill hope and teach vital coping skills, including one of the most powerful tools we have: gratitude.

"Gratitude is something we need to reflect on—not just during the holidays, but all year long. It helps us pause, take a breath, and appreciate the little things.”

Working in mental health, Nicole witnesses incredible transformations. Her most fulfilling moments? Watching clients take brave steps into more supported and independent lives, filled with purpose, progress, and moments of joy.

“I hope more people will join us in reflecting on what they’re grateful for. Even small things matter.”

💬 What are you grateful for today?

11/12/2025

Meet Courtney, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor on our Substance Use & Recovery Team.

In this video, she shares what fills her with gratitude -- the chance to walk alongside others in recovery, witness transformation, and grow together. 💚

"I'm just grateful to be part of that journey... and so thankful for my supportive team—I couldn't do this without them."

Gratitude is powerful. What are you grateful for today?

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 This Veterans Day, Let’s Honor Service—with Support

Today, we remember the bravery, sacrifice, and strength of those who’ve served. But we also recognize that coming home doesn’t always mean the battle is over.

For many veterans, the invisible wounds of war—like PTSD, depression, and anxiety—can linger long after the uniform is folded away. These are real, valid struggles. And they deserve real, compassionate care.

This Veterans Day, let’s go beyond gratitude.
✅ Let’s advocate for mental health support.
✅ Let’s check in on our veterans.
✅ Let’s make space for their stories—without judgment.

To every veteran: You are seen. You are valued. And you don’t have to carry it alone.

11/03/2025

We recognize the hardships our communities may face in the upcoming days and weeks, and are asking for your support in helping our local food shelves meet local needs.
Spero will be collecting funds to share with food shelves in Dodge, Steele and Waseca Counties. Our food shelves can stretch a dollar further than we can through their food networks. Using the QR code below, you can help support with your PayPal account. All funds collected will go directly to these food shelves.

Don't have PayPal but still want to contribute? Connect with any Spero team member, or support your own local food shelf with cash or a food donation. Hunger knows no boundaries.

We all do better, when we all do better!

10/31/2025

This Halloween, let's talk about the real monsters.

Sure, haunted houses and jump scares can be fun—but some of the scariest things we face aren’t found in the dark.
🎃 Anxiety that creeps in like a shadow
🎃 Depression that drains the color from our world
🎃 Intrusive thoughts that feel like whispers we can’t silence

But you are not your fear.
You are not broken.
You are not alone.

Mental health struggles can feel terrifying, but talking about them shouldn’t be.

Let’s normalize checking in with ourselves and each other.
Let's be the kind of support that scares stigma away.

It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to feel afraid. And it’s more than okay to take care of your mind.

10/10/2025

💚 World Mental Health Day 💚
Today is a powerful reminder that mental health is health — and it matters every single day.

This year, let’s break the silence, challenge stigma, and create space for honest conversations. Whether you're thriving, surviving, or somewhere in between, your mental health journey is valid. You are not alone.

✨ Check in on a friend.
✨ Be kind to yourself.
✨ Reach out if you need support.

Let’s build a world where mental health is understood, supported, and prioritized — for everyone.

10/01/2025

09/29/2025

What happens when you call the Mobile Response Team?

✔️ A real person listens.
✔️ We ask about your needs, your strengths, and what’s going on.
✔️ If needed, we come to you — at home or wherever you feel safe.

Our team does more than talk. We guide.
We connect people to resources. We teach coping skills. We walk with families.
We even help apply for insurance or get to appointments.

No insurance? No problem.
No cost. No barriers. Just care.

📍 Serving Waseca, Steele, Mower & Dodge counties
📞 Text MN to 741741 or call our 24/7 crisis line at 844-274-7472

09/26/2025

We don’t make important decisions in a closed room. Every big change at Spero starts with a table full of perspectives:

➡️ Direct line staff, who know the daily challenges
➡️ Supervisors and managers, who understand the broader picture
➡️ Leadership, who steer the vision
➡️ Clients, who trust us with their care

Including these voices means asking not only “what’s possible?” but also “what are the impacts?” and “how will this feel on the ground?” When a policy shifts or a new program launches, it reflects the realities and needs of everyone involved—not just those with a seat at the executive table.

This process takes more time, but it pays off. People feel seen, ideas surface that would have been missed, and our decisions work better for the community. That’s what real collaboration looks like.

09/23/2025

"Sometimes decisions have to be made that are unpopular, but we work hard to ensure we understand the cause and effect."

Rebranding to Spero was a bold move — one that required trust, transparency, and deep reflection.

Leading with integrity means making decisions that serve the long-term health of your mission, even when they're hard. It means listening, being accountable, and staying grounded in your values.

The result?
🟡 Stronger employee engagement
🟡 More trust across the board
🟡 Greater community connection
🟡 A foundation for long-term impact

We’re proud of how far we’ve come — and even more excited about what’s ahead.