It is time again to recycle those old holiday lights and extension cords that are no longer working or needed.  Here is a list of locations where you can drop off your cords and holiday lights for free:

St. Cloud and surrounding area:
* DocuShred - Waite Park
* Sentry Bank - St. Cloud and St. Joseph locations
* Denny & Kathy's Ace Hardware
* MinnWest Bank
* TownSquare Media
* Tri-County Solid Waste
* Brenny Transport
* Lee's Ace Hardware
* Mimbach Fleet Supply

Alexandria area:
* Ace Hardware
* Runestone Electric
* Area Public Schools
* Alexandria Light & Power

Other areas:
* Becker True Value in Becker
* St. John's University in Collegeville
* Foley Hardware & Appliance in Foley
* Ace Hardware in Little Falls
* Ace Hardware in Long Prairie
* Royalton PTO in Royalton
* Ace Hardware in Sauk Centre

Thank you for recycling!

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) announced in October that WACOSA, a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities in Waite Park, has received an honorable mention for the MN Nonprofit Excellence Award, the only of its kind to be given this year. The award committee was highly complimentary of WACOSA’s outstanding commitment to delivering support for persons with barriers to employment and challenges to daily living. The award is based on how well an organization adheres to the MN Best Practices and Policies for Nonprofits. WACOSA accepted a beautiful glass bowl award, hand blown by Robinson Scott, at MCN’s annual award banquet in St. Paul.

The Apple iPad is sweeping the nation as a fun piece of technology. At WACOSA, however, iPads are more than just fun they are life-changing for the people we serve.

Imagine having a voice to express yourself for the first time in your life or using technology to replace the traditional eye and hand coordination normally required to access and operate a typical computer. One WACOSA client who has cerebral palsy is now able to communicate with a voice using software that will speak words that are typed. For others who cannot type or spell, software is available that allows individuals with communication difficulties to form sentences by pointing at pictures.

For individuals with poor dexterity in their fingers and hands, the reward for introducing iPads has been significant. Many individuals served by WACOSA are learning to use state-of-the-art computer technology and are practicing these skills, while acquiring increased flexibility and therapeutic benefit. In addition to supporting speech and writing for people who, at one time, did not have these skills, the iPad broadens client engagement with the world by offering a variety of different applications. Some clients have been able to create art for the very first time, while others are learning to cook. The list of new skills is growing rapidly as our clients spread their wings discovering new applications for this life-changing technology.

WACOSA currently serves 500 clients with just 17 iPads, a ratio of about one iPad for every 30 individuals served in our program. It is so important that we acquired additional iPad units to meet the demand for this new and liberating technology. We ask that you consider a tax deductible gift of any amount to help us reach our goal of tripling the current number of iPads our clients have available to them.

To donate you can mail a check with iPad in the memo line to WACOSA, PO Box 757, Waite Park, MN 56387 or go to the donation tab on this website and specify iPad in the memo field.

If you would like to learn more about the Apple iPad or to see one in use, please contact Ann Kennedy at WACOSA at 320-257-5191 or akennedy@wacosa.org. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

National Vision, located in St. Cloud Minnesota, is the fourth largest optical company in the nation. Part of this success can be attributed to their ability to think innovatively regarding all aspects of their company model, right down to the rubber bands they use. During one part of their manufacturing process product is received that is bound together by rubber bands. As a result, they collect thousands of rubber bands every week. National Vision’s management team could not stand the thought of dumping all of those rubber bands into the local landfill. They were convinced there had to be a more environmentally sound solution that would benefit someone in need.

That’s when Holly Naber of National Vision contacted Ann Kennedy, the Marketing and Development Manager at WACOSA. WACOSA is a nonprofit organization with locations in Waite Park, St. Cloud and Sauk Centre Minnesota, serving adults with a variety of mental and physical challenges. These challenges create barriers to employment that WACOSA helps individuals to overcome. Holly knew that WACOSA does a significant amount of mailing and outsourcing work for area businesses and thought that maybe WACOSA could use the rubber bands. When Ann got the call from Holly she gladly picked up the first round of rubber bands that had been collected.

It didn’t take long for WACOSA staff to determine that National Vision was donating a much greater number of rubber bands than could ever be used by the organization. So Ann started distributing them to other non-profit organizations throughout the area. From there, National Vision’s innovative idea has grown to the point that people now stop by Ann’s office at WACOSA’s Waite Park facility to pick up rubber bands for distribution at area schools and churches. To date, 12 local non-profits have benefited from National Vision’s act of generosity.

“WACOSA loves collaborating with local businesses and non-profits,” says Ann Kennedy. “We will continue to explore new ideas for use of these rubber bands. Currently we are considering the concept of paying the people in our programs to re-package them for distribution at a later time. WACOSA is no stranger to innovative ideas when it comes to the concept of recycling. We received an Innovation Award (“I” Award) in 2009 from the Center for Non-Profit Excellence and Social Innovation for our recycling efforts and ideas. We are always looking for unique approaches to helping our community become more socially responsible so that our world will be a healthier and greener place. At the same time, we are gratified to see jobs created from these efforts for the people that are a part of the WACOSA’s labor force. We and all of the other non-profit organizations who benefited from these rubber bands are grateful for this innovative venture introduced by National Vision. With some seemingly everyday household item, National Vision has truly shown itself to be “visionary”, indeed.”

Waite Park, MN — 9/29/2010 — CARF International (www.carf.org) announced that WACOSA has been re-accredited for a period of three years in 4 areas for Employment Services and 2 areas for Community Services, including Older Adult Services and for the optional Governance Standards attesting to WACOSA’s commitment to strong leadership. Most notably, WACOSA accomplished this accreditation and received no recommendations during the review process. As noted by CARF President/CEO, Brian Boone, Ph.D., “This is an extraordinary accomplishment, as only 3 percent of CARF surveys result in no recommendations”. CARF accredits over 46,000 programs worldwide.

The latest accreditation is the 5th consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body has awarded to WACOSA. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation thatcan be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-YearAccreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programsand services are of the highest quality, are measurable and accountable.

WACOSA is a non-profit organization with offices at 320/321 Sundial Drive in Waite Park, MN, at the Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN and 712 Lincoln Loop, Sauk Centre, MN. It has been providing vocational services to adults with disabilities in Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne counties since 1963.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is topromote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

For additional information, contact Steve Howard at 320-251-0087.

WACOSA was recently honored with an Innovation Award (“I” Award) for its innovative services for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and ASD-related concerns. The award will be presented by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence & Social Innovation (CNESI) on October 13th, 2010 at the Innovation Summit at the Best Western Kelly Inn in St. Cloud, MN. This is the second such award that WACOSA has been honored with from the CNESI in the past 2-year period. Thanks to all who have had a part in developing these services and to all WACOSA staff whose contributions in every way help our organization be the best it can be.

WACOSA, in partnership with the Recycling Association of Minnesota and other fine organizations is now accepting holiday lights and electrical cords for recycling, free of charge. Teaming up with businesses and organizations throughout central Minnesota (see current list below) there are multiple drop sites for this exciting opportunity to "go green."
What we accept:

• Electrical cords
• Holiday lights - even the lights are recycled!
• Appliance cords
• Electrical wiring
• Telephone cords

We DO NOT accept:

• Cords with battery packs
• Cords with adapters
• Cords attached to appliances or the original item (cords only please)
• Cords attached to large holiday decorations (cords only please)

CURRENT DROP OFF SITES:

• WACOSA DocuShred in Waite Park
• St. Cloud State University - Maintanance Building Only
• Wenner's Hardware in Cold Spring
• Foley Hardware & Appliance in Foley
• St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
• Girl Scouts, Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines in Waite Park
• Waite Park City Hall
• Tri-County Solid Waste in St. Cloud
• Denny & Kathy's Ace Hardware, both St. Cloud locations

Check back for more drop locations as this great program grows!

If you're interested in becoming a drop site or would like more information please contact Beth Sueker at 320-257-5182, bsueker@wacosa.org, OR Ann Roesler at 320-257-5191, aroesler@wacosa.org.

In March, 2010, WACOSA clients and staff took part in United Way of Central Minnesota’s Feed Our Families food drive. This years Feed Our Families event received matching dollars provided by Central Minnesota Community Foundation, U.S. Bank, and the United Way of Central Minnesota. WACOSA has a tradition of reaching out to its community and giving back. The food drive has been, and remains an important piece of WACOSA’s commitment to community. WACOSA staff and clients dropped off $63.76 in cash donations, and 269 pounds of food at Catholic Charities to support this important food drive event. The donations were divided by need between The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities Emergency Services.

DISABILITY ADVOCACY GROUP ENCOURAGES STATE’S ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PROTECT VULNERABLE MINNESOTANS STRONG STATE LEADERSHIP NEEDED TO PUSH FOR INNOVATIVE SERIVCES, NOT CUTS WAITE PARK, MN – April 21, 2010 –

At a news conference in Waite Park today, The Arc of Minnesota encouraged state elected officials to provide the leadership to protect persons with disabilities from harmful cuts to human services. The organization advocates for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

“Our legislators and the Governor must help must promote innovations in human services, not just propose more service cuts,” Pat Mellenthin, The Arc of Minnesota Executive Director said. “The Governor’s proposed cuts are a tax on our most vulnerable citizens. The cuts create greater stress on families with children with disabilities, and make people with disabilities less independent and more isolated from their communities.”

“We are already seeing the effect of cuts on people with developmental disabilities here in the St. Cloud area,” said Cindy Owen, Executive Director for Arc Midstate. “They have less to spend on personal items like clothes and personal hygiene products, and further cuts may mean fewer work hours and even less income. Families raising their children with significant disabilities at home would face funding cuts this year on top of last year’s reductions.”

Stories from local individuals affected by the cuts illustrated Mellenthin’s and Owen’s points. Paul Thomas gets assistance from Stearns County so he can work three days a week through WACOSA, an agency that helps people with developmental disabilities gain employment. His funding also helps pay for the $20 he needs every month for bus fare to get around town and to help pay for necessities. However, this funding was cut by 10%, and funding for his employment program is targeted for cuts, too. “This assistance helps me live as independently as I can. If my employment program was cut, I may not be able to come to work as much.”

Services that are still available for people with disabilities make a big difference in their lives, and those that give individuals and families more control over their services can cost less than traditional services. Teri and Rick Bierman, a St. Cloud couple, has benefited from a program funded by Medical Assistance that helps raise Maryn, their daughter with significant disabilities, in their home. It provides them funds for the medications, nursing care, and specialized diet for Maryn requires. The individualized services they pay for cost 70% of what traditional services would cost. “Innovative services like those that the Biermans receive are ones that our elected officials should strongly promote,” said Mellenthin. “These services can help create a more sustainable system that also makes life possible for families who have children with disabilities. However, even these services would be cut under the Governor’s budget, after having received cuts last year.”

The Governor’s budget would mean an additional $347 million less for human services – a larger reduction than any other area of the state budget. Cuts would reduce rates to service providers, including employment services and the in-home services for families like the Biermans; eliminate physical, occupational, and speech therapy for adults on Medical Assistance; cap the number of new services for the 4,000 Minnesotans who are waiting to live in the community; and eliminate specially-prescribed diets for low-income Minnesotans with serious medical conditions, among others.

The Minnesota House and Senate have not yet released their overall budgets for human service spending for this session. At this point, they are waiting to hear how much money will be available for human services in Minnesota through the federal stimulus bill and health care reform. Some specific bills already introduced in the Minnesota House, however, would make harsh cuts to human services. For example, a bill was heard in Minnesota House committees last month that would accelerate last year’s cuts to personal care attendant (PCA) services. (PCA services are a cost-effective way to help individuals with disabilities remain as independent as possible.)

The Arc of Minnesota provides advocacy and support for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families so they can choose how they live, learn, work, and play in their communities. Founded in 1951, it has 5,400 members and 12 affiliated chapters statewide. Arc Midstate is the local affiliated chapter and is based on Waite Park. Founded in 1969, Arc Midstate serves Benton, Stearns, Todd and Morrison counties. In 2009 it provided advocacy, resources, and connections to more than 2,800 individuals in its service area.