In this issue: HR pro marks 40 years . . . Still time to support . . . Program highlights

From dancing, tasty luncheons, gifts, ProAct clothing and live music to colorful decorations, a grand march and tin crafts, this year's ProAct service awards impressed participants, families and staff as people marked milestones. Each site designed its own celebration, honoring the people ProAct serves and reaffirming a commitment to make lives better. Click the images and locations below for more details.

Eagan | Shakopee | Hudson | Red Wing

In her four decades serving ProAct, Jo Ann Peine’s joys are many, but high on her list is watching participants grow and advance in their life goals and doing her part to make ProAct an employee-friendly place to work.

“I enjoy working with the staff and like helping them with things like benefits, employment verifications, and more,” said Peine, who is director of human resources.

When she joined the organization in 1982, the 10-year-old nonprofit that began in Hastings was called Owobopte and operated from a Lakeville facility. A friend recommended Owobopte, where Peine accepted a timekeeper position.

Payroll for participants was all done by manual calculation because there were no computers, and it was a tedious and time-consuming process, she recalls. “I would do the manual calculations which were then sent to our accounting firm, and they processed the checks.” -more-

If you missed ProAct's emails about Give to the Max, or were thinking about making a contribution - there's still time to support ProAct's Leisure Center planned for 2023. It will serve the nonprofit's older participant population and those with chronic and changing disabilities at the Eagan site. -more- P.S. Thank you to the dozens of donors who have moved the needle toward the $30k goal!

On November 1, one week before the mid-term elections, ProAct participants received a special presentation from the Minnesota Disability Law Center.

Justin Page shared information about voting rights and accessibility services. The virtual event allowed roughly 100 participants from all ProAct locations to log in, watch, get excited and eagerly ask questions.

They watched a demonstration of how to enter an address and find their polling place and learned the variety of ways people can place their votes! -more-

Eagan's "Let's Film It" class performed and produced the "Creepiest and Scariest Ghouls of ProAct" and the "Pandemic Play." Click on the images above to view.

"Thank you and all your staff for your dedication and work at ProAct! The photos sent out in the newsletter say it all with the clients' smiling faces. Lisa has truly enjoyed having a safe and happy place to attend each and every day for many years. She has benefited from her employment and many activities with friends, especially walks, basketball and music."

-Lana U., mother of Lisa U. in Shakopee

ProAct is pleased to share its 2022 Annual Report with important facts, recaps and stories about the nonprofit's work in Evolving, Elevating and Enriching Lives.

"It has been an extraordinary and exciting year," said Board Chair Arleen Sullivan and President and CEO Judie Foster-Lupkin. Through the challenges, ProAct has remained true to its mission of providing person-centered services that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. Please view the report, share it with others and continue to engage with ProAct. -more-

Day Support Services in Eagan began October with its second annual Fall Festival. “The week was filled with fall crafts, visits to an apple orchard, fall-themed games and everyone enjoyed a Little Debbie fall decorated cake,” said Senior Program Manager Stephanie Osman.

“It was wonderful being able to get outside and fun to watch all areas work as a team to search high and low for all those pumpkins.”

Participants and staff interacted with sculptures at Red Wing's Anderson Center, and they purchased and donated more than 200 pairs of socks to help others. People dressed the part, bobbed for apples and visited an orchard. -more-

The Hudson location had a jam packed closeout to fall with a festival, scavenger hunt and pumpkin search. Participants visited parks, received a full tour at the Hudson Fire Department and reveled in bingo games and Halloween costumes. -more-

Santa displays at Lowe's meshed well with a first trip out in the snow by Shakopee participants. Back in-center, a plethora of special day activities involved peace, hiking, pickles, rides and even Mickey Mouse. Creativity and enjoyment were overflowing with ProAct's Scott County groups. -more-

Check out Shakopee's food shelf campaign,

Halloween event photos and polka players.