Recent News

Thank you to all who came and supported our Super Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the VFW, and making it a success! Thank you Kiwanis for serving the delicious meal, the Iowa Lakes Community College Swim Team and Coach Todd Peters and the Horizons Unlimited employees and members who volunteered to help with this event. What a great group of volunteers! We want to thank DeJa Brew and Fareway for the beverage donations, and also thank you to Lou Ann Huberty and Wayne Turck from the VFW for your help. Thank you again everyone for coming to the breakfast and supporting Horizons Unlimited!

Horizons Unlimited is demonstrating its commitment to Direct Support Professionals (DSP's) and other employees by becoming a member of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). Membership through NADSP means that Horizons Unlimited is making an investment in staff development and devoting organizational resources to equipping Direct Support Professionals with the tools needed for on-the-job success.

NADSP will provide Horizons Direct Support Professionals training and educational opportunities, says Ron Askland, CEO, Horizons Unlimited, "that can lead to a credentialing process and a career ladder".

Horizons Unlimited is initiating its membership with NADSP in 2019, which will continue throughout the calendar year. NADSP Membership will help strengthen the mission of Horizons Unlimited which is "Providing opportunities for our Horizons family to develop their full potential in a positive atmosphere."

"All of our members are sending a clear message to their staff which is that they truly matter," says Joseph Macbeth, Executive Director of NADSP. "Beyond just the symbolic gesture, organizations are also receiving exclusive access to resources and information that will improve supports and services."

In maintaining their membership status with NADSP, the employees of Horizons Unlimited will be able to attend private webinars, receive e-newsletters, utilize discounted conference registration rates, and apply a 10% discount for NADSP offerings. Along with these membership benefits, Horizons Unlimited will be featured on NADSP's website, highlighting their dedication to the people they employ, and in turn, the people they support.

The vision of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is world-wide with a highly qualified and professional direct support workforce that partners with, supports, and empowers people with disabilities to lead a life of their choosing. NADSP works to elevate the status of direct support professionals by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, and advancing their knowledge, skills, and values, through certification, credentialing, training, professional development, and accreditation services. The website for NADSP is www.nadsp.org.

A retirement party was held on Friday, December 28, 2018, for Evelyn Schneider who retired as the Human Resource Specialist/Administrative Assistant. Evelyn worked for Horizons Unlimited for 12 1/2 years. Horizons Unlimited hosted a party for Evelyn, and the staff and members stopped in to wish her good luck on her retirement. We asked Evelyn what she will miss most about working at Horizons, and Evelyn stated, "I will miss the staff and the members the most!". We thank Evelyn for her time and dedication to Horizons Unlimited. She will surely be missed!

The members enjoyed a Christmas Party held at the Parish Center on Friday, December 21st, 2018. The management team served the members and staff pizza and pop. The members dressed up as the nativity scene and Jack Parish also dressed up as a Santa for the afternoon. The members thought it was extra special to have two Santas to take pictures with! The members also sang karaoke, played games, and visited with each other. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon of fun and food!

Horizons Unlimited employees wore Ugly Christmas Sweaters at the office on Wednesday, December 12th. Pictured here are Evelyn Schneider, HR Specialist, Kristen Elbert, Day Hab Coordinator, Ron Askland, CEO, Lori Morey, Fundraising Specialist, Joe Veltri, Dir. of Job Development, and Carla Firkins, QA Coordinator.

We want to thank PARC Hall from the Palo Alto County Systems in Emmetsburg for donating numerous gifts this holiday season for the Horizons members. We so appreciate our partnership with PARC Hall and the generosity they continuosly show us. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness!

On November 21st, staff and members enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal prepared by Tanna Kampen from Kampens Catering. Judy Gralapp and Ciara Bennum helped serve the meal that was prepared along with CEO Ron Askland. Both members and staff enjoyed this special day together.

At the Veteran's Appreciation Coffee held on November 7, 2018, Horizons Unlimited staff presented their employees who are veterans a special mug with an etched flag and their name on them made by Shell Iwen, Blossoming Creations in Emmetsburg. Staff were encouraged to bring pictures of veterans that they know or have known and we displayed them on the wall in our conference room. Here receiving the mugs are staff members (l to r) Joe Veltri, who served in the United States Navy as a SeaBee in NMCB 3 (Navy Mobile Construction Batallion) Rate and Rank BU# (Builder 3rd Class Petty Officer), James Ballas, who served as an Army Sergeant First Class, and Cathy Benjamin, who served as an Army Staff Sergeant, Combat Medic/Mortuary Specialist/Humanitarian. We thank all those who serve and are now serving in our military. 

Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce Tailgate Event was held on September 14th. We want to thank Jeff Morey for making the Football Throw Board Game. It was a hit! Pictured here getting ready for the fun event are helpers (L to R) Travis Spoo, Elizabeth Fofana, Deanna Lansink, and Lori Morey.

Holly Carter, Manager of 21st Street Group Home along with the staff and members hosted a Chamber Coffee on Friday, September 14th, 2018 from 9:30 am-10:30 am. All of the staff and members lended a hand in helping to make the coffee a success! Getting everything ready and prepared for the Chamber Coffee was a team effort and alot of fun! Scones, pastries, and cookies were served along with hot coffee and great conversations! Deb Hite, Chamber Director also helped in serving the coffee. Thank you everyone for coming!

Kate Simonson received the Direct Support Professional Award at the Iowa Association of Community Providers event held on September 12th, 2018 at Kimbucks in Emmetsburg. Kate is the Palmer Street Group Home Manager and is a Certified Direct Support Professional through the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals. Kate has been employed at Horizons Unlimited for 19 years and in the Manager's role for the past 17 years. Ben Haywood, Director of Training, from the Iowa Association of Community Providers was the presenter for the event. The Direct Support Professionals in attendance participated in both small and large group discussions, enjoyed meeting other Direct Support Professionals, and also enjoyed the food provided courtesy of the Board of Directors from Horizons Unlimited. Horizons Unlimited congratulates Kate Simonson on receiving this well deserved Award.
Direct Support Professionals work to support people with differing abilities in a way that is person-centered. They empower the individual to make their own decisions and collaborate with the person they are supporting. It is a rewarding career requiring a skilled professional with a caring heart. Horizons Unlimited is very proud to have these employees who work very hard and care deeply about those persons that they work with each and every day. 
The Iowa Association of Community Providers (IACP) has advocated for Iowa providers for more than 35 years. IACP is the statewide trade association representing 130 community-based organizations for more than 30,000 employees. Those organizations support over 140,000 Iowans in need of mental health and disability services. IACP members provide services in all 99 Iowa counties and annually contribute over $13 billion to Iowa's economy.