Recent News

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.

Pilot Project Launched at Horizons Unlimited

Horizons Unlimited is the first in the state to receive training on the Smart Living Technology Program provided by Able Link Technologies.

The Horizons Unlimited Board approved submitting a grant to the PACDGC for the Smart Living Technology Program provided by Able Link Technologies. The program uses cutting-edge software integrated with Android units (kiosks, tablets, and phones) to enable individuals with disabilities to lead lives that are as independent, community-integrated, and to be successful as possible. The Hardware and Software includes; three Windows All-in-One Desktop Computers with Smart Living Suite 3.0 software installed, eight Android Tablets with Endeavor Mobile Software (Endeavor 3 and Visual Impact 3) installed; one Android Kiosk/Tablet with ATLAS VantagePoint software installed; one copy of Smart Living Suite 3.0 software; two copies of the WayFinder 3 app; and one copy of ATLAS VantagePoint software.

On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, the initial Project launch took place at Horizons Unlimited. This orientation was provided by AbleLink Founder and President Daniel K. Davies and Rich Herold, Customer Experience Director. This on-site training for the leadership team, included a Project overview, orientation to all of the hardware and software, product demonstrations, hands-on training, and consultation.

Phase I Support will take place in the next one to six months. This will include six live trainings, question and answer webinars specific to Horizon’s staff, premium tech support, and initial consultation for implementation and problem-solving in real-life situations.

Phase II Support will be the next seven to twelve months and this will include access to specialized training webinars, ongoing research projects, and planning for future implementation and extensions.

Throughout the Project, AbleLink will provide access to a customized Learning Library and the VantagePoint Reports data management service.
Horizons serves 60 disabled members of our community, whom this project has the potential to benefit. Horizons has contributed up to $3.5 million/year in spending to the area economy. As government rules have mandated the closure of sheltered workshops, and Iowa Managed Care has placed financial burdens on service providers, it has become important to rely upon the latest technology to help disabled residents be as successful and independent as possible. Horizons Unlimited offers supported Community Living, Community Life Engagement and Job Development Services to individuals with disabilities. The Smart Living Technology Program provided by Able Link Technologies will provide the latest technology to benefit individuals with disability. Ron Askland, CEO, added, “We are very excited to have this opportunity to use technology to create greater independence for our members. Many thanks to the Palo Alto County Gaming Development Corporation for their support.”

 

 

Horizons Unlimited welcomes Joe Veltri as the new Director of Job Development. Joe is replacing Josiah Schmidt who is relocating out-of-state for graduate school. Mr. Veltri has been working with Horizons for the past two years. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Iowa.  

Says Mr. Veltri: “I am excited to have this opportunity, and look forward to continuing building relationships with businesses in the community.”

Horizons Unlimited is excited to announce Lori Morey as our new Fundraising Specialist! Lori will be lending her talents and experience to fundraising, event planning, public relations, and marketing, all in service of our mission to help people with disabilities.

Horizons Unlimited is pleased to welcome Suzette Biddle, a new Direct Support Professional working at our 19th Street Group Home!

Special Olympics is hosting Challenge Day at the Smith Wellness Center on Saturday June 2nd beginning at 9:30 am with a parade of athletes. Lunch and t-shirts are provided free of charge to all participants and athletes. Athletes will have the opportunity to bring home 10 ribbons and a trophy. This is the first time Special Olympics has hosted this in Emmetsburg and for Horizons. We are excited and grateful to be part of it. Everyone is welcome to come, watch, and root for Horizons members!