Recent News

Join Horizons Unlimited in finding out "who done it?". Last year's production "Muuuurder in Mayberry" was a hit, so please reserve your seat and join us again this year for the production of "Bullets in the Bathtub", by the Jest Murder Mystery Company on October 20th, 2018 at 4:00 pm at the Wild Rose Casino Ballroom. A delicious meal will be included along with a cash bar. 
"Bullets in the Bathtub" will bring you back to the 1920's where bathtubs were made for one thing only. To make gin! Lot's of gangsters are showing up at "Cherry Speakeasy" to talk about the turf war going on between the Corneolis and the Buttafuccos. Just when we think things are going to settle down, in comes Harry Hyde, (the famous Russian mobster). He sure does know how to make enemies! Deadly ones! I guess the local constable, Doyle Lonnegan, will come and solve the crime, but not before things get pretty wild!
You'll meet crazy characters like Red E. Mix, (the local concrete salesman), Trixie, (the owner of Cherry's) and many others before we find out who put "da finger" on Harry's Hyde! Was it Larry, The Rug? Was it Joey, The Lips? Or maybe, J Edna Hoover?
Please call Lori Morey, Fundraising Specialist at (712) 852-2211 ext. 102 if you would like to purchase tickets or be one of our business sponsors. Gold Business Sponsorship ($100) includes (2) tickets to the event, online marketing, newspaper marketing, signage at the event, and printing in the event program. Plantinum Sponsorship ($250) includes additional marketing; radio marketing, Channel 3 TV Marketing, and separate signage at the event. Individual ticket price is $25.00. When you come to "Bullets in the Bathtub", don't forget to wear your gangster hat and join in on the fun! 

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.

Thank you everyone for making the Cookie Dough Fundraiser a success! Thank you to co-owners of The Chololate Season of Algona and their employees for making the delicious cookie dough. 

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!

Our May 2018 Community Life Engagement newsletter is out! Click here to read it and find out about what our members have been doing in the CLE program as of last month.

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!

Our April 2018 Community Life Engagement newsletter is out! Click here to read it and find out about what our members have been doing in the CLE program as of last month.