Recent News | Horizons Unlimited

Horizons Unlimited's Fall Newsletter

October 20, 2020

HU_Newsletter_Fall-Winter_2020-2021.pdf

Letter to Families in Group Homes

October 15, 2020

October 14, 2020

Dear Members, Families, and Friends,

We want to inform you of some exciting new paths our Managers and Leadership team have been exploring. Trends in the industry are going to small homes in the community for our members rather than group homes. This will allow true choices for members. It will also allow for less regulations that they need to live by and allow plans to be individualized much easier.

Many of our inquiries for services are people with mental disabilities. Our group homes are for people with intellectual disabilities, and people with mental health waivers are not eligible for services there. Over time it is getting harder to keep the group homes at full membership with the regulations, and we are turning away others who would benefit from services. HCBS homes seem to be the answer to both these problems.

We would retain our group homes, keeping 4 members living in each home. Each member would have 2 rooms and a bath. We are exploring options of homes in the area with 4 bedrooms that would meet the needs of our members. No one would be forced to move from the group homes. It is our intention to offer more choices, not less.

We will keep you up to date as we explore this option. We need to contact many agencies like DIA and HUD to be sure we stay in compliance with their rules. So we are several steps away from making actual changes. We just want to make information available to you on these new opportunities we are exploring.

Sincerely,

Leadership Team at Horizons

Carla Firkins, CEO

Janelle Lindell, CFO

Deborah Hughes, Nursing/QA

Program evaluation for 2019 - 2020

October 13, 2020

We had great response in our Program evaluation this year!! Check it out on the link below!

2019-2020_Program_Evaluation_Final.pdf

Quacking for a Cause Winners Announced!

September 23, 2020

Thank you everyone who supported Horizons Unlimted "Quacking for a Cause" event. It was a success with raising over $8,000 for the adults with disabilities served by Horizons Unlimited. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped before, during and after the event! Thank you to all of the sponsors who sponsored the event also.

Thank you Donors

September 8, 2020

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the "Quacking for a Cause" Fundraising event scheduled on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 6:00 pm. Donations have exceeded $8,000.00. Thank you again everyone!

Thank you to our Gold Sponsors

September 8, 2020

Thank you all for your support for Horizons Unlimited's upcoming "Quacking for a Cause" Facebook event on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 6:00 pm. We would especially like to thank to our Gold and Silver sponsors for sponsoring this event. THANK YOU ALL!!! We are looking forward to a fun event. Please be sure and mark your calendars so you can view our "Quacking for a Cause" Facebook event. Good luck to everyone who bought duckies! May the luckiest ducks win!!

Thank you to our Silver Sponsors

September 8, 2020

Thank you all for your support for Horizons Unlimited's upcoming "Quacking for a Cause" Facebook event on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 6:00 pm. We would especially like to thank to our Gold and Silver sponsors for sponsoring this event. THANK YOU ALL!!! We are looking forward to a fun event. Please be sure and mark your calendars so you can view our "Quacking for a Cause" Facebook event. Good luck to everyone who bought duckies! May the luckiest ducks win!!

Bethany Lutheran Church Parade

July 22, 2020

Thank you to Kristin Rienhardt, Youth and Family Director at Bethany Lutheran Church, Emmetsburg for calling Horizons Unlimited and setting up a very fun and entertaining parade held on July 15th for the members and staff The parade visited each Group Home and apartments to entertain everyone. Thank you also for the bag of goodies that you gave us! Thanks again to Kristin, Pastor Morlock and all who shared their time and talent with us

Grant Received from the Iowa DDCouncil

June 23, 2020

We would like to thank the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council for the grant that we received to purchase three Apple 7th Generation Ipads and Tablet protective cases for each of our Group Homes. The members will enjoy using these Ipads during this Pandemic time to listen to music videos, communicate with family and friends, and other fun activities that they would like to do. Thank you again to the Iowa DDCouncil for this opportunity! We truly appreciate your support!

Delta Dental Smile Grant

June 17, 2020

Horizons Unlimited was very excited to receive from the Delta Dental Smile Grant over 400 of each of these oral health items; Oral-B Toothbrushes, Glide Pro-Health dental floss, and Crest Toothpaste. We would like to thank Delta Dental for giving these oral health items to us!

The One Gift Program

June 4, 2020

The One Gift Program gives State of Iowa employees the opportunity to contribute to participating charitable agencies through payroll deduction. Over 400 charitable agencies offer much-needed assistance to Iowans throughout the state by providing a variety of services, like Horizons Unlimited of Palo Alto County. When you contribute to the One Gift Program, your donation stays in Iowa, where it helps your neighbors, friends, and family. To make a pledge, simply visit das.iowa.gov/human-resources/one-gift/.

21st Group Home's New Driveway

June 4, 2020

21st Street Group Home now has a new driveway thanks to your generosity. The members also enjoyed watching the progress as the new driveway was being constructed. Thanks again for your continued support. We also want to thank Dan Cooper Builders for their construction of the driveway. It looks great!