VHEDC nonprofits
NORTHEAST METRO NONPROFITS DOING ALL THEY CAN TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY
The North Metro is lucky to have a number of nonprofits doing great work for the people who live in our communities . The White Bear Area Food Shelf and Solid Ground make sure residents who are living in the margins have the support they need , while Hammer & NER , TSE , Inc ., Newtrax , Merrick , Inc ., and PAI help seniors and those with disabilities live the best quality of life possible .
Partners for Good is VHEDC ’ s nonprofit collaborative serving the nonprofit sector . The co-chairs are Karen Herrera , Merrick , Inc ., and Tracy Pierre , White Bear Area Food Shelf . To get involved go to VHEDC . com
Merrick , Inc .
This will be a year of celebration for the employees and clients served by Merrick , Inc . The nonprofit has been empowering adults with disabilities by providing them with life enrichment activities and meaningful work options for 60 years now .
Established in 1964 with the support of the Christ Child Society , the nonprofit opened for services in the Merrick Community Center on the east side of St . Paul . In the early days , the organization provided recreation activities for 15 young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities ( I / DD ) who lived at home and could not secure adequate services on their own .
This year , the nonprofit expects to serve nearly 500 people : 360 individuals through its employment services program , and another 140 through its life enrichment program . That ’ s a 100-person increase over the number of people served the previous year . Executive Director John Wayne Barker
26 Northeast Metro Business says there are three primary reasons for the significant growth . “ We have an excellent reputation , other providers are downsizing their programs , and we chose to increase our capacity to meet our mission and serve those on our waiting list ,” he said .
Employment services are provided at Merrick ’ s 3210 Labore Road location . Local companies such as Par Aide , Design House Greetings , Park Tool , Ferlic Filter , and H . B . Fuller outsource jobs that the onsite client workforce assemble . The building is also a hub for clients on work crews that go to a business partner ’ s location to complete assigned tasks and some of these include Kowalski ’ s , Cub Foods , Warners ’ Stellian Appliance , and Hennepin Healthcare ( HCMC ). Finally , a team that supports about 55 clients hired by the private sector is housed at this location and “ Provides ongoing support to make sure that both parties ’ expectations are being met ,” said Karen Herrera , Development and Communications Director , Merrick , Inc .
In late 2022 , Merrick , Inc ., opened a second location at 1239 Willow Lake Boulevard , and moved its life enrichment program there . Phases 1 and 2 of the renovations needed to better serve clients were completed in 2023 .
“ Some of the changes we made include configuring the space to be more accessible for our clients . We have also developed special studios for different therapeutic activities , such as pottery , painting , crafts , music and sewing . Clients can choose from a wide variety of activities how they want to spend their day and new skills they want to develop ,” said Barker .
In 2024 , the third phase of renovations
Andrew , a client at Merrick , Inc . keeps the Vadnais Heights Kwik Trip clean and safe . Photo credit : Merrick , Inc .
Beth assembles products at Merrick ’ s Employment Services program site in Vadnais Heights . Photo credit : Merrick , Inc .
Merrick ’ s Horticulture Therapist , Valerie assists Christina at the community garden . Photo credit : Merrick , Inc .