OTHER LOCATIONS
Transportation Office 1997 Sloan Place , Suite 20 Maplewood , MN 55117 Phone : 651-209-3474 Email : transportation @ tse-inc . org
Work Ahead Community Resource Center 1919 University Avenue W ., Suite 116 St . Paul , MN 55104 Phone : 651-379-5290 Hours : Monday – Friday , 7:30 a . m . – 3:30 p . m .
Lakeridge Community Resource Center 103 Vadnais Blvd . Vadnais Heights , MN 55127 Phone : 651-484-6230
Hours : Monday – Friday , 7:30 a . m . – 3:30 p . m .
McCarrons Community Resource Center 207 Rice Street Roseville , MN 55113 Phone : 651-489-2595 Hours : Monday – Friday , 7:30 a . m . – 3:30 p . m .
Roselawn Community Resource Center 1997 Sloan Place , Suite 20 Maplewood , MN 55117 Phone : 651-793-0373 Hours : Monday – Friday , 7:30 a . m . – 3:30 p . m .
Phoenix Alternatives , Inc . ( PAI , Inc .)
PAI has been serving adults with intellectual disabilities since 1990 . The organization offers day supports , which include life enrichment and personal development services provided through formal and informal education with plans updated for the individual every year .
“ We work with the person ’ s representative or guardian , which is very often a family member , to figure out what ’ s the next thing that would make this person ’ s life bigger , better or happier , more independent , whatever their goals may be ,” said Mike Miner , who has served as PAI ’ s Executive Director for seven years , and was previously on the organization ’ s Board .
Miner is proud to share that the organization has the ability to meet individuals where they are at , and provide the support needed at its four locations : three in White Bear Lake and one in Oakdale .
PAI also provides employment services for its clients , both onsite and in the community . Onsite , PAI clients package up greeting cards and other products . They also go out into the community and either work as a group or individually at an employer ’ s location . Among the companies PAI has partnered with over the years , Park Tool , Dynamic Air , White Bear Lake Area Schools , Wilbert Plastics Services and Marshalls .
“ We pay everyone minimum wage or higher . We ’ re able to do that thanks to the support of our business partners stepping up to support us and the people who do the actual work ,” said Miner .
The organization had a number of highlights in 2023 . A generous grant from the St . Paul and Minnesota Foundation has paid for a remodel of the White Bear Parkway Location . The flooring , paint and restrooms are being refreshed , and the lighting is being switched from fluorescents to LEDs .
“ We serve a lot of people on the autism spectrum at that location , and are doing the makeover from a sensory perspective . We ’ re putting in lights that won ’ t flicker . The texture and lack of glare on the floor will be easier to navigate for a lot of people ,” said Miner .
Also in 2023 , PAI relaunched the CARR , its mobile Cares and Respite Room . The bus has a changing table and lift that can go out in the community , allowing people to receive nutrition support and medicine , and be changed in private while participating in offsite activities .
PAI also participated in the Vadnais Heights Heritage Days Parade and Made in the Shade multi-agency fundraiser . “ It was a more active and more external year , which felt so , so good ,” said Miner .
Coming up in 2024 , the organization will be expanding community-based employment opportunities for clients and seeks partnerships with local businesses . In addition , PAI will be hiring more staff , providing an attractive starting wage to $ 18.50 per hour ; and
rolling out a new service : Individualized Home Support and Respite . This is a service that allows a support person to provide services in a person ’ s home and throughout the community .
“ It ’ s a nice complementary service to what we have been doing ,” said Miner , who added that in 2024 , the organization will also be expanding its Board , and is looking for a wide range of professional and personal experience . Reach out to Mike Miner at mminer @ paimn . org if you are interested in applying .
Learn more about PAI at PAIMN . org
30 Northeast Metro Business