For Charles “Chuck” of New Ulm, Minnesota, finding meaningful employment was a journey filled with challenges, perseverance, and determination. Today, Chuck is thriving in his role as a Sales Representative at Verizon in Mankato, where he has become a valued member of the team. Chuck began working at Verizon in May 2026. His responsibilities include customer service, technical support, and helping customers find the right phone services, home internet plans, and cellular devi

The First Annual MRCI Belonging Everywhere Awards Luncheon was a great success! We had an incredible time celebrating the individuals, staff, and community partners who help make belonging possible across Minnesota. During the event, we presented seven awards recognizing outstanding individuals, staff, and community partners for their achievements, dedication, and positive impact in their communities and workplaces. A special thank you to Presenting Sponsor LMH for their gene

MRCI was proud to recognize Joey as the recipient of the Living with Purpose Award at its first annual Belonging Everywhere Awards Luncheon on October 2, 2026. The Living with Purpose Award honors an individual supported by MRCI who demonstrates independence, personal choice, and self-direction while living a life filled with meaningful relationships and experiences. For Joey and his family, living with purpose means something especially meaningful: bringing joy to the lives

Finding meaningful employment can take persistence, preparation, and the right support. For Darryl, that journey led him to River Valley Motion Control, where he has worked as a Motor Assembly Production Worker since May 11, 2026. Darryl began working with MRCI employment staff in May 2024 to search for job opportunities and build his resume. During the job search process, he participated in two job tryouts, gaining valuable experience and exploring different employment oppor

Building confidence and independence has been an important part of Austin's employment journey. For the past two months, he has worked as a Retail Service Team Member at Michaels, where he enjoys helping customers and keeping the store organized. "I help customers if they need help finding something," Austin shared. "I put things in the correct place, like the stickers." His willingness to learn and contribute has helped him quickly become a valued member of the team. Through

MRCI is proud to announce that we have been awarded the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered through Candid's GuideStar nonprofit reporting platform. This distinction demonstrates our commitment to openness, accountability, and measurable impact for the individuals, families, donors, employers, and communities we serve. The Platinum Seal is awarded to nonprofits that go beyond basic reporting by sharing detailed information about their

MRCI has been recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of the Largest Nonprofits in the Twin Cities, ranking #8 on the publication's 2026 list. This recognition reflects the collective impact of the people we serve, our dedicated employees, community partners, donors, and supporters who make our mission possible every day. For more than 70 years, MRCI has worked alongside individuals with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment and independ

On July 26, we celebrate something truly meaningful: the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA marked a historic milestone for civil rights in the United States, helping expand access to employment, education, transportation, public spaces, and community life for millions of people with disabilities. As we recognize this important anniversary, we celebrate the progress that's been made while continuing to look ahea

Jeff Gregus has built a successful career at Hy-Vee in Shakopee, where he has been a valued team member for the past nine years. He began his journey as a produce clerk before transitioning to a courtesy clerk role, and more recently, he has expanded his skills through cashier training. Today, Jeff works in a hybrid courtesy and cashier position, where he enjoys helping customers and continuing to learn new aspects of the business. His commitment to growth and willingness to

Julie Lux, Chief of Client Directed Services at MRCI, recently joined a national panel at the 2026 National Self Direction Conference in Minneapolis, sharing how Minnesota providers are leading efforts to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in self-directed services. Lux was joined by fellow panelists from Mains’l and Consumer Directions (CDI), both Financial Management Services FMS providers. Together, the panel highlighted practical safeguards, monitoring practices, and colla

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the critical role mental health plays in our daily lives, including at work. Employment can provide structure, purpose, and connection, all of which are important for overall well-being. At the same time, work can introduce stress, pressure, and change that may impact mental health in meaningful ways. At MRCI, IPS (Individual Placement and Support) staff work alongside individuals every day as they navigate these reali

On April 30, 2024, John proudly began his employment journey as a Retail Helper at Kwik Trip in Chaska. Since joining the team, he has become a reliable and positive presence in the store. In his role, John assists customers with a friendly and helpful attitude, completes his daily assigned tasks, stocks and organizes merchandise, and jumps in wherever his coworkers need support. His willingness to help and desire to learn make him a valued member of the Kwik Trip team. To su

Jackie’s journey with MRCI began in June of 2018, when she first joined the Bridge to the Future program. At that time, she was a student still discovering what her path might look like, eager for guidance and ready to grow. After returning to high school to continue her education, she came back to MRCI for a work evaluation, another important step in figuring out where her strengths and interests might lead her. In the fall of 2021, Jackie enrolled in the eight-week Track to

MRCI is pleased to announce the appointment of Rhiannon Johnston as its new Chief of Information Technology. Rhiannon brings more than 14 years of experience at MRCI, having served the organization in a variety of roles that span human resources, technology, and compliance. Throughout her tenure, Rhiannon has played an integral role in strengthening MRCI’s technology infrastructure and advancing systems that support staff, partners, and the individuals MRCI serves. Her deep i

As we turn the page to a new year, many of us set resolutions—eat healthier, exercise more, spend time with family. What if one of your resolutions could make a lasting impact in your community? At MRCI, we invite you to start 2026 with purpose by helping create opportunities for individuals with disabilities and those facing barriers to independence. Here are 7 meaningful ways to engage with MRCI: 1. Hire Our Clients Join over 400 businesses that have discovered the benefits

As the year comes to a close, many of us reflect on what matters most family, community, and making a difference. Year-end giving is more than a tradition; it’s an opportunity to create lasting impact. For MRCI, your generosity helps us continue our mission of supporting individuals with disabilities and those facing barriers to employment, independence, and inclusion. Why give now? Year-end gifts often provide the critical funding needed to ensure that every person we serve

In honor of the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), MRCI is proud to present its Community Impact Award to Camp Bow Wow in Burnsville, recognizing their outstanding commitment to inclusive employment and partnership with MRCI. NDEAM, celebrated each October, commemorates the vital contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes inclusive employment practices across the nation. This year’s milestone anniversary of 80 years highli

Over the summer, four metro-based MRCI community day service clients, alongside six clients from MSS (metro-based day program agency) participated in a 5-week writing workshop taught by Cow Tipping Press , a MN-based non-profit with the sole mission of publishing original written works by adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. After the workshop, selected works from each participant were published in an anthology titled “The T.V. Man is Coming”. If you would lik

For many of us, a highlight of our work week is grabbing lunch with a friend, catching up, and enjoying a good laugh. This is what sparked the idea of Lunch Bunch four years ago, and it has proven to be a huge hit with our Fairmont crew! Lunch Bunch is a lunch hosted every month for clients in Fairmont who have or are looking for employment. It is time to make connections, discuss work related topics, and touch base on employment goals. It also creates an opportunity for peop

Since February 2024, Tristen has been a dedicated employee at Anytime Fitness, excelling in his housekeeping role. His duties encompass...