The Latest at Lifeworks – October 2024

Lifeworks Community, This month, Minnesota launched a new self-directed service: Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). CFSS is not just a new name – it is a new approach for […]

Create an Accessible Workplace: The First Step to Disability Inclusion

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! Each October, we recognize and celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of equity and inclusion in the workplace. […]

2024 Elections: Resources for an Accessible Voting Experience

The 2024 General Election is coming up on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. High voter participation in elections is as Minnesotan as hotdish, with nearly 80% of our state’s voting-eligible population […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – September 2024

Lifeworks Community, September 8-14 marked the annual Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. This nationwide observance is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the dedicated direct support professionals who partner with […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – August 2024

Lifeworks Community, I am thrilled to share an exciting update from our North Region: Lifeworks signed a lease for our new Hub in New Hope this month!  This space will […]

A Place of Her Own: Alicia’s Story

A roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive north from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities along Interstate 35 brings you to the city of Duluth. The city is synonymous with summer […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – July 2024

Lifeworks Community, In my work, I am fortunate to meet with many of you – community members, business leaders, and elected officials. In each conversation, I ask about your personal […]

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: 5 Ways To Challenge Ableism and Become an Ally

July is Disability Pride Month! Disability pride means celebrating disability as a natural part of human diversity and to embrace disability as an identity that influences how people experience the […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – June 2024

Lifeworks Community, This summer, we are excited to begin a series of Community Conversations across the state, starting in Brooklyn Park. The City of Brooklyn Park recognizes the importance of […]

A Conversation on Avoiding Ableism and Becoming Allies

“Undoing and unlearning ableism is hard work,” says Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson in front of a sold-out crowd at the Lifeworks Disability Inclusion Breakfast. Brittanie was one of three panelists of disability […]

How Shinoa Became an Advocate

Through her partnership with Lifeworks, Shinoa learned to advocate for herself and others in the disability community. Meet Shinoa Shinoa is a musician, poet, artist, and self-advocate who lives in […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – May 2024

Lifeworks Community, Last month, we hosted our Annual Celebration at The Depot in Minneapolis. It was a beautiful evening filled with energy and excitement. Together, we raised over $438,000 in […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – March 2024

Lifeworks Community, As I shared in my January update, Lifeworks is continuing to educate our communities on disability inclusion trainings. We believe wholeheartedly in this work because we have seen […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – February 2024

Lifeworks Community, I want to personally invite you all to join us at the 2024 Lifeworks Annual Celebration on Thursday, April 18. We are coming together once again at The […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – January 2024

Lifeworks Community, Happy New Year from all of us at Lifeworks! A new year brings such excitement for all the opportunities that lie ahead. At Lifeworks, we are building upon […]

A Fresh Start: Addyson’s Story

Trigger warning: This story contains content about suicide.     After years of challenges to her mental health and experiencing trauma, Addyson now has a new lease on life. The […]

Empowering Workplaces through Disability Inclusion Training: The Lifeworks and Uponor Partnership

Uponor, a long-time partner of Lifeworks, is bringing the disability inclusion conversation directly to their employees. Background A 2023 survey found that most workers think focusing on diversity, equity, and […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – December 2023

Lifeworks Community, As we close out 2023, thank you all for being a part of the Lifeworks community. Our partners – including clients, families, board members, employer partners, donors, and […]

Navigating New Challenges: Siri and Jaette’s Story

Siri has been a client of Lifeworks for over 15 years. Her mother, Jaette, first connected with Lifeworks when Siri graduated high school, hoping to find a space that offered […]

Lifeworks Winter Concerts

It’s getting cold out – come warm up with us at the Lifeworks winter concerts! On Wednesday, December 13, come enjoy performances from clients in our day program at our […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – November 2023

Lifeworks Community, Throughout the year, I have shared about the importance of disability inclusion for our communities and the people with disabilities we partner with. This topic has been so […]

The Latest at Lifeworks – October 2023

Lifeworks Community, Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Each October, we honor and celebrate the contributions of our nation’s workers with disabilities and the inclusive employment practices that benefit employers […]

Lessons in Navigating Non-Traditional Employment: Jessica’s Story

Finding the perfect job can be challenging. When Jessica started partnering with Lifeworks to explore career opportunities, she wasn’t sure how to navigate her options and identify meaningful work. After […]

A Piece of Magic: The Lifeworks Sensory Garden

The sensory garden at our Apple Valley center is a space for Lifeworks clients and staff to relax, connect, and interact with the five senses. When the center opened in […]

Listen. Educate. Navigate.™: Advancing Disability Inclusion

For far too long, culturally diverse communities have not had the same access to disability services as communities from the dominant culture. Lifeworks is working to correct this gap by […]

Music Therapy: Innovative Techniques for Achieving Person-Centered Results

An interview Lifeworks’ Neurologic Music Therapist, Laura Steines. What is Music Therapy? Music Therapy is proven and cutting-edge method for helping people further develop their sensory, social, emotional, cognitive abilities, […]