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Dear Friends,

As I began my term as President of the Hiawatha Homes Inc. Board, I sat at the Boardroom table and marveled at the backgrounds and relationships that bring these 16 people together. Decisions are made and actions are carried out for the betterment of over 130 individuals to whom Hiawatha Homes provides support. There sat a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, and many friends of residents, as well as people from all walks of life – doctors, lawyers, former State Representative, investor, teacher, retirees – all coming together for one purpose – to maintain the dignity of human life and support life systems.

My personal involvement began more than 40 years ago as a Youth Arc volunteer, assisting children with developmental disabilities. Years later I became a teacher and tutor while employed at the Olmsted Day Activities Center. Today some of my students are now 40 and 50 years old living in Hiawatha homes. It is because of them I began as a volunteer for the Festival of Trees.

The everyday operations of Hiawatha are a well established, stable, and solid machine, but it is the humaneness and day to day interactions that make Hiawatha a place of caring. Not only are there 95 valued people we support, ages 18 to 78 years, living in 22 homes, but also a committed staff of over 350 hardworking employees providing quality care for individuals in our residential, respite, and Family Support Services programs.

Weathering the challenges of the current economy is only one of the hurdles we face. Our expanding respite, LEEP, and SKIP programs reach out to a community in need as we strive to maintain and expand services with less state and federal funding. Our commitment as a Board is to care, make prudent decisions, and provide for these individuals as we would our own immediate family.

2010 is the 36th anniversary of Hiawatha Homes, Inc. It is also the 25th anniversary of the immensely successful Festival of Trees, which is held during Thanksgiving week. “Thank You” to all who have volunteered and been a part of Hiawatha Homes’ success thus far. We, as a Board, have a great deal to give and learn from each other and are energized in overseeing the future of Hiawatha homes and programs. We openly give of ourselves and invite YOU to offer your time, talents, and treasures. Come join us at Hiawatha Homes’ sponsored activities – especially at the Festival of Trees. “Catch the spirit” of our Hiawatha Homes family/village unit as we raise up those with unique needs.

With warmest regards,

Linda J. Becker, President
Hiawatha Homes, Inc. Board of Directors