Kayla, a class of 2020 graduate and current Courtesy Clerk at Lunds and Byerlys, came to the rescue during a shift this summer.

While she was carrying out groceries for an elderly customer, the customer became ill and collapsed to the ground. Kayla immediately sat down near the customer, held her hand, and called for help. She encouraged the customer to stay on the ground, stay awake, but not to move. Kayla stayed with the customer and held her hand until the ambulance arrived.
 
Following the incident, Kayla burst into tears overwhelmed by the experience. Her manager comforted her and together they picked out flowers and a card and stored the customer’s groceries until she’d return home from the hospital.
 
 Kayla, we celebrate your dedication, customer service, and work ethic!

​Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.

​Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.

​Jon, a Community Program participant, first began working at Dairy Queen in the Spring of 2017 when he graduated from the College Program. Since then, he has blossomed in his role at the front register.
 
Jon’s supervisor, Toni, is grateful to have Jon as an employee. She described Jon in one word, “gracious”. Jon is not one to highlight his successes, but for his supervisor, praise comes easily. Toni shared, “When Jon asks, ‘How can I help you?’ he really means what he says. Jon's careful attention to customers' needs have made him a familiar and trusted face at Dairy Queen.”
 
Jon’s Job Developer, Jeff, has experienced more than one customer sharing their gratitude for Jon's stellar customer service in his four-year stint there, including the Dairy Queen’s CEO!
 
Over the past year, Jon has had to adjust to less customer contact than he'd like, but this has given Jon the opportunity to learn "back of the house" skills such as food preparation and cooking. Jon is on the path to a promotion as “Fan Captain,” a Dairy Queen ambassador role.
 
Jon shared the customers and his coworkers' support are the main reasons that keep him coming back. Jon also made it clear he is very thankful to Toni for giving him his first job and he is excited to learn about both the "grill" and "chill" tasks.

Since the Spring of 2017, Dairy Queen has hired four MICC participants and has been a model employer for the Careers Program.

​Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.

​Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.

​Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.

​We are celebrating our April Participant of the Month, Maggie!

​Participant of the Month is awarded by nominations from both peers and staff for individuals who have clearly demonstrated one or more of our three R’s: responsibility, resilience, and respect. Here are some of what people had to say about Maggie’s RESPONSIBILITY:

A staff member shared, “Maggie has hosted and organized an unbelievably successful birthday bash for the past two months. Her creativity has increased our engagement levels for the birthday bash!"

When asked why she has been recognized as Participant of the Month, Maggie shared, “I think I was recognized because of my involvement in the birthday bashes." 
 
Maggie graduated from MICC's College Program in 2017 and is an active participant in MICC's Community Program. She is involved in Retro Crafting, MICC's Next Top Chef, and Journaling electives. She also leads a biweekly Sensory Club on Saturdays, and shared, "I love learning new stress relief techniques and sharing them with others."

Congratulations, Maggie!

​Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.

We are celebrating our February Participant of the Month, Cole!

​Participant of the Month is awarded by nominations from both peers and staff for individuals who have clearly demonstrated one or more of our three R’s: responsibility, resilience, and respect. Here are some of what people had to say about Cole’s RESPECT:

A peer wrote, “He always cares and asks how everyone is. He is very kind-hearted.”

Additionally, a staff member shared, “Cole demonstrates respect daily. He always asks his peers and staff how they are doing (and asks follow-up questions)! He is a great participant in class and respects the opinions of his peers.”

When asked why he has been recognized as Participant of the Month, Cole shared, “I think I was recognized as participant of the month because I am respectful and I like to ask people about their day and help others.”
 
Cole’s favorite thing about MICC are “the socials. Especially going to the zoo.” Two fun facts about him are that he likes holding doors for other people and he likes anime.

Congratulations, Cole!