Minnesota Independence College and Community: Learn Skills. Experience Life.
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Employment
  • Programs
    • MICC Summer
    • MICC College
    • MICC Careers
    • MICC Community
  • Admissions
    • Admissions Process
    • Program Cost
    • Request for Information
  • Spirit Shop
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Events >
      • Independence 5K
      • 2023 Gala
    • Volunteer
  • Connect
    • Bulldog Blog
    • Participant & Family Portals >
      • CaseWorthy Portal
      • Social Portal

Participant Feature: How to Enjoy Your Summer When the World Is Doomed

7/19/2023

0 Comments

 
Hello, everyone! Long time no read, and happy summer!

This time of the year is always an exciting one for Minnesotans; whether you enjoy your time in the pool, the grassy fields, the backdoor forests, or 5-hour traffic jams, there’s always a little something that any person can gravitate their interest and dopamine towards. However, if you’ve ever had to look at the sky this summer (and I’m sure you have, because your brain requires a double-take on the gas prices), you’ll notice a rather weird, yet ominous presence that looms in the air. You’ve been reading all the warning signs, and the fruit is being barred over the sky’s garden - it’s the end of the world…

...in about 10 billion years.

I guess whoever was assigned chef of the planet forgot to upgrade their oven. That doesn’t mean things aren’t happening– After all, a smoking oven is only a convenience away from becoming a smoking gun. It’s clear that we’re starting to see what our climate’s health really is, and these dangerous skies are just another consequence of our failure to deliver our planet to our local E.R.


This all to say, you might not even need a roasting planet to feel hopeless. Maybe you’re just having a bad summer, with nothing lining up properly. Whether at the end of the spectrum you’re in, I hope to share some insight that can lead you to a brighter tomorrow.

When you look at the bright red sky, and the images of guilt and grief flow like the troubled thoughts they are, the biggest step to cleansing those thoughts is to know that, what you’re doing currently, is going to one day make the sky clear once more. It can be something as simple as running through your neighborhood; to something more active like donating or volunteering to trustworthy charities; or even something difficult like running for office and enabling policy that protects our planet. As long as you’re not harming yourself or others, whatever you end up doing will save the world.

When you reach adulthood and are able to make choices for yourself, you’re given a greenhouse to nurture. You don’t know where it is, but you keep it happy and healthy by bringing that same nourishment back to yourself. Not every greenhouse feeds off the same things to grow, but you learn what that is by continuing to live life to its fullest. I mean, look at me! I’m some random chump that’s writing brief little pieces for you to read, but in doing so, I’m growing my personal greenhouse by providing weird little stunts of wisdom and humor to brighten your day. It doesn’t matter how convoluted you make a greenhouse be, because at the end of the day, it’s still a greenhouse.

While it may take years or even eons for my greenhouse to finish its construction, what you’re reading now is the foundation of it. I don’t know what it’ll look like when finished, but I’m enjoying every moment of it because it’s something that I love doing, while feeling like it’s helping others in a small way.

This is not meant to pressure you into doing things. Downtime and resting are completely normal ways to grow a greenhouse. What’s important is that you recognize what your greenhouse needs, and how you’ll grow it. For me, it’s words. For you? I can’t read your mind, but I’d imagine it has something to do with having an enjoyable summer. Good thing your greenhouse is fueled by joy and euphoria, right?

Oh, would you look at the time! I must go and nurture my greenhouse through Cherry Pepsi; too many words can make the poor thing thirsty. I’ll leave your greenhouse to yourself, do as you wish with it.

Have a good remainder of the summer!

Picture

Madeline M.

Madeline will be a senior in MICC's College Program, working towards her Hospitality certificate. Her creativity is as broad and crazy as her curls - creating entertaining stories and unique perspectives which become instantly memorable and cherished. Despite her wits and ways of forming words, she is constantly challenging herself by developing new skills and leaving a third eye open to anything that's piqued her curiosity. Whether you find her writing, drawing, music making, golfing, sailing, gaming, programming, or drinking too much Cherry Pepsi, you'll discover a character that you won't find anywhere else!


MICC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for autistic and neurodivergent young adults. Since its founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to supporting participants in successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC participants achieve sustained, independent living; rewarding employment; financial security; personal growth; and responsible citizenship. We champion all participants, carry their successes into the world, and collaborate with others in service of our vision.
0 Comments

Careers Spotlight: Grant

7/13/2023

0 Comments

 
Grant, a recent graduate of MICC's College Program and current Community Program participant, has been working as a Farm Operations Support Member at the University of Minnesota since 2019. His main task is mowing the grass roads between the experimental fields. He also helps with small projects around the fields and weed-whips the fence posts. Grant’s Job Developer spent a morning on the field with him and was able to learn more about the ins and outs of his workday at the University of Minnesota. 
 
3 interesting facts you’ve learned since I have been working at the University of Minnesota?
  1. I have learned how to change a tire.  
  2. I learned that the weather station that is used out in the fields and a good amount of the devices that we use have been built by the weather station crew and that data is being uploaded every minute, 24/7.  
  3. I have learned that we use some crops (soybeans and corn) as cover crops. Planting cover crops around the borders of other crops helps protect the specific area of the plots from inclement weather. ​
Picture
Grant at work at U of MN
Picture
Grant and Anna, MICC Job Developer
Picture
Grant at work at U of MN
​What has kept you passionate about your job over the past 4 years?
Even though I mostly mow the grass. Knowing that I work on a research farm that connects with other farms all over the state and country makes me proud of what I do, even if it’s a small part.  

What is an obstacle/challenge for you? 
An obstacle/challenge for me is actually not waking up at 5:00 AM for work. That I have, unfortunately, mastered. It’s having to be at work earlier than usual during the State Fair. From 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM there is a constant flow of cars sitting outside of the St. Paul campus trying to get a parking spot for the State Fair parking lots. It would usually take me 30 minutes to get to work. During the fair, it can take me roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes if I didn’t get in early. However, despite having to get in to work earlier than usual, it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the opportunity I have. I also have permission to go back to sleep when I get to work, as long as I start to work with the rest of my co-workers at 7:00 AM.

Have there been any special projects that you have been a part of since you’ve been working at the U of Minnesota? 
There have been a ton of special projects I have been a part of! One of my favorites is a 2-day event called Field School. It’s part of the University of Minnesota Extension Program. The information from the fields we have learned gets passed to the Minnesota counties’ representatives, companies, and other research plots from around Minnesota. Unfortunately, I do more of the behind-the-scenes work, but thankfully, I still get the lunches that are catered for the event.
0 Comments

    Archives

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    June 2019

    Categories

    All
    ASD
    Autism
    Best Practice
    Board Of Directors
    Careers
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    Els For Autism
    Gala
    Great Wolf Lodge
    Independence
    Mentone Mentour
    NDEAM
    Neurodiversity
    Nonprofit Of The Year
    Participant Feature
    Participant Of The Month
    Participant Of The Year
    Partnership
    PBIS
    Richfield Chamber Of Commerce
    Social Engagement Program
    Social Skills
    Starbucks
    Temple Grandin
    Walgreens
    World Market

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
7501 LOGAN AVE S.  STE 2A   RICHFIELD, MN 55423 
PHONE (612) 869-4008 | FAX (612) 869-0443 | EIN 41-1814112

Effective, August 1, 2018, Minnesota Life College changed its name to MICC., pronounced ‘em’ ‘eye’ ‘see’ ‘see’.
​MICC stands for Minnesota Independence College and Community.


At MICC, the values of diversity, equity and inclusion are essential elements of our vibrant learning community. It is vital that everyone receives the tools to succeed and thrive regardless of neurodiversity, race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status or any other identity. We are committed to embracing diverse perspectives and creating a supportive environment for all to discuss, challenge, and explore how we can continuously enrich the MICC community.