Richfield, Minnesota - Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC) has been named Nonprofit of the Year by the Richfield Chamber of Commerce at the annual Circle of Excellence awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The award recognizes MICC's outstanding contributions to the Richfield community through its life skills and vocational programs for autistic and neurodivergent adults.
 
The event was sponsored by Friendship Village of Bloomington, Northwoods Promotions West, Aviator Studios, and Blue Hippo Bakery. In attendance from MICC included Amy Gudmestad, Executive Director, Anna Hilfers, Director of College Program, Aaron Carper, Director of Community Program, Anna Schenck, Careers Program Job Developer,  Amanda DeJong, Marketing Manager, and Grant S., MICC Student Ambassador.
 
The award ceremony began with an introduction by Kelsey Nagel, President of the Richfield Chamber, and the previous year's winner presented each award to this year’s recipients. The winners for each category were as follows:

MICC Careers Program partners will employers in the Minneapolis area to promote neurodiversity in the workplace and ensure participants and graduates find meaningful employment. One of MICC's employment partners is Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington. 

Von is the Director of Retail, Attractions, and Kids Experience at Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington. Since Von was received with open arms to his position and welcomed to the "pack," he noticed how much the workplace culture was very family-oriented and inclusive on all fronts.

Experiencing his warm welcome first-hand, Von felt that as the department director, it was important to ensure this culture was carried on as a priority and he continues to nurture it on his team. Great Wolf Lodge has various internal programs for its employees to maintain a positive work environment and support their workplace culture. "As a lodge, we are all one Pack, and everything we do, we strive to do as a team." 

Von became familiar with MICC through some of the pack members, and when he learned more about MICC's mission and programming, he knew that this was a partnership that could enhance lives.

Presently, Von, Great Wolf Lodge, and MICC have a partnership that is very impactful! One of Von's best parts of his job is watching new pack members grow and develop in their roles at the lodge. Pack Member, Ava, comes to mind as Von has seen Ava extend in her job role not only in her abilities but in her comfort and confidence.

Von hope is that participant's who work at the lodge will gain a sense of accomplishment. He shared, "We want all our pack members to learn how fulfilling it can be to bring joy to families and by doing so, how this can also teach us to be leaders among our peers. I can't wait to meet the next young person who is passionate about bringing joy to families and becomes a part of our lodge!"

MICC was thrilled to celebrate this partnership at the annual Champion's Breakfast in October and are so grateful to have Great Wolf Lodge as a part of the employer team.

Join us as we work together to promote neurodiversity in the workplace and help autistic people succeed! Connect with us to schedule a training or to learn more about partnering with MICC's Careers Program as an employment partner.