Established disability service provider makes Minnetonka move

Helping individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to become productive members of society, Chrestomathy, Inc. has opened a new day service facility in Minnetonka to replace its longtime Minneapolis location, where the nonprofit began to serve Hennepin County residents in 1985.

The nonprofit provides an essential stabilizing service and a safety net for individuals with complex needs and various levels of intellectual disabilities. Chrestomathy works with persons with challenging behaviors while looking for good fits with its current group of program participants, said Executive Director Linda Moore.

“We’re bringing back as many of our pre-COVID participants as we can and also dedicating a few openings to others, notably those who are isolated at home with their parents and/or close matches with existing participants,” she explains.

Still working through COVID disruptions

“The last two years have been difficult for everyone in society, but particularly difficult for people with intellectual disabilities and comorbid conditions,” said Moore. “They can’t see the big picture. Their lives were disrupted, their relationships disrupted, and their health was disrupted.”

Nestled in the heart of the long-established, and now being redeveloped, Opus Business Park, the new Chrestomathy site had been a call center with cubicles spreading out to separate rooms on the perimeter, along with a lunchroom and kitchen, and large windows. It currently serves 22 individuals with disabilities and is licensed by the state to work with up to 50.

Improved amenities, environment, different system

“There are beautiful views, the Minnetonka trail system, restaurants and coffee shops, and a few of our clients work nearby at one of the high rises for UnitedHealthcare,” said Moore. Rather than a large room environment, Chrestomathy in Minnetonka uses a pod system with cohorts or smaller groups of people engaging in programming.

Individuals with disabilities each have an office cubicle to decorate with personal items and store their things. Program Director Nathan Fryett, who manages the site, said the cubicles have a stabilizing effect on many of the participants, much like having one’s own desk.

From cooking, to karaoke, community outings and small in-house jobs, to supports for people with disabilities employed in the community, Chrestomathy in Minnetonka is a busy place where individuals come to live out their daily lives and make progress on their goals, leaders explain. The age range is vast, from 22 to the late 60s, with some tracing their involvement back to the nonprofit’s beginning. Moore said staff have been the strong fabric that’s held the nonprofit together throughout the pandemic.

Quality, dedicated staff kept things going, more needed

Demand for such services is high, and Moore said a great challenge is finding additional quality staff to assist these individuals and this is holding back the resumption of services. Some participants have been isolated at home for nearly two years and have lost ground both physically and socially.

She compares the situation to the 1980s when people with disabilities were coming out of the state institutions and day service programs were hitting their stride. Institutions were far from ideal, but they did have socialization, people had friends and things to do, said Moore. Today’s isolation brought on by society’s reaction to COVID-19 makes life even more difficult now for many with disabilities, she explains.

Moore is a psychologist and integrates psychological principles into Chrestomathy’s programs. Monthly character qualities are taught, such as gratitude. Those who ask her how things are going will often get a synopsis of an individual participant’s unique situation, and how Chrestomathy is responding to make the person’s life better.

Stimulating the brain, positive behaviors

“We bring all of these proven, evidence-based practices into our programs,” said Moore. The PERMA-V positive model of positive psychology is one that’s used. The executive director said it’s a way of making sure people have a social role and positive experiences. For some, it’s starting the day with something challenging to stimulate brain function. The V stands for vitality and activity is abundant.

A quiet reading area with seating borders a larger room of unused cubicles, space for more people to be served as the program expands. And, a smaller space with high ceilings and a concrete floor serves as a miniature gym for more physical activity. It’s a place for dancing, and Fryett said a snowball battle even broke out on one day. Plants and gardening plans are also in the works.

Valuing inside work as therapy, supporting others in community jobs

Some clients at Chrestomathy do a limited amount of work for special minimum or commensurate wage, which is used therapeutically. One woman in the program uses the money she earns to feed a pet bunny. The satisfaction that comes in being able to purchase items, sometimes for others, is a big part of being able to live a normal life, Moore explains.

Staff are sensitive and in tune with what’s happening with each person’s family or group home and adjust as needed to help people get through difficult times. For those who are capable of working, sometimes a nudge, some encouragement and a small opportunity can be the catalyst to finding a job in the community, explains Chrestomathy Vocational Coordinator Kara Townsend. Job coaches provide support to these workers to ensure success.

With the new location in Minnetonka East Business Center II, 10749 Bren Road East, and a lot happening, Chrestomathy hopes to attract new employees to the direct support field, even people without related experience.

The name is derived from Greek language and means “useful learning.” With its headquarters in Eden Prairie and an additional site in Burnsville, Chrestomathy utilizes behavioral expertise and professional relationships in a therapeutic work setting. It was started by Moore in 1985. More information is available at chrestomathyinc.org