Grants Awarded To WACOSA, ConnectAbility of MN

(KNSI) – Two organizations helping people with disabilities have been awarded a grant from the Central Minnesota Community Foundation’s Central Minnesota Special Needs fund. WACOSA in Waite Park was given $11,000 for its Giving Our Clients A “LIFT” program. WACOSA officials say the money will go towards the First Avenue Program, which serves people with higher physical care needs.

WACOSA Vice President of Quality Assurance and Programs Nancy Betts says with that high level of care comes the need for special equipment like lifts to help people with their daily needs.

“that equipment needs to be replaced on a regular basis for safety reasons as well as all of the harnesses and slings that you’re moving people around with. They wear out, and so this grant helps us maintain that high level of safety and care for those folks.

Some of the different types of lifts the program uses include a restroom lift, lifts built into the ceiling and walls, portable lifts, standing lifts, full-body lifts, and other varieties because of the type of need in the First Avenue Program.

Betts says the grant will also support getting clients of the First Avenue Program more physical therapy evaluations.

“Everybody in that program also could benefit and have a better quality of life if they have access to physical therapy. So, part of this grant is to help us fund those consultations and then help implement what strategies are best for each individual that we serve there.”

The Central Minnesota Special Needs fund also awarded $9,000 to ConnectAbility of MN-based in St. Cloud for their 2022 Equipment Connection and Donated Equipment Programs. The program takes donated equipment that has been outgrown or is no longer needed by the family and donates those items back to other families that need them at no cost and with no paperwork.

Last year, The Central Minnesota Special Needs grant round was also able to grant a total of $20,000. The Central Minnesota Special Needs grants fund programs that help people with complex intellectual and physical challenges.

The next Central Minnesota Special Needs grant round will open in September 2022.

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