Four people and one company are winners of this year’s Reach for Resources awards. The awards were announced this spring, after a nomination and review process that began in January. 

The award winners were announced on social media and on the nonprofit’s website. 

Mike and Patty Molden were honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award. They have been volunteering with Reach for Resources’ non-competitive basketball league for many years, and they are considered by many to be the heart of the adapted recreation program. They are active participants, encouraging athletes and making the games fun. The Moldens were thanked for their hard work and dedication. 

Basketball is one of several adaptive sports and fitness programs offered at Reach. 

Plow World Power Equipment and Chris Daniels are winners of the Corporate Partner of the Year Award. In 2021, Plow World Power Equipment and Chris Daniels supported Reach in many different ways including being the major sponsor for the Radiothon and Cackle & Spur Charity Pheasant Hunt. 

Plow World also donated an ATV to be raffled off at the Reach on Tap fundraising event. In addition to the corporate support, Daniels made a significant personal financial donation and donated quite a significant sum of his own personal money to support Reach. 

Plow World Power Equipment has already pledged to increase its support of Reach in 2022. The company is located in East Bethel. 

Larissa Beck was feted as the Advocate of the Year Award winner. Beck has worked hard to advocate for rate changes for DD SILS or semi-independent living services for people with developmental disabilities. She has initiated a conversation among other service providers and leaders in the disability field. Her efforts have been successful in spreading awareness and efforts to make changes. 

Jessica Preiner (Cermak) is the Matthew Smith Memorial Award honoree. She has worked for Reach for more than 13 years. She began working in the community living department and then moved to mental health services. During her time with mental health services, she has managed and directed that area, has added additional counties to our ARMHS (adult rehabilitative mental health services) supports, has been a lead for Procentive services and has now been promoted to managing director. Reach is lucky to have her working in the mental health area. 

We provide individualized services that maximize independence, boosts community engagement and improves physical and emotional well-being. 

Reach for Resources is located in Minnetonka. It began more than 40 years ago as a neighborhood support center, operating through Arc Greater Twin Cities. The organization in 1986 became West Hennepin Community Services. The name was changed to Reach for Resources, Inc. in 2002. 

The nonprofit has several departments providing skills training and services in the areas of independent living, adaptive recreation and inclusion. employment case management. Clients live with various disabilities including developmental disabilities, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy, multiple learning disabilities, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain injury and emotional behavioral disorders.