News

Once again Vail Place has been recognized by the Charities Review Council for meeting its 25 Accountability Standards. The Council was founded in 1946 and works to build donor and nonprofit relationships for strong, vibrant and just communities. They collaborate with nonprofits, donors and grant-makers to...

Altruistic at Heart – Kayle finds her niche working for Vail Place Kayle Dietrich is a uniquely caring individual who has dedicated her professional life to helping others and making her community a better place. Vail Place is fortunate to employ Kayle as the Resident Opportunities...

In an effort to continue to provide our clients with services designed to help them live stable and healthy lives, Vail Place will implement a tobacco-free policy at all of our Twin Cities locations. The policy, which will go into effect on April 1, will prohibit...

"I just want to give a huge thanks. I have learned so much and have grown in my mental abilities for the better. Of course life will still be difficult at times. Now though, I am more equipped to tolerate these oncoming obstacles I figure!"...

On Tuesday evening, February 19, Vail Place members took the stage at the History Theatre in St. Paul. They performed pieces based on their lived experiences with mental illness. They were applauded with a standing ovation and responses including: “The stories of the actors and their bravery to share them with us. Awe-inspiring.” “The honesty of emotions and the courage to tell these stories is deeply moving.” “Helped open my eyes, thoughts, caring. I’ve never experienced the causes/effects/ feelings of mental illnesses and understanding the impact on trying to be comfortable with oneself.” “It was deeply moving and inspiring.” “Helps me gain insight into the roads they traveled. Very thankful for all.” These are typical responses every year to members’ performances since the Vail Place Theater Arts program launched five years ago in close partnership with the History Theatre.

Did you happen to catch the recent video promoting the Services for Services Auction? If not  check it out here. This award-worthy video – engaging, goofy, and just a hoot – was a production of the Hopkins Clubhouse Audio/Visual Team. It’s a testament to Clubhouse community, creativity, and commitment! Two years ago members and staff at a Clubhouse Training in Greenville, South Carolina were inspired by that Clubhouse’s focus on video production in their work day. They decided to bring some of that creative energy back to our Clubhouse community … with amazing results! The A/V Team has produced videos covering just about everything touching our Clubhouse community and all of Vail Place- • An overview of our programs for new members • Tobacco Independence videos to cover the transition to our new Tobacco Free policy • Week-at-a-glance (WAAG) videos to cover … well, what’s happening during the week … at a glance • Thank-you videos to donors (like the personal thank you videos that went to every person who donated to GiveMN last November – a real hit!) • Agency training events • A member mental health recovery story • Promotions for upcoming events Where does this creativity come from?

Vail Place is proud to wrap up another successful year of the Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) program. In 2018 our ROSS service coordinators - Katy Molinare at Hamilton House in St. Louis Park and Kayle Dietrich at Dow Towers in Hopkins - served 71...

Last August, a small group of supporters and members, our Vail Place superheroes, ran 200 miles and raised $5,000 to support Vail Place. Named after the legendary Scandinavian king, Ragnar is a relay race in which 12 runners take turns running three- to nine-mile segments on a path from St. Paul...

No Longer Lonely - Acceptance and friendship at Vail Place have transformed Fatuma’s life Before arriving at Vail Place in November 2017, Vail Place member Fatuma felt sicker and lonelier than she ever had before in her life. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, anxiety, and paranoia when she was only a teenager, Fatuma (now 38) had struggled with mental illness most of her life. “I had been seeing a psychologist for almost 16 years. But medication wasn’t helping me. I had no one close to me to share my problems with,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do.” A Phone Call Changed Everything With the help of her doctor and Hennepin County mental health professionals, Fatuma was directed to Vail Place. The first time she visited, however, she felt uncertain about whether she would fit in with the other members of the Clubhouse,  whose backgrounds and interests seemed different from her own. A phone call from another Clubhouse member named Caitlin changed everything. “I was having a bad, bad day,” Fatuma said. “Caitlin called me and said she wanted to check on me and see how I was. If people don’t come to the Clubhouse, they call to ask how you are. She told me they missed me.” Having someone demonstrate that they cared and were concerned made all the difference. “I hung up the phone. I didn’t have a car at that time, so I walked right to Cub Foods and bought a bus pass,” Fatuma said. “I took a bus to Vail Place the next day.” ‘Everybody at Vail Place Understands Me’