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Opening Doors to a Lifetime of Opportunity

A Message from Diane Cross, Fraser President and CEO

In 2021, we experienced some wonderful moments of joy, while we grappled with continued complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, we learned new ways to do familiar things, and we grew our presence in the community.

In March, Fraser opened a new Autism Center of Excellence® satellite location in Maple Grove, MN, to serve 24 children and their families. We also opened another satellite location in Brooklyn Center in December, providing care to 48 children.

With safety modifications, we hosted our annual events — even though they looked a little different than usual. They provided fun and a much-needed respite from the isolation we were all feeling.

The Fraser Festival for Autism, presented by Central Roofing Company, took place in a parking lot across from Mall of America, with music, therapy animals, stilt walkers, bubbles, and a giant crane.

The Fraser Gala, presented by U.S. Bank, was a hybrid event, allowing people to attend in person at the Hilton or online. Ivan Neville and the Paul Peterson Orchestra took us on a musical journey, making us feel like we were in an intimate jazz club in New Orleans.

Fraser also joined the Minnesota State Fair last year, with the help of Central Roofing Company, a long-time supporter of Fraser. With their help, we were able to offer the Fraser Sensory Building at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. It filled me with joy to see families, children, and adults with diverse needs use the space as a respite from the noise and crowds of the fair.

These opportunities for joy are so important right now.

Young people and children are facing the stress of an ongoing pandemic, and their mental health needs have soared. The situation has become so serious that the Surgeon General recently issued an advisory about the mental health crisis facing our country’s children and young people. With your help, Fraser continues to show up and support children, teens, adults, and families of all abilities. You help us create these pockets of joy, like a child learning how to communicate with their family for the first time, hugging a therapy llama at the festival, and finding a quiet, safe space with people who understand their sensory needs at community events.

When you raise your paddle at the Fraser Gala, donate through your paycheck, host a fundraiser, volunteer with the Fraser community, or attend one of our events, you open the doors of inclusion, accessibility, opportunity, and JOY for our Fraser families. Thank you for all you contributed in 2021. The strength and generosity of our community continues to amaze and humble me.

With gratitude,

Diane S. Cross, Fraser President and CEO

Creating Space for Children of All Abilities

Elliot had difficulty interacting with kids, preferred adults, and was highly verbal. He was also sensitive to noise and needed physical input to regulate.

His mom, Sara, was grateful when Fraser diagnosed Elliot with autism at age 2.

“For kids like Elliott who may present a little differently, it can be hard to get a diagnosis,” says Sara. “We’ve gotten a lot of extra support during the prime years of his development.”

Elliott worked on his social interaction and emotional regulation in Fraser Early Beginnings Telehealth. He can now identify his feelings better.

“His therapist is probably one of the best things that has happened to our family,” says Sara.

When they heard Fraser was joining the Minnesota State Fair, Sara’s family planned to attend. They went to the Fraser Sensory Building and bought a Fraser Sensory Kit.

The Fraser Sensory Building at the Minnesota State Fair

“Elliott loves bags, so he was excited. He was in the stroller, and holding onto the bag helped him feel comfortable and safe. When he was ready, he got out and explored the fair. When he felt overwhelmed, he used the noise-canceling headphones and the fidget. He loves to draw, so he used the whiteboard too,” says Sara. “The tools helped him have an enjoyable time.”

Girls Start a Fidget Business that Donates to Fraser

Samantha Sakallah and her friends — Sarah, Ellie, Alexis, Jill, and Grace — love fidgets.

“What inspired me [to start selling] is that I personally love fidgets because they are fun to play with and help me when I feel worried and anxious. Other people might need them too,” explains 10-year-old Samantha.

Samantha’s mom, Heidi, helped them create a website: Fidget2Give.com to sell fidgets.

The girls created a “you buy one, we give one” business model. For each purchase, the girls’ business, Fidget2Give, donates the same toy to Fraser. Fidgets are used as therapeutic toys.

“When we talk about who we’re donating to, so many people are happy to hear it’s Fraser,” says Heidi.

Offering Crucial Mental Health Services

Pat lives in a Fraser Independent Living apartment building. He likes to read, nonfiction mostly. He also enjoys going for long walks with his Boston terrier, Daisy. He moved into the building in July 2020 from another Fraser building.

“I like that I have a little more independence here, and I’ve also made friends in the building,” says Pat.

Pat first received services at Fraser when he was 4. His parents noticed that Pat didn’t like crowds and struggled with social interactions. He would also flap his hands, which is known as stimming in the autism community. His parents brought him to Fraser, and he was diagnosed with autism. He started occupational therapy and later attended a social skills group.

“It helped me feel more centered,” says Pat. “The group also gave me the skills to make friends.”

Pat also struggles with anxiety and depression, and the pandemic has exacerbated that. Particularly during the beginning of the pandemic, he struggled because so many things were closed, and he missed going out. He met with a Fraser therapist who helped him become better at regulating his emotions.

Pat appreciates that Fraser has a lot of experience helping people like him, and that services are offered throughout a person’s lifetime.

“You can get help where you’re at, and that’s so important,” says Pat.

“Our family was happy to support Fraser’s campaign to provide mental health services to its clients and their families. We know first-hand that these services are critical and hard to come by. Thank you, Fraser, for making a crucial difference in the lives of all our loved ones.”– Heidi Wilson, Fraser donor and mother of Fraser client

Expanding Services to Match Needs

Paige started volunteering at a daycare. Paige has autism, an intellectual disability, and anxiety. After a year, she was hired as an assistant teacher and realized it was her calling.

“I asked her if she wanted to continue working as an assistant, and she said she wanted to be a teacher and lead the class,” Tarah says.

Paige connected with Fraser Career Planning and Employment (CPE). They helped her apply for college, go on a tour, sign up for classes, and arrange for a Lyft to school.

“Working with CPE helped Paige build her confidence and independence,” Tarah says.

When Paige’s independent living skills (ILS) worker announced she was leaving her position, Paige was nervous. She reached out to Fraser OnTRAC, a program that helps transition-age youth with autism gain independence.

The assessment helped Paige understand she doesn’t need as much help as she thought.

“OnTRAC is an important program because it forces young people to look at themselves and identify their strengths and weaknesses,” says Tarah.

Paige is 21 and just started in the Early Childhood Education program at Dakota County Technical College.

“CPE helps make the untouchable reachable,” Tarah says. “These programs help young people with autism and other disabilities feel like they can be independent and give back and be a productive part of society. It helps them feel that they too belong.”

Providing a Lifetime of Support

Aaron and his twin sister, Laura, were born prematurely. Aaron was diagnosed with moderate cerebral palsy. His doctors didn’t think he would learn to sit up and speak or write.

At age 3, Laura and Aaron started at Fraser School®, and Aaron received occupational, physical, and speech therapy.

“Being at Fraser School helped me with my independence and gave me my first glimpse of friendship,” says Aaron.

Aaron and his family from the Fraser 1997 Annual Report

When he was 4, Aaron had surgery to sever some malfunctioning nerves. Nancy credits this surgery and his therapies with Aaron being able to walk today.

In high school, Aaron had a neuropsychology evaluation at Fraser and was diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disorder. Despite his challenges, he volunteered at Fraser School.

Aaron is now 29. He lives on his own, works as a visitor experience staff and a dome attendant, and enjoys creative writing.

“Aaron and I have run this marathon together,” Nancy said. “And now, I’m passing the baton to him. I feel very confident that Fraser will help him and support him, so I can let go.”

Building Relationships Across the Community

Donna Harris is an early childhood special education teacher at Hall Stem Academy, a magnet school for pre-K to 5th grade in North Minneapolis. For the last 14 years, Donna has partnered with Fraser school-based mental health services, which provide therapy to children at Hall.

Mental health services are an important lifeline for kids during the pandemic. Kids at Hall are also grappling with the trauma from the murder of George Floyd and the spike in violence over the last summer in North Minneapolis.

“I had one student who was very concerned whenever we walked out to the playground. He would say, ‘It’s not safe.’ He was only 4, and he was clearly grappling with trauma,” Donna says.

Fraser therapists and teachers share information and problem-solve how to support students. Families may disclose things to a therapist that they wouldn’t with a teacher.

“It’s hard to learn your letters when you’re worried about getting enough to eat or about where a loud noise is coming from,” Donna says. “But when we work together, it helps us build relationships and makes the care we give so much more personalized and human.”

Advocating for Brighter Futures

At 18 months, Colleen and her husband, Rich, noticed their son Shane was withdrawing. He only used single words.

At 2, Fraser diagnosed Shane with autism, and he started several therapies, including music therapy.

“I’ll never forget when Shane sang, ‘I want milk,’” says Colleen. “I cried tears of joy.”

Shane was his kindergarten teacher’s first student with autism. His Fraser therapists showed her how to set up her classroom and work with Shane.

Shane is 21 and graduated from Bethel University’s Inclusive Learning and Development (BUILD) program, with an emphasis on media production. He worked for KARE 11 at the Minnesota State Fair and has been filming community events. He still likes to sing and play the guitar.

“The staff at Fraser told us Shane was delayed in his development, but he was also still learning and growing and encouraged me to keep pushing him,” says Colleen. “He went from being a little boy who spoke only a few words to narrating and documentary videos and singing and acting on stage.”

Events

Fraser Festival for Autism, presented by Central Roofing Company

The Fraser Festival for Autism, presented by Central Roofing Company, was a free, one-of-a-kind, sensory-friendly festival on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the North Parking Lot at Mall of America. The event raised awareness and support for individuals and families impacted by autism.

The family-friendly event included visits from our furry friends at North Star Therapy Animals, a musical and puppetry performance from The Jolly Pops, a socially-distanced photo booth from Atomic Data, and a giant crane and semi-truck from Central Roofing. This year, the festival raised more than $160,000 for Fraser autism programs and services.

Tee Off for Fraser, presented by Geritom Medical

On Monday, July 12, 2021, 133 golfers enjoyed Tee Off for Fraser, presented by Geritom Medical at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club. Our signature scramble golf event raised funds for Fraser Community Living, which provides supportive housing for teens and adults with disabilities.

Your generous contributions raised more than $115,000 for Fraser Community Living. These funds support the individuals who live in these homes and apartments by providing the following:

  • Home maintenance and repair
  • Recreational supplies and activities
  • Enhanced security and accessibility projects
  • Increased staffing and training

Fraser Gala, presented by U.S. Bank

Fraser welcomed guests back to the Hilton Minneapolis for the 2021 Fraser Gala, presented by U.S. Bank, on Oct. 16. Our first-ever hybrid event also had over 300 attendees join online! The gala transported guests to New Orleans through fabulous food, cocktails, décor, and entertainment.

Enticing Entertainment and the Southside Aces created a street parade right inside the Hilton Minneapolis. Ivan Neville and the Paul Peterson Orchestra took us on a musical journey, making us feel like we were in an intimate jazz club in the French Quarter.

The Fraser Gala raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to open doors for more Minnesotans with diverse needs by giving them access to specialty healthcare, housing, education, career planning and employment services, case management, and other supports.

Letter from our Board Chair

Last year brought change, but the progress wasn’t quite what many hoped. We were finally able to gather with friends and family, but there was still trepidation about contracting and spreading the virus.

And still, you showed up for us. You donated, you shared on social media, you volunteered at events, you told your friends about Fraser, and you created unique fundraisers that benefited Fraser.

Just look at the 10-year-old girls who, with help, created a business—Fidget 2 Give — that not only sells fidgets, but also donates a fidget back to Fraser, for each one sold.

Then there’s our long-time Fraser friend, Leo Dworsky, a freshman at St. Olaf College. Leo has regaled audiences with his incredible voice at our gala events. He has also hosted his own fundraisers, where he sings to raise money for Fraser services. Last April, he raised over $2,000 for Fraser, from these events.

There are also donors like Kat Moore. Kat’s son, Aidan, receives services at Fraser. Kat wrote and illustrated the children’s book,“Moonaby,” which is a whimsical lullaby that explains scary things at bedtime. Kat is donating 10% of Moonaby’s sales to Fraser.

And people like YOU have continued to volunteer their time. Sensory volunteers helped support individuals and families in the Fraser

Sensory Building at the Minnesota State Fair. Volunteers also delivered meals and gifts to our Community Living residents over the holidays. Still more volunteers assembled and provided items for silent auction baskets that were raffled off at the Fraser Gala, presented by U.S. Bank.

Your continued support has shown how much this Fraser family means to you. On behalf of the Fraser Board of Directors, I want to thank you for the many ways you’ve continued to open the doors of opportunity for our community. It’s been a challenging year, but you showed up again and again. Each one of you makes our organization stronger. Please accept our sincere thanks.

Keith Klein, Chair, Fraser Board of Directors

Fraser by the Numbers

Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award

Congratulations to the 2022 Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award recipients, Margret Martodam and Central Roofing Company, who helped us build on the legacy of our founder, Louise Whitbeck Fraser.

Margret Martodam

My connection with Fraser goes back over 20 years, thanks to my former boss, Rick Ferris. I was employed at Wells Fargo Bank, when I participated in my first Fraser Festival for Autism. In 2007, my connection became even more personal. My daughter Jenelle and her husband, John, noticed their two-year-old son Tyler was struggling with diet and sleep and had difficulty interacting with other children. Tyler was evaluated and began services at Fraser.

Tyler is 16 now, a sophomore in high school, and has a promising future. The early interventions he received at Fraser helped him get where he is today.

When my daughter, Jenelle, passed away unexpectedly, her husband John and I created the Never Forget Nellie fundraising team to honor her memory and love for Tyler. Since 2013, the team has raised nearly $100,000 for autism services at the Fraser Festival for Autism. We have also raised almost $33,000 with our table at Fraser Annual Benefit.

When Rick and Connie Ferris donated to create “Jessica’s Playground” at Fraser School, my husband David and I were invited to be a part of a garden named in Jenelle’s honor. In the spring, the children at Fraser School help us plant flowers in "Nellie’s Garden.” It’s really sweet to see how excited the kids get about planting the garden. Each December, David and I also create a winter garden for them to enjoy.

I’m deeply committed to being a donor, volunteer, and advocate for Fraser. Receiving the Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award is an overwhelming honor. I fundraise for Jenelle and Tyler because she would want us to. For me, it’s all about the children that Fraser serves. All these gifted, beautiful children would fall through the cracks without Fraser. But the staff see the kids’ potential, and they understand how to teach children of all abilities in different ways.

Fraser has done so much for so many.

-Margret Martodam, wife, mom, nana of a Fraser child, fundraiser, and donor

Central Roofing Company

Central Roofing Company is a family-owned roofing company, leading the industry in innovation since 1929. The company donates to causes that support children, military veterans, the unhoused, and the underserved.

Since 2017, Central Roofing Company has donated more than $450,000 to Fraser.

“We appreciate that Fraser is in Minnesota, so the funds we donate stay in the community and support families here,” says Jason Stock, Central Roofing Vice President and CFO. “Fraser is close to my heart because I have two children on the autism spectrum.

“This past summer, we helped renovate the Fraser Sensory Building at the Minnesota State Fair. We want to increase the building’s accessibility in 2022 and make it a warm and inviting place for years and years to come.

“Central Roofing is beyond honored to receive this award, but for me, it’s all about seeing the smiling faces of the children and families. To be able to provide that moment of happiness — where these families feel like typical families — that’s priceless.”

–Jason Stock, Central Roofing Vice President and CFO and Fraser donor

THANK YOU FOR VISITING!

Your gifts to Fraser helps create a world where all people have an equal opportunity and choice to realize their dreams to live, work, learn and play as members of our community. Thank you for strengthening our communities!

Please visit our website at www.fraser.org to learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to get involved.