Our Mission ...to improve the quality of life in SoutheaStern minneSota

by providing rehabilitation and employment ServiceS

for perSonS with diSabilitieS and other Special needS.

annual report 2009

ABCAbility Building Center

Every year poses its unique challenges in leading an organization like Ability Building Center! Like most other organizations ABC certainly faced some serious challenges in 2009 as a result of the decline in our national economy. We were faced with significant funding cutbacks in a number of program areas and we were faced with work cutbacks and significant competition for community based work opportunities for the people we serve. We are pleased to report, based on proactive leadership from our board, the flexibility of our staff and the tremendous on-going support of our donors and community, we got through the year without having to down size services or programs, cut-back on staff numbers, or eliminate any work opportunities for persons served.

Before the funding cutbacks went into effect in July, we had already put in place some actions back in January and February 2009 to hold down expenses that would help to keep the budget on track through the end of the year. Although we didn’t implement a “hiring freeze”, we did put a “hiring chill” into effect for any staff positions that became open during the year. For those positions that became open, we looked to see if the job could be done in less hours, looked at work loads of existing positions to see if more duties could be assumed and didn’t refill positions right away if those duties could be shared. Along with controlling staff expense, we were able to keep our transportation expenses in line as a result of some transportation cost reductions we had put into effect back in 2008 and of course, more stable energy prices in 2009 certainly helped to keep the transportation budget on track.

It is never a pleasant task to deal with cutbacks. It was, however, made a little easier in 2009, since we had to deal with them for only a six month period of time, July through December. However, as we face 2010 we’ll have to adjust to the cutbacks made in 2009 for the entire year, plus the likelihood of additional cutbacks that may be implemented beginning July 2010 or before. Again, with the proactive leadership stemming from our Board of Directors, we developed a 2010 budget anticipating these funding cutbacks. Our focus is clear for the coming year. We intend to pursue and carry out our “mission” and be responsible stewards of the resources we receive.

We anticipate that there may be opportunities to expand our services and programs into some surrounding counties and communities in the coming year, especially in the areas of competitive employment services, independent living skills and “employer of record”. We will look at these opportunities cautiously and weigh the long term viability of any expansion given the current and future economic climate. Again, thank you for your ongoing support of ABC in another challenging but successful year.

Sincerely,

Steve Kann Steve Hill Board President Executive Director

2009 Letter frOm the BOard President & executive directOr

Revenue: Trade Sales & Community Contracts: $3,382,235 Program Service Fees: $7,332,926Contributions: $240,679United Way Allocations: $158,739Other Income: $24,863Investment Income: 112,106Total Revenue: $11,251,548

Program Services Expenses: Vocational Development: $196,684Center Based Employment: $3,329,594Ability Enterprises: $2,297,943Abilities Unlimited: $387,476 ABC Works: $2,075,336Community Based Employment: $1,627,154Total Program Services: $9,914,187 Supporting Services:Management and General: $934,001Development: $175,324Total Supporting Services: $1,109,325 Total Expenses: $11,023,512 Change in Net Assets: $228,036

• A Community Development Block Grant of $11,322 offset costs associated with the installing of a new hand rail system in the main facility hallway creating a much needed safer environment for our participants.

• IBM, through the help from present and past IBM employees, provided new computer work stations throughout Ability Building Center.

• The Minnesota Department of Transportation awarded a used van previously operated by the Red Cross of Minnesota. ABLE in Houston County donated a used van to help in ABC’s transporta- tion needs in Houston County.

• The Minnesota Star program provided grants and equipment in the amount of $5,098.72 to procure and maintain assistive technology for the People Achieving Change Through Technology (PACTT) program, and to cover expenses of continuing PACTT as one of three state-wide regional resource centers for assistive technology.

• The annual ABC golf tournament and auction again raised over $50,000 in revenue from golf sponsors, golf registrations, donations, and auction items.

• Memorial gifts in excess of $4,000.00 were received in the name of friends and loved ones.

• Charter Media provided opportunities for Ability Building Center to air advertisements throughout the year showing participants at work and marketing Paperless Office Solutions. KTTC donated television air time to promote our golf tournament.

• During 2009 ABC received additional contributions of over $120,000 for use in programs to serve people with disabilities.

(unaudited revenue)

2009 Financial Statement

deveLOPment

Highlights ...

For over 50 years Ability Building Center has prided itself on offering people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment a full array of pro-grams and services designed to assist them in meet-ing their own personal measure of success in life.

ABC measures our success one person at a time. None of the success ABC has experienced over the years would be possible without the partnerships we’ve been fortunate to develop with other com-munity agencies, businesses, employers, govern-mental entities, funders, service organizations, and the general public. We know that behind any per-son’s success there are usually many other people involved providing support and encouragement.

As in prior years, stakeholders have indicated a high level of satisfaction with the services received from Ability Building Center. Across program areas, Ability Building Center is consistently rated high in stakeholder satisfaction. We see this as an indica-tion that the services we provide meet a person’s individual goals, the outcomes expected by our referral sources, and the person’s interdisciplinary team.

Ability Building Center served 886 people, just above the 879 served in the 2008 programming year. Ability Enterprises continues to represent the largest group of individuals served by ABC, followed

by our Supported Employment program. The demographics of those served by ABC remained relatively unchanged from year-to-year, as persons served with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns made up a significant portion of those served in 2009.

The primary draw to Ability Building Center’s pro-grams is the accessibility to programs and services according to stakeholders. Additionally, the variety of programming and the seamless ability to transfer among programs as a person’s needs change is commonly mentioned as being an attractive feature of ABC. Opportunity, community work placement, skill building, and person-centered programming describe what stakeholders have come to expect from ABC.

Continuity of staff can have a big impact on qual-ity of programming, and staff retention has been strong for the past 2 years specifically in the Ability Enterprises Program where the average retention of staff is 3 years. Challenges facing the program going forward include uncertainty regarding program funding. Last year a rate cut was implemented by the State and it is possible another rate cut could be administered this coming year. Licensing require-ments also changed in the past year, as we move forward from the Region 10 quality assurance mod-el to the Department of Human Services rule 245B licensing requirements. These changes should not affect the quality of programming as ABC already meets or exceeds most of the licensing standards.

The Twice Is Nice 2 store in La Crescent has promoted community employment options to several participants that historically have not been employed in the community. This site has also been staffed by Woodland Industries’ participants in Supported Employment and Work Adjustment Training programs.

2009

Program Update...

The Small Change Laundry Service, oper-ated by ABC, has experienced an increase in customers this year, with consumers choosing to use cloth diapers and supporting the “go green” philosophy. They currently serve the La Crescent, Winona, Brownsville, Caledonia areas and the La Crosse & Onalaska area where the service picks up the dirty laundry and de-livers the clean. Small Change Laundry Service contracts with the La Crosse School District for laundering the towels that they use in their kitchens. They recently began laundering bar towels for a bar in La Crosse which may represent a potential new market to serve.

PACTT (People Achieving Change Through Technology), ABC’s assistive technology pro-gram, is recognized as the “regional assistive technology center” and has drawn the interest of major companies who wish to utilize the PACTT staff resources to test, help develop, and support research into assistive technology for persons with disabilities. In the spring of 2009, with the assistance of a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, and in partnership with the Rochester Public Schools, PACTT will offer a series of classes in regard to understanding the Individual Education Plan process and how assistive technology can help in transitioning students from school to the world of employment. This has been well-received by parents in the local district. PACTT continues its relationship with the Minnesota STAR Program which kindly provides funding and equipment which PACTT uses for loan and demonstration purposes.

In these challenging times, Ability Building Center is committed to providing effective, cost-efficient, and meaningful services to help individuals reach their own measure of success. The continued achievement of ABC’s programs relies not only on the dedicated staff, but those who volunteer their talents to sup-port our mission, as well as our many partners throughout the community. Through their efforts, Ability Building Center is assured of a long and bright future.

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abc numbers Served by program 2009

unduplicated participants Served

The Independent Living Skills program serves persons with acquired or traumatic brain injuries. The intent of the program is to assist people living in the community by providing a variety of services aimed at acclimating and involving people in their respective communities in order to develop independence. Examples of services may include budgeting assistance, social skills training, in-home assessments, and community integration.

Over the past year the ILS program has experi-enced a steady demand for services in areas we have traditionally served (i.e. Olmsted County). However, service has grown to include Houston County and most notably Rice County. Plans are in the works to further develop Rice County for increased service, possibly to begin providing services directed toward meeting the needs of senior citizens living in the community.

Through the Independent Living Skills Program we provide the supportive services people with disabilities need to live, work, and enjoy life. In other words, to simply remain an active and involved member of the community.

AchievementindePendent Living skiLLs (iLs)

A & F Consulting GroupABLEAce Communications GroupAdamson MotorsBob & Alice AdamsonD. H. & W. A. AdlerDon & Maxine AllertAmerican Legion Post 92Scott & Tammy AmosDennis & Betty AndersonKristin AndersonRichard & Marlys AndersonAnonymousAPNApplebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar

William ArmstrongBill & Mary AroninAssociated BankDolores AugedahlRichard & June AxelsonMary BakerBarry Screen Print & Sign CompanyChuck & Kitty BarryVicki BarryJim BartaRandy BartzTom BattersonRosine BauerAlberta BaumanRick & Florentina BeardenCharles & Ann Beatty

Mary BellClaire BenderJohn BensonWilliam BergKeith BergeTom & Kathy BergquistAudrey BetcherLeslie & Elaine BeyerSteven & Bonnie BickelTom & Judy BiersBigelow HomesBigelow-Lennon ConstructionBruce & Carol BigelowMark & LaVone BigelowPat & Molly BigelowWally & Faye Bigelow

W. G. BjorkIrene BlohmJohn BondyRon & Judy BooneBill & Rita BourneDon & Dorothy BourquinStacey BoysenFran & Mary BradleyWes BrandenburgerJean BrandtGordon & Kathleen BranesJames & Diane BronkDon & Rosemary BrossoitMichael BrowerJulie BrownTamara BrownTerry & Shelley Brown

$10,000 Silver LevelMcNeilus Steel

$2,500 Bronze LevelAlan AndersonTimothy BrandtCommunity Lawn Care (new)Steve Fuchs & Therese SternCraig & Laurie KellagherJane KreidermacherKwik TripRuth Murray (new)R & S TransportSteve & Laura SchroederEric & Barb Spencer

Harv & Dorothy SpencerDennis & Connie TooleyAl & Julie Watts

$1,000 Blue Level (new)Atomic LearningDave BahrJim BroadbentKarin ByersCaledonia CharitiesCanadian Honker Restaurant & CateringCardinal of MinnesotaEleanor & Kenneth HeroldKent & Lisa Heusinkveld

Hubbell House RestaurantKiwanis Clubs Hockey FestivalLouis & Marie LetendreRick & Lori LovettArlysse MacGillivrayDan & Sunny MooreJean Murray & George HustonMargaret MurrayProgressive Tool & ManufacturingRochester Area AppraisalsRobert & Helen SchroederTreasure Island Resort & CasinoVenture Computer SystemsPaulette Zenner

Thank You!2009 BenefactOrs & dOnOrsThe Benefactors Circle was established in 1994 to honor key leaders in the ABC mission. Donors who give cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more are recognized at 5 different levels. Listed below are our new Benefactors and those who have achieved a new level of giving in 2009.

2009 dOnOrs ______________________________________________

Mark & Lisa BrueskeDon & Donnis BuchanJim & Karen BuchananWayne & Gretchen BuegeBernard & Rosanne BuehlerMahlon & Marilyn BurbankBarbara BurgessShelley BurkhardtButler VideoDon & Pat ButtersR. J. BymersByron Pet ClinicCO Brown Insurance AgencyJim & Sharon CadwellCaledonia BakeryCaledonia ElectronicsCaledonia HaulersCaitlin CallahanClint & Tara CalvertRoger & Lois CarlsonCharter CommunicationsKevin & Carol ChirhartCity of RochesterClarey’s Safety EquipmentJim & Joan ClarkAnnie ClementJohn ColemanPeter & Margaret ColemanEdmund ComartinCommonweal Theatre CompanyCostello CommunicationsCourtyard MarriottMike CousinoJim & Eleanore CoxJoyce CraneJoel & Ann CreightonDorothy CrownCulinary MarketTom & Jane CummingsAlfred & Thelma CutaiaD & R Star VendingOlga DahlenDairy QueenTom & Rocky DanielsonDavies Printing CompanyPatrick DavittTom & Lorraine DeedrickJim & Carol DemullingRon & Grace DenoDiamond Jo CasinoJerry & Irene DiamondRon DickeJoseph & Margaret DieserJohn & Kay DiffleyDavid & Betty DinesKenneth & Barbara DittrichBob & Barbara DomailleRon & Bev DotzenrodDave & Sue Dripps

Beth DubordDuane & Barbara DuekerTheodore DunningtonDennis DurginEdward Jones InvestmentsGarth & Shelly EdwardsHarold & Betty EggebraatenColin & Elaine EickhoffLeonette EikensLinda EisterholdEitzen State BankJohn & Geraldine EkstromGary & Gloria EllinhuysenEllingson ElevatorDavid & Stacy EllingsonJim & Millie EllingsonChuck & Marlys ElliottKim & Cathy EnersonDick & Nancy EngravKay EppardBobby EricksonLarry & Karen EricksonMarcelline EricksonTitus & Carol EvansFaith Lutheran ChurchFamous DavesKaye FenskeFred & Rosanne FibegerBill & Ruth FischerRick & Carol FishbuneDorothy FogartyForensic TechnologiesJim & Jacqueline FranckGrace FranzLaurel FrettemGary & Cindy FriedtLucille FruechteBill & Vanessa FurlowG & R Auto & Truck RepairMike & Deb GarryDorothy GauthierTimothy & Kathleen GeislerColin Gentling & Lisa ClarkeJennifer GeraciSteven GiffordBob & Judy GluekJim & Valerie GodseySue Goetz-MeyersJim & Bev GorderJim GormanBrett GrahamLois GraifJoan GravettPaul & Heather GrayGreat Harvest Bread CompanyDavid GredenLeon & Linda GreggCody & DeAnn GriebenowCraig & Linda GriebenowMary Griffin

Carol GronsethBob & Ann GrooverLarry GrundenJoe GunnisonGil & Mary GutknechtHelen HafnerSue HaggertyJames & Patricia HaleyJames & Ila HammellDavid & Barbara HanlonBrian & Diane HansonDavid & Barbara HansonDorothy HartmanMike & Nancy HassLauri Hassinger & Steve LinkKevin & Kathleen HennesseyRichard & Eunice HepfelDallas & Sharyl HerrickDale & Charlotte HeynGeorge & Carolyn HeyneGary Hicks & Sheila SenefAnn HighHighland ALCWBeatrice HillSteve & Karin HillHIMECMark & Suzanne HindermannEric & Annette HjelterBruce & Ellie HoffmanDoris HolmDouglas HoltanMary HoltegaardHoly Cross Lutheran ChurchHome Improvement ProfessionalsHenry & Karen HorstmanDarrel & Carol HoschHouse of BounceHouston United CampaignGreg & Jane HovlandHuber EyecareWalter & Frances HuebnerHyVee SouthIBM CorporationKerry & Mary ImmingInsty PrintsMarijane IrlbeckAudrey IversonJ & J Parade FloatsRobert JacobsenJim JacobsonLanny & Dorothy JacobsonLarry JankowskiTed & Denise JanzowJDS IndustriesMarge JensenMike & Lori JergensonRaymond & Mary JewisonRonald & Jeanette Johannsen

Mike & Mary JohnsonCarol JohnsonMarian JohnsonSteve & Nanomi JohnsonThad JohnsonVirgil & Mary Ann JohnsonRalph & Thelma JohnstonClifford & Shirley JossartMike & Dawn KaderabackRashid Kadir & Stacey Vanden HeuvelCurt & Maxine KalmesSteve & Brenda KannWilliam & Jeannine KarnesCandace KashKreg KauffmanAbigail KeckhaferJim & Annette KellyDick KerndtShirley KlampeKristie KlattKnitcraft CorporationBrenda KnutsonJerry & Angie KraetschGene & Patricia KreinbringKTTCDon & Carol LambergAllison LarsonBob LarsonSteve & Joan LarsonJohn & Paula LaskowskiBetty LatzRichard & Sharon LawlerRita LawrenceDon & Phyllis LaytonKen & Judy LecyJerry & Judy LeeRick LeeRod & Nina LeeLegends Technical ServicesDave & Betsy LeonardLesmeister Truck CenterPauline LloydEdward & Pearlene LongRose LorigAline LovejoyJohn & Pat LynaughAnn MacGillivrayJennifer MackenRichard & Myrth MackenMall of AmericaFrancis & Dorothy ManhartGinny ManningMaple Valley Golf & Country ClubBill & Doreen MarkusMayo ClinicTim McBeainJim & Carol McCabeTom & Mary McDonaldDan & Sheila McNallan

2009 Donors (continuted) _______________________________________

Don & Lavona MeinersCathy MeinhardtMerchants BankJoe MessickMetro SalesBarb MihokD. Mike MillerMinnesota EnergyMinnesota Star ProgramMinnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota TwinsDonette MitchellKim Moccia & Gerard AripezMorning Pride Lions ClubMargaret MossingGlenda MuellerJohn & Sigrid MuellerRalph & Lois MullallyLarry & Lynn MundtCathleen MurphyPatrick MurphyTom & Angela MurphyTom & Betty MurrayGlynis MyhreJamie NandoryAudrey NelsonLeona NelsonMarie NepperHarry & Joanne NevlingNew Albin Savings BankGary & Joan NoserRussell & Donna OakesMichael & Colleen O’ConnellOlmsted County Lumber MartOlmsted Medical CenterOlmsted Medical Center AuxiliaryOlmsted National BankDuane OlsonJeffrey OlsonBrian & Mary Ellen OnsgardJeff O’TooleDoug & Diane PageMaynard & Anita PalmquistLyle & Lise PapenfussTom & Susan PaskeRobert & Carolyn PattersonArt & Donna PavlishVirginia PayneLorraine PearsonGeorge PehlerPepsi Cola of RochesterMary PetersenTom & Pat PeylaPine Island Golf CourseJerry & Marylyn PiotrowskiGordon & Barb Pitel

Robert & Jackie PitelPork & PlantsSusan PowersPPMI MotorsportsPremier BankWilliam & Susan PufferDoris PurdueBrian & Anne PurringtonQuarry Hill Park Animal HospitalDick & Lois QuinnQwestR & S TransportBob & Berna Dene RaddatzRamada Hotel & Conference CenterSteve & Carolyn RamakerNorma RandbyMatthew RavelingRCTC Horticulture ProgramRecreation LanesRed Carpet InnBruce & LuAnn RemmeMark RendahlVincent & Madeline RiccioliChristina RobertsonJoseph RobertsonRochester Civitan ClubDan & Ann RoederRobert RohnerRuben RomeroPhillip & Kathryn RossmanCharlotte RupprechtLaureen RupprechtDavid RyderFred & Michele SaackGeorge & Mindy SakayanBob & Betty SandeBob SandvikTed & Renee SaxmanLeroy ScharkeyTom & Mary SchattenbergBernie & JoAnn SchergerRodney & Marilyn SchiebestedSchmidt-Goodman Office ProductsCarl & Verna Schmidt FoundationJerry & Tina SchomersDave & Mary SchrandtMarlyn SchroederStanley & Diane SchroederDorothy SchulzeWayne & Joyce SchutMary SchwagerBob & Carol SchwartzhoffJoseph & Cynthia SeeDeWayne & Gloria SeversonEugene & Elaine SkjevelandJudy & Jim SloanSlumberland Furniture

Dan & Kathy SmithMike & Barb SmithDennis SommerDuane & Kathy SowersCatherine SpencerScott Spencer & Lynn IndiharSpring Grove Commercial ClubSpring Grove United FundAllgra StandingDave & Sara StenhaugDebbie Stennes & Bill MeyerSterling State BankRichard SternbergStewartville American LegionIvin & Clarice StorlieAlan & Shelda StormRick StormPeter StrandDenis & Mary StreiAl & Joyce StrombergLila StuckyJames SugrueDick & Barb SulackSwanson ExcavatingDan & Dianne SwansonHarry & Delores SwedlundGordon & Betty SweenKen & Jacky SwensonHarry & Evelyn SykesTeigen Paper & SupplyRod, Eileen & Bob TheinThink Mutual BankHarold & Marlys ThompsonMargaret ThompsonPaul ThompsonTerry ThulAgnes ThurkJerry ThurkSteve ThurkEva TiemanJudy TollefsrudJames TonkinsonBrenda TravisJerry & Barbara TreichelTrinity Lutheran Church WomenSandra TschidaCurt & Bertha Lou TvedtUnited Way of Central & Northeastern ConnecticutUnited Way of Olmsted CountyUS BankTom VanDerLinden & Jean SilbermanJeremy & Kerri VangnessJanice VanHulleGlenn & Ella VanLaningham

Virgil’s Auto Clinic & TowingWayne VlasakFred & Marlys WagnerJesse & Mary WallaceWal-Mart NorthEdward & Mary WarmkagathjeWaterloo Ridge WELCARoger & Sarabeth WatsonKatherine WeberRichard & Lynne WeberLouis & Shelly WegmanWeis BuildersJoe & Darlene WeisWells Fargo BankPaul & Mary Jo WertzlerWayne & Pam WesalaGlen & Nancy WhiteWHV Heating, Air Conditioning & RoofingWiebke TireBruce & Julie WieserDick & Sheila WieserDave & Aileen WilliamsDoris WilliamsTom & Marion WilliamsBill & Sarah WilliamsonByrn & Anita WilliamsonDoug & Terry WiltsieWinona AgencyDean & Susan WisteRobert & Marge WithersLibby WitzemanEugene & Marilyn WojtczakMary WoldMarjorie WolfgramSaundra Wolk & Lawrence HannanAl WussowYe Olde Butcher ShoppeJim & Krys ZahradnikFred & Roxanne ZiecinaZieke Service & EquipmentRobert ZiembaWarren & Helen ZimmermanMary ZubayWendell & Judy Zwart

Names in bold are our Benefactors.

Front Row: President Steve Kann, Treasurer Dick Quinn, Patty Simcox, Second Row: Kreg Kauffman, Alice Adamson, Judy Tollefsrud, Back Row: Roger Dearth, Vice President Tom Bergquist, Secretary Angela Murphy and Tom Murphy

Not pictured Arne Fockler

Ability Building Center’s success over the years is greatly attributed to the leadership of its board members.

BOard Of Directors

Ability Building Center1911 14th Street nwpo box 6938rochester, mn 55903-6938(507)281-6262

ABC Works62 north 3rd Streetlacrescent, mn 55947(507)895-7161 ABC Works730 north pinepo box 408caledonia, mn 55921(507)725-2057

Ability Options308 elton hills drive nwrochester, mn 55901(507)280-3489

PACTT310 elton hills drive nwrochester, mn 455901(507) 535-7101 Woodland Industries521 old highway drivecaledonia, mn 55921(507)725-2092

We strive to be as accurate as possible; if you notice an error or omission, or would like to make a contribution, please contact Laurie Kellagher, Development Director at (507) 535-7105.

aBc Facilities ...

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

EMPLOYER

For all of the latest information on Ability Building Center visit our newly designed website.

www.abcinc.orgYou can register to receive newsletters, annual reports and updates electronically.

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