Avivo serves more than 270 additional families after expansion into Wright and Mille Lacs Counties

Avivo is excited to announce an expansion into Wright County and Mille Lacs County, offering family and employment services from new offices in Buffalo and Milaca. This comes after Avivo was selected as the sole provider to serve families accessing public assistance in Wright County and Mille Lacs County. With the addition of these two counties, Avivo is now serving an additional 274 additional families in Minnesota.

“I feel grateful to be in a position to make a positive impact in the community I grew up in,” shares Tessa Holgate, program supervisor at Avivo’s new Buffalo location.  “By working closely with Avivo participants in this area I’ll learn from them and discover the needs of others living in Wright County.”

“I feel grateful to be in a position to make a positive impact in the community I grew up in,” shares Tessa Holgate, program supervisor at Avivo’s new Buffalo location.  

“It was a competitive grant process, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to serve these additional families,” shares Patrick Shepard, program manager at Avivo.

According to Julie Kizlik, program director in Avivo’s Family and Employment Services, one of the main reasons Avivo has become the provider of choice for families working to move off public assistance is through removing barriers and simplifying the process.

“People respond better to us when we remove barriers. After that, we can work with them on what they need to move forward and push them in a direction they want to go,” shares Julie.

Julie adds that Avivo helps participants make connections to resources in the community depending on their unique needs. One example she shares is Avivo providing recent immigrants with a Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking interpreter.

An Avivo counselor might also help by providing a gas card or funding a car repair, or helping link participants to childcare, housing, and mental health services. Participants can also get help earning their GED (General Education Diploma), connecting to career training, creating a resume, and finding a job.

“Being able to provide the support and resources that families need in this community is a very rewarding feeling,” shares Valerie Raiter, program supervisor at Avivo’s new Milaca location.

“Being able to provide the support and resources that families need in this community is a very rewarding feeling,” shares Valerie Raiter, program supervisor at Avivo’s new Milaca location. “With our approach of compassion and empathy, I believe we are able, as an organization, to provide the ultimate goal of successfully helping secure employment for families.”

Last year, Avivo helped nearly 1,200 individuals and families move off public assistance and into work. Avivo’s team does whatever it takes to help individuals move their families forward. You can support Avivo’s work by making a donation.