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Aitkin County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) has been serving local adults with developmental disabilities since 1967. Its humble beginnings were in a church basement, and over time we have grown and expanded into 3 different locations.

 First, we have folks at DAC-Mart Thrift Store that manage donations, loom upcycled denim rugs, and keep the store up and running.

Second, we then have DAC, in a leased space within the Aitkin Growth Innovations building, where our activities-based Life Enrichment program is held.

Third, we have DACWORKS where clients run a worm farm, do a multitude of woodworking projects, make various seasonal crafts, making ice-dyed products, loom rugs, tend chickens, and more. DACWORKS' hand-crafted, high-quality products are all sold in the Uniquely DAC corner of DAC-Mart and provide an opportunity for our clients to earn an income.

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The leadership team has long dreamed of the ability to combine different parts of the program so our incredible clients can have more access to opportunities like learning new skills, the ability to collaborate with different groups, and more. Riverwood’s Behavioral Health building came up for sale, and we jumped at the opportunity to purchase the building that will be renovated to suit our needs for program enhancement. This would enable us to have our own space (not leased) for our Life Enrichment crowd, and have better and larger space for our Special Projects crew, as well as having a designated collaboration space for our leadership team to be closer and collaborate more often to solve problems and further enhance our program.

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Our Mission states “We provide exceptional support that empowers people

to achieve their personal best.” 

With your help, we can continue our Mission by enhancing our large, beautiful, inclusive space for us to come together! 

With this new building and its renovations, it would provide the people we serve:

·         More organized and specified space for different products we make that are for sale at the Uniquely DAC space located in DAC-Mart

·         greater access to a larger amount of new and exciting activities for our Life Enrichment crowd

·         Safer outdoor spaces away from traffic that we could have flower and vegetable gardens within, for greater access to fresh produce while being surrounded by wildlife for enjoyment purposes

·         Safer transportation practices - The ability to board and unload vehicles in a paved space, away from traffic

·         Better/more handicap accessible bathroom facilities

·         A communal activity/recreation space for enhanced leisure activities and gatherings with a kitchen area included

·         A more inclusive space to help friendships grow, enhancing their social circle

·         And more!

It would also provide better communication and collaboration abilities among staff by having a designated, close space to continue honing our ever-expanding, amazing services we provide.

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With our program needs, we will be knocking down some walls, putting in different flooring, adding a kitchenette space in our recreation area, purchasing some new equipment, and adding a safe outdoor patio space.

Your contribution to our Together We Grow campaign will make a significant impact on the lives of the people we serve - both now, and for the future!