2024 marks an incredible 75 years since the founding of our agency. As part of our celebration of this community's past, present, and future, we'll be sharing highlights from our unique history each month.

Over the years, MSS has forged many deeply rewarding and productive community partnerships, grounded in mutual respect for one other’s skills, ideas, and perspectives. These collaborations have connected people with vital resources and relationships, enriching the lives of everyone involved.

Just as we began as an alternative school for children with disabilities, some of our earliest and most cherished partnerships have been with schools and youth organizations. Our work with local school districts, such as District 917 and Bridgeview School, has been instrumental in linking students in disability services to MSS. Another particularly long-standing partner is the West 7th Street Boys Club, who has generously donated food during Thanksgiving and gifts during the holiday seasons to individuals at MSS throughout the years.

Though we no longer partner with 3M, the memories of working alongside their retired engineers, their generous donation of vehicles, and their invaluable assistance in redesigning our warehouse will always hold a special place in our history. Not only was 3M essential to making our spaces come to life, but we also spent over 25 years partnered with them in our employment program, giving the people we serve more access to meaningful job opportunities. In the photos above, we see representatives from 3M joining MSS staff and the people in our programs to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their work together.

Our community partners have not only enriched people's lives—they have also expanded how we envision our services in areas like employment, the creative arts, and volunteerism. And as our programs continue to evolve, so do our partnerships in the community. We are particularly proud of our collaborations with individuals and organizations like Carnage the Executioner, Upstream Arts, The Show Gallery, Chicago Fire Arts Studio, COMPAS, and the Textile Center. These relationships have been pivotal in unlocking new opportunities for creativity, personal growth, and professional development, allowing the individuals we support to explore their talents and express themselves in ways that were previously unimaginable.

As we reflect on our 75 years as an organization, we are grateful for the many partners who have walked alongside us on this journey. Each one has played a vital role in deepening MSS's connections to the community of the Twin Cities and beyond. It is because of these extraordinary partnerships that we have been able to grow, innovate, and continue to support people with such dedication and passion.