Press Releases
Melissa Lemke of St. Louis Park Receives Arc's
'Changing Attitudes' Change Maker Award
May 2, 2008
ST. PAUL – Arc Greater Twin Cities will present its “Changing Attitudes” Change Maker Award to Melissa Lemke of St. Louis Park at its Annual Meeting May 6 at General Mills’ Conference Center.
Arc’s Change Maker Awards recognize individuals or organizations for making a difference for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They reflect Arc’s tag line, “Changing Attitudes. Changing Policies. Changing Lives.” The “Changing Attitudes” category recognizes those who positively change public perception of people with disabilities.
Lemke, an employee of Hammer Residences, is being honored for her efforts to address the isolation and loneliness that are common problems for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By reframing the issue as a broader health problem for people with disabilities, she helped others see the need to be proactive about building healthy community relationships. Her ideas and actions have not only made an important difference in quality of life for residents of a Hammer residence where she works, but also have benefits for the community at large.
Also receiving the “Changing Attitudes” Award are Sherry Gray of St. Paul and Nora Pliego of Minneapolis.
Arc Greater Twin Cities is a nonprofit agency serving the many needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Established in 1946, Arc has been changing attitudes, changing policies and changing lives for more than 60 years. Arc helps individuals and families address issues that span the lifetime, including early intervention, education, transition to adulthood, health care, housing, employment, guardianship and more. For more information and volunteer opportunities, call Arc at (952) 920-0855 or visit www.arcgreatertwincities.org.