“Connections of Moorhead is the bridge that connects people with disabilities to a meaningful life,” explains Ronda Blake. As the director of operations for the past six years, Blake is responsible for a variety of functions from transportation to training for those individuals who need extra assistance. In addition to being certified in supervision and management, Blake graduated from MSUM with a degree in social work. Her previous work experience includes the Job Service in the Welfare-to-Work Program. “My social work education has been an important foundation in helping people to cross that bridge to the other side.”
Originally from West Fargo, her family moved to Sioux Falls, SD in her freshman year where she completed high school. However, the lure of the Red River Valley was too strong and she returned for college. Blake was a single mom for nine years and understands the challenges that it presents. She put her career on hold to raise three children. However, building a community has always been important to her, as she was instrumental in organizing a social group for other stay-at-home moms.
Social work and helping others has always been natural for Blake. As the oldest of five children, she learned the art of negotiating and helping others from a young age. Her younger sister was born without a hand, so Blake often traveled with her family to the Shriners Children’s Hospital for her sister to be fitted for a prosthetic arm. However, her sister was very independent and learned to function without it. “My sister and the other kids at the hospital were amazing. They were able to accomplish so much with their positive attitudes.”
Those experiences led Blake to establish a collaborative event in the FM area called The Assistive Technology Expo. Vendors and speakers were invited to increase awareness of the ever-evolving field of technology for people with disabilities. Her efforts and leadership were acknowledged in 2005 with the Advocate of the Year award from the Metro Area Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities.
Blake appreciates the Connections of Moorhead and the opportunity to assist people with disabilities to lead independent and productive lives. Many people with disabilities need extra support in their daily lives. Connections of Moorhead provides that support by teaching independent living skills, assisting with employment needs, and helping people access available community resources. Connections has been providing quality services for adults with disabilities living in Clay County for over 42 years. The need is great as one out of every fifteen adults between the ages of 21 to 64 living in Clay County has a disability. The agency employees 110 direct support professionals, fulfilling the mission of supporting people with disabilities throughout the community.
Even though there are over 15 agencies in Moorhead providing services to people with disabilities, Blake emphasized that Connections is the only organization that provides both residential and vocational services, which allows for continuity of care. She shared that Connections received their second consecutive Three-Year Accreditation from the international accrediting body of the Commission on Accreditation Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The programs that have been accredited are Community Employment Services and Job Development and Employment Supports. Another feature that Blake shared is that Connections uses customized employment to find jobs for their clients. She added that all of their participants work in the community.
Blake emphasized that everyone including those with disabilities can achieve their own level of independence and happiness if they are given creative solutions, appropriate tools, and positive support. She shared that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and encourages all businesses to review the website for more information and contact her with questions: she has the answers! http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/index-2014.htm.
Ronda Blake
Director of Operations
Connections of Moorhead
810 4th Avenue South, Suite 156
Moorhead, MN 56560
218 233-8657, Ext. 40
rblake@connectionsofmoorhead.org
