Nexus-Gerard Family Healing

04/29/2026

Today Lorna Lauinger from Wagon Wheels HUB presented to our therapists about Equine Therapy and how it could benefit our youth. We are always looking for more ways to reach the youth in our care and help them to heal and learn. Equine therapy is known to provide a sense of well-being and improved self-confidence. It also improves emotional control and self-discipline. Thank you, Lorna, for this informative presentation.

04/22/2026

Happy Administrative Assistants Day! Melissa, Brandi, Jasmine, Tina, MariAnne, Keshell, and Amber are the best of the best and we could not do it without them! Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to the youth, families and staff of Nexus Family Healing! We appreciate you all!

04/06/2026

We are proud to recognize Kaylee Mattice for her outstanding demonstration of our ICARE values and her positive impact on both colleagues and those we serve. Kaylee consistently demonstrates our core values through innovation, compassion, and agility. She brings forward‑thinking solutions that improve outcomes while fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where others feel heard and valued. Kaylee’s responsiveness and excellent work set a strong example and make her highly deserving of this recognition.

Congratulations, Kaylee!

If you would like to learn more about Nexus Family Healing, please visit the website: https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/

04/02/2026

Rain or shine, on Thursdays you’ll find Amanda Hanson, Clinical Supervisor of the Villa dorm, delivering meals to seniors through Hot Meals On Wheels of Austin MN. Our team’s care extends beyond the youth and families we serve to the entire Austin community. Thank you, Amanda, for your dedication and heart for our neighbors!

To learn more about Nexus Family Healing please visit the website: https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/

03/30/2026

A glimmer of change can make a lifelong difference.
Marcia Bannister’s dedication to helping children heal and reunite with their families is shining a light on what’s possible at Nexus‑Gerard Family Healing. Proud to see this powerful story featured in the Austin Daily Herald's Austin Living Magazine. Read the full story here:

Marcia Bannister helping guide children from Nexus-Gerard Family Healing back home

03/27/2026

Our Wellness Committee recently hosted a food drive, and our amazing staff came together to donate several pounds of food and hygiene products to the Austin Packer Pantry & Clothing Closet. We believe we all need to come together and do what we can to support those in need, and giving back is one small way to say thank you for the incredible support we receive from the Austin community. Pictured is Angie Vietor, Staff Accountant, helping deliver the donated items to Austin High School.

To learn more about Nexus-Gerard Family Healing, or to join our team, please visit our website: https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/nexus-gerard-family-healing

03/23/2026

At Nexus Gerard Family Healing, being trauma informed isn’t just a goal-it’s who we are.
At the heart of our approach is Empowering Restorative Engagement (ERE)-a model that looks beyond behavior to understand the why behind it. By partnering with youth and their families, we focus on connection, accountability, and healing- not punishment.
Watch this video to learn more about how Empowering Restorative Engagement guides the work we do every day and helps create a truly healing environment.

To learn more about Nexus-Gerard Family Healing, please visit our website: https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/nexus-gerard-family-healing

03/18/2026

This week at the 70th Annual Association Of Children's Residential Centers Conference in Chicago, two Nexus‑Gerard Family Healing team members shared their expertise and passion with professionals from across the country.
Emily Hagen, Clinical Supervisor, presented on grief-informed leadership, exploring how personal and collective grief shows up in the workplace -and how leaders can respond with empathy, flexibility, and support while sustaining connection and productivity.
Joanna Dye, Parent Partner, served on a panel focused on affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth, using lived experience and storytelling to reduce stigma, strengthen families, and inspire more inclusive, life‑changing practices.
We’re proud of Emily and Joanna for representing Nexus‑Gerard Family Healing and for sharing their knowledge in ways that help build healthier workplaces, stronger families, and trauma-informed systems of care.

To learn more about Nexus-Gerard Family Healing, please visit our website: https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/nexus-gerard-family-healing

03/16/2026

Before our staff ever work directly with the youth, they complete extensive, hands‑on training designed to keep our youth safe, supported, and respected every step of the way.
Our newest team members recently completed New Employee Orientation, which includes training in:
• Boundaries & professionalism
• Supervision of high‑risk youth
• Empowering Restorative Engagement & brain development
• Verbal & foundational de‑escalation
• Mental health disorders
• Self‑defense & safety skills
• Working with LGBTQ+ youth
• Cultural diversity & family engagement
• Mandated reporting & HIPAA
• CPR, First Aid, Narcan & AED
This training is just the beginning—ongoing learning and supervision are part of our commitment to providing trauma‑informed, compassionate, and professional care every day.

Pictured here: Our newest staff cohort, ready to support the youth and families we serve, being introduced to some of the team.

To learn more about Nexus-Gerard Family Healing, or to join our team, please visit our website: https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/nexus-gerard-family-healing

03/12/2026

Wow! What a turn out for the Community Connect event at Riverland Community College going on now until 6pm tonight. Come on down and talk to our Outpatient Program Director, Rochelle about our services, and meet our newest Therapist Intern, Hyrum!

03/09/2026

Congratulations Employee of the Month, Mackenzie Hanson!
Kenzie continues to shine on our team through her creativity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to youth. She’s always exploring new ways to support the youth, brings genuine empathy to every interaction, and stays steady and flexible even on the toughest days. Her clear communication, reliability, and high standards inspire everyone around her.
Thank you, Kenzie, for your innovation, compassion, agility, responsiveness and excellence. We’re so grateful to have you on our team!

03/06/2026

It is National Employee Appreciation Day! Yesterday we had our Annual All-Staff Appreciation Luncheon and Program where the winners of our most prestigious annual awards were announced. There are no words for how much our staff are appreciated for their hard work and dedication to the youth and families that we have the privilege to serve. We are extremely grateful! To see who the winners of the Ambassador and Board of Excellence Awards are, please check out the video below.

To learn more about Nexus-Gerard Family Healing, please visit our website: https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/