DeafBlind Services Minnesota

07/03/2025

Want to plan for an exciting event this summer? Sign up for the ProTactile Cookout on Saturday, August 9th! Hosted by the Minnesota DeafBlind Association (MDBA).

For more information and to RSVP contact MDBA President Molly Peterson, at molly.peterson21@gmail.com.

Details and a visual description of the event flyer are below:

A colorful, illustrated flyer set in a sunny outdoor picnic scene. At the top, the bold title “PROTACTILE COOKOUT!” appears in large white letters against a bright blue sky. Decorative bunting flags in orange, red, and yellow hang under the title. The background features fluffy white clouds and green trees, creating a cheerful park-like setting.

The flyer is divided into clearly labeled sections:
• When: Saturday, August 9th, 2025
• Time: 10 AM – 8 PM (noting the team will set up earlier)
• Where: Hidden Falls Park and Recreation, 1313 Hidden Falls Dr, St. Paul, MN
• Cost: $20 per person; payment plan available
• Lunch Menu: Lists hamburgers, hot dogs, fruits, veggies, cookies from ILY by Tricio, and water
• RSVP by July 31st, 2025!
• What to Bring: Lawn chairs and games
• Special Feature: MDBA Banquet Committee fundraising with prizes.

At the bottom right, there's a red barbecue grill with kebabs cooking and mustard/ketchup bottles nearby. On the left, a cheeseburger, chips, and vegetables sit on a red-and-white gingham tablecloth. The phrase "We look forward to touching you there!" is prominently displayed at the bottom in red font.

• Theme: Cookout/Picnic
• Style: Illustrated, cheerful, family-friendly
• Color Palette: Blue sky, green grass, red picnic elements, warm food tones
• Typography: Bold sans-serif fonts, clear headings, friendly tone
• Visual Elements: Grill, burger, veggies, picnic tablecloth, bunting flags, clouds, trees.

12/12/2023

Our Annual Report is out!

11/06/2023

Give to the Max Day is only 10 days away! Early Giving is already underway.

To donate, visit the link below:

With your support, more Minnesotans will adapt, connect, and thrive.

10/19/2023

Board Member Recruitment!

Vision Loss Resources is recruiting board members to join our board of directors. VLR is innovative nonprofit, serving low vision, blind, and deafblind Minnesotans while at the same time operating a fully for-profit competitive packing company (Contract Production Services). We seek board members with experience in human resources, manufacturing, and sales to help guide our growth and who have a passion for serving fellow Minnesotans.

If interested, contact Matt Kramer at MattK@vlrw.org for more information.

09/26/2023

📣 Join MetroMobility for a Special In-Person Community Conversation! 🗣️

Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities (MetroMobility) is back with their first in-person gathering since 2020. Discuss MetroMobility, share ideas, and enhance your service experience. 🚐✨

📅 Oct. 17, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
📍 Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Pkwy. N, Saint Paul

Can't make it in person? They've got you covered with an online session on Oct. 25. Register today:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=i_a_3SpIc0WB4P74FWpP0IigbNrx6wxHtPCLg0dfCDRUNDNDNU9DRE04TVVWQjkwUzNCS05YR05GUS4u

Your feedback matters! Together, let's make MetroMobility even better. 🌟

Please join us on Oct. 17 for our first in-person community conversation since 2020. Or, if you prefer an online community conversation, we have you covered, too. We’ll gather to share experiences with Metro Mobility, including areas of concern, fresh new ideas, and strategies for i...

09/21/2023

Meet Kim Johnson! She is the Children, Youth and Family Services Manager at DeafBlind Services Minnesota. Check out what she has to say about her 8 years of experience!

🔹 How long have you been at VLR/DBSM?
"8 Years.”

🔹 What inspired you to work here?
"My first experience working with someone who was deafblind, was when I worked in a school. I loved learning about the intervener position. I wanted to do more, DBSM gave me the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing people.”

🔹 Favorite memory at VLR/DBSM?
"That's a hard question, I can't pick one. Memories of our annual Family and Intervener Appreciation Picnic with the MNDBP is at the top. I enjoy seeing everyone, meeting new families, and learning about new connections between families.”

🔹 Favorite sports team?
"Wisconsin sports all the way. My favorite is the Milwaukee Brewers.”

🔹 Favorite thing to do outside of work?
"Anything I can make or create. To relax, I like camping and gardening.”

🔹 If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
"I'd like to travel to National Parks and check off each state.”

🔹 What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?
"Believe in yourself and don't worry about what others think."

🔹 Do you have any pets?
"Yes, cat, dog, fish, and two enormous goats.”

🔹 If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
“Another tough question. Amelia Earhart. I'd like to know what drove her to find a way and believe she could fly and break records. I have no doubt she was told she couldn't do things, or it wouldn't work. Yet, she reminds me of someone who instead says, ‘why not?’”

09/11/2023

The Moms' Retreat is POSTPONED.

To help reschedule this event fill out the form in the link below:

Hello! We want to do our best to select a weekend for the Moms' Retreat that will allow the most number of moms to attend. Please select the weekend(s) below that would work best for you. Thank you!

09/01/2023

Stay in the loop! 📰

Did you catch our latest newsletter? 🗓️

We just rolled out our event calendar for September! Head over to our website now to see all the exciting things we have lined up. Don't miss out – be part of the action! 💥

https://visionlossresources.org/about/news/september-events/

Hello Vision Loss Resources Community! Here is what’s happening at VLR in September:   Virtual Support Group, Zoom Tuesday, September 5th at 1:00 pm   Virtual Mobile Technology, Zoom Tuesday, September 12th at 12:00 pm   Book Club Call 612-843-2594 ID 79521565 # The Doctors Blackwell by Janice N...

08/31/2023

🌟 Moms' Retreat!

If you're a mom of a child with deafblindness, aged from birth up to 22 (still on IEP), we've got an unforgettable weekend just for you, in partnership with Minnesota Deafblind Project. 🤝

Get ready to connect with fellow moms, explore essential resources, and dive into topics like 'Happiness and the Dignity of Risk', 'Charting the LifeCourse', and 'Fostering Joy'. Limited space available, so make sure to secure your spot by September 4th. Let's learn, share, and uplift each other! 💪

To register, and for more information, visit the link below!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/momsretreat

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

08/24/2023

Did you know that you can now buy LEGO Braille bricks?! Check it out:

Ahead of World Blind Awareness Month this October and in response to global demand, the LEGO Group announces LEGO® braille bricks are available to purchase

08/18/2023

Meet Matthew Priebe, our Adult Community Services Manager at DBSM! 🌟 Since joining in 2018, Matthew's passion for social services and dedication to the Deafblind community have made a lasting impact. From leading a remarkable team to hosting memorable events, he's a driving force at DBSM/VLR. 🙌

🔹 How long have you been at VLR?
"Since 2018."

🔹 What inspired you to work here?
"My experiences in social services and leading a team of staff, working with Deafblind people, and my passion for this field all came together to find a great home at DBSM/VLR."

🔹 Favorite memory at VLR?
"Hosting and joining in fun events for the Deafblind community such as Thanksgiving and Winter Party."

🔹 Favorite sports teams or movie or podcast or band?
"The Hobbit and Harry Potter movies are some of my favorites."

🔹 Favorite thing to do outside of work?
"I enjoy going up to the North Shore, cooking, and spending time with family."

🔹 If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
"I hope to travel to Yosemite National Park someday."

🔹 What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?
"Don’t say 'I can’t do it,' instead ask 'how could I do it?'"

08/16/2023

Every two weeks, the DBSM team at Vision Loss Resources hosts a captivating beading class for our incredible students with deafblindness.