Frank and Maureen's Made In The Shade Page

Wingspan started with 30 women who lived in an old convent on 22nd and Clinton in Minneapolis, back in 1970. Catholic Charities agreed to take on this little home and named it St. Ann's. It was licensed as an ICF-MR and helped these women grow happier, healthier and safer in their lives.

In the years between then and now, we separated from Catholic charities, were re-named Wingspan, and have grown to support 118 developmentally disabled and/or mentally ill men and women in 24 small homes throughout the metro. We also serve 60 Hmong elders in a day program in St. Paul, Tsev Laus Kaj Siab.

Among the many stories, one of my favorites is this: A man very miserable, hostile and hopelessly mentally ill came to us from a nursing home, and when he left, the staff commented "good riddance!" At Wingspan he grew to be happy, vibrant and ultimately beloved by everyone who knew him. What happened? As his house coordinator put it to her staff, "We have to find Gerald. This is not Gerald." And so they did, with help from a great doctor, a psychiatrist and an intense love and commitment for the duration. When he died, we could honestly look back and think, What a great life he had these last 15 years.

Multiply that story 118 times and you have Wingspan.