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Courageous Stories

Highlighting community stories of courage, strength and resiliency

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Wilder volunteer Ron Dexter with Ron Dexter with Catherine Engstrom and Mona Walden-Frey of Wilder Caregiver Services.

Caregiver Services Volunteer Ron Dexter: ‘I’m Giving of My Gifts’

If a caregiver wants to talk, Ron Dexter is ready to listen. Ron is a Wilder volunteer who calls people connected with Wilder Caregiver Services to ask how they are doing. These check-in calls help Caregiver Services reach caregivers whose needs have changed, and they can often serve as a morale boost for people who are caring for family… Read this story »
Margaret Lewis created a charitable bequest at Wilder that will become the Margaret E. Lewis Fund for Children

Margaret Lewis: The Children Are Her Legacy

Margaret Lewis directly influenced more than 2,500 children during a career at Wilder that spanned almost three decades. By including Wilder in her estate plan, Margaret could now influence thousands more. Margaret, who passed away at 96 in December 2017, created a charitable bequest that will become the Margaret E. Lewis Fund for… Read this story »
Eh Tha Blay Soe, an alumna of Wilder's Youth Leadership Initiative and a Wilder donor

Eh Tha Blay Soe: ‘Because of YLI, I Can Be More Myself’

When Eh Tha Blay Soe started high school, she felt shy and avoided public speaking. Then she joined the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), a multicultural leadership program at Wilder where youth strengthen their self-awareness, hone their leadership skills, and put those skills into action in the community. Read this story »
William Moore, participant in doula training by a partner of Wilder's African American Babies Coalition and Projects

With African American Babies Coalition and Projects, Support Begins Before Birth

William Moore is a health educator for Ramsey County Public Health, a semi-pro football player, an artist, and a comic book fan. He’s also a doula. Read this story »
A multi-year Wilder Research project with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) helping to inform systems change

Identifying Service Gaps to Improve Lives and Communities: Minnesota Department of Human Services Gaps Analysis

The ultimate goal of any research or evaluation project is to inform action. A multi-year Wilder Research project with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is informing systems changes to meet the needs of some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents. Read this story »
Wilder Community Mental Health and Wellness uses a new model that offers comprehensive integrated services.

A Plan for Recovery: Wilder Promotes Healing with Comprehensive Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Ethan’s priorities are spelled out in neat script in a paper planner. As a first-year college student, he makes time each week to balance his classes and other activities and interests. His to-do list includes pursuing work-study jobs. Read this story »
Mary Chazen is a participant in Wilder's Family Independence Initiative-Twin Cities,

The Family Independence Initiative Invests in the Strength of Low-Income Communities: ‘We Are the Ones Making the Change’

Mary Chazen was ready. Nearly two years after joining the Family Independence Initiative Twin Cities, Mary had begun recruiting new families to join the movement. Read this story »
Sheila Wood, Twin Cities Mobile Market volunteer

The Power of Twin Cities Mobile Market Volunteers

Volunteers like Sheila Wood and Harrison Pack make the wheels go round at the Twin Cities Mobile Market. Read this story »