Brightwater Health

05/29/2026

We are wishing our Team Members - Brad & Caleb - strength and determination on their participation in Ruck Life tomorrow! Both are rucking in honor of 23rd Veteran and Brightwater Health. We are proud of you!

05/28/2026

Brightwater Health is so fortunate to have Charity Runners running in this year's Grandma's Marathon - Duluth, Inc. - each raising funds for our mission, promoting mental health and reducing stigma - one step at a time.

Each runner has their own story on WHY they are in the marathon for mental health...

Meet our own Team Member, Meg -
"I have run in some way, shape or form my whole life. Through athletics in high school & college to running to keep myself sane in adulthood.

I’m back for the half marathon and I’m running with a new purpose: supporting the work I do every day in early childhood mental health through Brightwater Health. I see how much families want to give their kids safety, stability, and healing & and how many barriers stand in the way. The need is huge, and the impact of early support is even bigger.

So every mile I run this year is for the kids learning to feel safe, the parents doing their best, and the families who deserve more resources than they have.

If you’re able to donate, it genuinely helps Brightwater Health provide services that change lives. Thank you for supporting me, our agency, my miles, and the families we serve."

Meg is getting married in August to Brad (who was featured on our page earlier this week). This couple is highly competitive, ESPECIALLY MEG! They are competing against each other to raise more money on their runner fundraising page. Both Meg & Brad are employees here at Brightwater and our staff has now been divided in 'Team Meg' vs 'Team Brad'.

Join in the race by donating to 'Team Meg' today: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/109310/2026-grandmas-marathon-weekend-races/pledge/participant/40520889

05/27/2026

June 1st marks Nancy's last day at Brightwater Health, and we want to take a moment to recognize what 40 years of service actually means.

Forty years. That's not a career — that's a calling. Nancy has been the steady hand behind our Health Information Services through every system change, every regulatory shift, every new face that walked through our doors. She has touched the work of every program and every provider here, often in ways none of us ever saw.

Nancy never sought the spotlight. But when the team needed someone to step up, she did — every single time. That tells you everything you need to know about who she is.

Very few people give four decades of their professional life to one organization. When someone does, it tells you something about their character — their loyalty, their quiet pride in doing essential work well, and their deep commitment to the people we serve.

Nancy, on behalf of the entire Brightwater Health family — thank you. We are better because you were here.

05/26/2026

Brightwater Health is so fortunate to have Charity Runners running in this year's Grandma's Marathon - Duluth, Inc. - each raising funds for our mission, promoting mental health and reducing stigma - one step at a time.

Each runner has their own story on WHY they are in the marathon for mental health...

Meet our own Team Member, Brad -

"Running means a lot to me.
I've spent a lot of time running - running from problems or running to poorly chosen solutions.

Eventually I sought a solution through chemical dependency treatment, at Brightwater Health. Since then, I've done a bit more running - I've run roads, sidewalks, and trails, and I've found running gives me a sense of calm that doesn't come too easily.

Today, I'm in a place where I can run Grandma's Marathon and help to raise money to support the programs that helped me when I was at my worst."

Brad's personal story is one that Brightwater Health shares often. He has overcome so much in his journey of recovery. We are so proud of him for so many things, but to see how running has become a large part of his strength - we are grateful he runs for himself and in awareness for Brightwater Health's life-changing services.

Brad is getting married in August to Meg!
This couple is highly competitive. They are competing against each other to raise more money on their runner fundraising page. Both Brad & Meg are employees here at Brightwater and our staff has now been divided in 'Team Brad' vs 'Team Meg'.

Join in the race by donating to 'Team Brad' today: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/109310/2026-grandmas-marathon-weekend-races/pledge/participant/40608662

05/26/2026

Incredibly grateful for this partnership with Members Cooperative Credit Union. So much on the horizon...

Our $1 million commitment starts with impact. We’re honored to present Brightwater Health with a $100,000 donation to help strengthen access to essential mental health services across the Northland as part of our Project Horizon initiative.

We know this partnership will help drive lasting, positive change across our communities. 💛

To read the whole story, visit: https://www.howiehanson.com/howie-174/?ref=howie-hanson-newsletter

05/25/2026

Brightwater Health will be closed today in honor of Memorial Day. We wish everyone a meaningful day of peace and remembrance.

Mobile Crisis Response & Yellow Leaf Support Center open 24/7 | Call 844.772.4724

05/24/2026

Reminder: Take some time for yourself today.

05/22/2026

Tonight is the night -

Pints For A Cause at Castle Danger Brewery from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
Join us for fundraising for community mental health in every pint, try a bright special Brightwater brew (Australian Sparkling Ale), enjoy LIVE MUSIC and Bob-B-Q Food Truck.
Meet our team, learn more about our services and enjoy a beautiful evening in Two Harbors.

We are excited to cheers with you!
Photo by: Castle Danger Brewery

05/20/2026

Today marks 1 x month until Grandma's Marathon!

Brightwater Health is so fortunate to have 'Charity Runners' running in this year's race - each raising funds for our mission, promoting mental health and reducing stigma - one step at a time.

Each runner has their own story on WHY they are in the marathon for mental health...

Meet Christy.

Christy is running Grandma’s Half Marathon in memory of her mom, alongside her daughter Brynn. Together they are "running for Grandma, at Grandma’s".

Christy stated to us when she signed up to run, " I have held onto the word Hope, since my mom passed, a word she sends me all the time in different ways".

"This picture means a lot to me. I grew up visiting the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island when visiting mom's family every summer in Detroit. There's a picture of me, my sister, my mom, and dad on this very porch when I was maybe 7 or 8."

"My husband and I decided to fork out the money to stay there for one night on our way home from her extended family funeral in Detroit last summer because it meant so much to me. When my husband put on his tux this day, he felt something in his pocket - it was my mom's funeral packet from her funeral here in Minnesota we had prior - he hadn't worn the tux to that funeral!"

"Before dinner, we decided to take the very same photo (with grandma) on the front porch."

You can cheer on Christy by donating to her personal story:
https://raceroster.com/events/2026/109310/2026-grandmas-marathon-weekend-races/pledge/participant/40505084

05/19/2026

Now more than ever following the recent wildfires - let's support our Two Harbors & North Shore Communities by showing up for them at their area businesses.

Stop by on Friday to our Pints For A Cause event with Castle Danger Brewery with your friends, family and furry friends, too!

6:00pm - 8:00pm | Serving a special brew: Australian Sparking Ale, Live Music & Food Truck
Meet our team, learn about our family programs and services, enter for giveaways & more.

The taproom is family friendly and we can't wait to see you there!
Photo Credit: Castle Danger Brewery