Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc.

06/05/2026

📰 Our June Newsletter is here!

Inside you’ll find:

⭐ Finding a Way Forward featuring Robert Hulst
💙 2026 Appreciation Luncheon Thank-You
🏆 2026 Award Recipients
👋 Meet Our New Board Member

And a special piece remembering our former Executive Director, Nate Aalgaard.

Check it out now and stay connected with what’s happening at Freedom Resource Center. The newsletter link is in the comments!

What is something you look forward to in our newsletters or would like to see more of? Comment below.

06/04/2026

Our next highlight is the 2026 Advocate of the Year recipient, Giselle Ishimwe of A Place to Call Home.

Giselle is a Qualified Service Provider (QSP), a licensed RN, and the CEO of A Place to Call Home. Through her work, she provides housing and support for individuals with disabilities who require high levels of care and supervision.

Giselle has built a reputation for welcoming individuals who often face the greatest barriers to placement, including those with complex behavioral needs, limited income, or long histories of institutionalization. Rather than turning these individuals away, she works tirelessly to create safe, stable, and supportive environments where they can thrive.

Her nomination highlighted the many ways she goes above and beyond for the people she serves. From helping individuals successfully transition into community living to advocating for their personal needs and dignity, Giselle consistently demonstrates compassion, patience, and dedication. She has even used her own time and resources to ensure individuals have opportunities for connection, independence, and meaningful participation in their communities.

Through her advocacy and commitment to person-centered support, Giselle has helped individuals experience stability, belonging, and the opportunity to truly have a place to call home.

We are honored to recognize Giselle for her outstanding advocacy and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities.

Please join us in congratulating Giselle on receiving the 2026 Advocate of the Year Award! 🎉

06/02/2026

🏆 2026 Award Winner Highlights 🏆

We are excited to highlight our 2026 Appreciation Luncheon award winners, recognizing individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact in the lives of people with disabilities. ✨

Our first highlight is the 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Ryan Thorson from Lighthouse Recovery Services.

Ryan has worked at Lighthouse for 7 years and has served in multiple roles, including Peer Support and Care Coordinator, working closely with individuals navigating addiction, mental health, and physical health challenges. He is consistently present and ready to support anyone who enters their community and needs extra assistance.

Through his work, Ryan has helped individuals obtain their driver’s licenses, secure housing, and achieve and maintain recovery. He also plays a key role in connecting individuals to community services that promote independence and stability.

His nomination shared that Ryan’s work has created a ripple effect throughout the community, helping reduce homelessness and joblessness while strengthening connection, belonging, and overall quality of life.

We are honored to recognize Ryan for his outstanding commitment to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and for his dedication to building a stronger, more supportive community. 💙

Please join us in congratulating Ryan on receiving the 2026 Distinguished Service Award! 🎉

05/26/2026

🏆 Introducing the Nate Aalgaard Accessibility Award 🏆

At our 2026 Appreciation Luncheon, we were honored to share something especially meaningful with our community-- the renaming of the Accessibility Award to the Nate Aalgaard Accessibility Award. ✨

This award honors the legacy of Nate Aalgaard, who served as Executive Director of Freedom Resource Center for 26 years. After surviving a life-altering car accident in 1977, Nate experienced firsthand the barriers that people with disabilities face and dedicated his life to breaking those barriers down. His work centered on accessibility, dignity, and systems change so that others would not face the same challenges he did.

Nate’s leadership and advocacy reached far beyond our organization, including his attendance at the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, one of his proudest moments. He believed deeply in the value of every person, often saying, “I do not consider my disability a tragedy, nor do I consider my life one bit less full and meaningful.” 💙

During the luncheon, we also unveiled memorial plaques honoring Nate’s legacy. Each of our offices will display a plaque as a lasting reminder of his impact and the foundation he built. A special plaque was also presented to his mother as a tribute to Nate’s life, leadership, and the lasting difference he made at Freedom Resource Center and beyond. 🤍

Nate’s presence continues to be felt in the work we do every day in how we welcome people, how we advocate, and how we continue striving toward a more accessible world.

We are proud to honor his legacy through this award and to ensure his impact continues to guide our mission forward. 🌟

05/22/2026

Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in honor of Memorial Day.
We’ll reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Wishing you a peaceful day of remembrance and reflection. 💙🕊️

05/20/2026

We are proud to recognize Irina for 10 years of dedicated service with Freedom Resource Center.

Irina’s commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities, along with her compassion and consistency, has strengthened both our team and the community we serve.

We are truly grateful for her years of service, her dedication to our mission, and the difference she continues to make every day. Please join us in congratulating Irina on 10 years with Freedom Resource Center!

05/19/2026

05/18/2026

💙 Thank You for an Incredible day 💙

Our 2026 Appreciation Luncheon was a wonderful celebration of the individuals, organizations, and businesses making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

We are so grateful to everyone who attended, supported, sponsored, and donated to help make this event possible. Because of you, we are able to continue empowering individuals to live more independently and stay connected to their communities.

It was an honor to recognize this year’s award recipients and celebrate the impact happening every day across our community.

We’ll be sharing more photos and highlights soon, stay tuned!

05/13/2026