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You
may contact any of the people listed below who will respond to you
directly
or refer you to the appropriate person. All have voice mail so you may
phone
24 hours a day. Our aim is to help people with special needs find
the assistance
they need. If the service you desire is unavailable from us,
we may be able
to refer you to others who can provide it.
JEFF
PEDERSON
PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FARGO,
GRAFTON, PARK RIVER, CAVALIER
(701)
235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me
| I
have been President and CEO of Friendship, Inc. since 1993. I graduated with honors
from Valley City State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Administration. Prior to joining Friendship, Inc. I was employed at the State
Developmental
Center in Grafton as Director of Administration. My
main focus as President/CEO of Friendship is to provide the highest quality services
to the people we support. Friendship, Inc. recently received a four-year accreditation
from The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People with Disabilities.
A four-year accreditation carries with it the acknowledgment of accreditation
with distinction in the area of quality service to people
with developmental
disabilities. My emphasis on participatory managers and servant leadership has
transitioned the organization into living out its Core Values of Reverence, Integrity,
Compassion and Excellence. I
currently serve on the North Dakota Association of Community Facilities’
Board of Directors, North Dakota’s Long Term Cares Assisted Living Committee,
and numerous other local Boards and Committees. | Back
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DON BRUNETTE
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
FARGO,
GRAFTON, PARK RIVER, CAVALIER
(701)
235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me I
have been employed at Friendship, Inc. since 1987. I am currently the Chief Operating
Officer
overseeing the licensing, accreditation and all programmatic operations
in Fargo, Grafton and Park
River. I began my career job coaching part time
and providing direct service in one of the Fargo
group homes. I was then
the Director of Supported Employment for eight years. I have devoted the
majority of my career at Friendship, Inc. developing community-based employment
opportunities for
people with disabilities. Throughout
my career I have pursued volunteer opportunities to serve on boards and committees
which
have provided valuable educational and networking opportunities on
local, regional and national levels.
I have served as past Chair of the Fargo
Mayor’s Committee on the Employment Of People With
Disabilities, President
of the North Dakota Association For Persons In Supported Employment, and
most recently as Delegate for the National Association For Persons In Supported
Employment for the
states of Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico and North Dakota. Back
to Top
DAVE KEELER
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
FARGO,
GRAFTON, PARK RIVER, CAVALIER
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me
As
Chief Financial Officer of Friendship, Inc., I am responsible for oversight of
financial functions.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the
University of South Dakota and I am a Certified Public
Accountant. Prior
to joining Friendship, Inc. in 1987, I worked for the Provider Audit Unit of the
North
Dakota Department of Human Services. Back
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JUDY CREWS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY OFFICER
FARGO, GRAFTON, PARK RIVER, CAVALIER
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me
I am the Director of Human Resources for Friendship, Inc. I have been with the
company since
1984. Prior to joining Friendship, I was employed by the telephone
company for 13 years. I attended
Fergus Falls Community College and Billings
Business College in Billings, MT. My first job with Friendship
was as a part-time
typist. I have held a number of positions within the company.
My
hobbies include reading, scrapbooking, being at the lake (or the ocean), and just
relaxing. I have a
wonderful family, great co-workers and lots of neat friends.
I am blessed!! Back
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HELAINE ARNOLD
MISSION LEADER
COORDINATOR OF PASTORAL SERVICES
(701)
235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me | Helaine
Arnold came to Friendship, Inc. in July of 1986 becoming the Coordinator of Spiritual
Services. Over the course of her years at Friendship, Inc., Helaine has provided
a Bible Study for people with intellectual developmental disabilities, advocated
for greater physical and attitudinal accessibility in our churces and facilitated
the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the congregation of
their choice. Helaine assists staff in understanding how the spiritual dimension
of our lives affects all of us, including people with intellectual developmental
disabilities. In the course of her ministry at Friendship, a spirituality assessment
has been developed for the people we serve and is used at each IPP. Helaine also
offers classes to assist staff and the people we serve to grow in the understanding
of death and the grief process. Helaine also assists staff in ministering to each
person served when they encounter grief through the loss of a loved one or friend.
Helaine meets every new person hired at Friendship, Inc. introducing them to Friendship,
Inc.'s history, mission, corporate culture and core values. Prior
to coming to Friendship, Inc., Helaine was in elementary education for almost
twenty years being both a teacher and a principal in parochial schools throughout
North Dakota and for three years in Minnesota. | Back
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RENAE HOWE
ADMINISTRATOR/QMRP
FARGO
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me
I
have enjoyed my service with Friendship, Inc. since 1985. I have held various
positions within the
residential programs prior to my current position as
Administrator/QMRP. I graduated from North
Dakota State University in 1984
with a BS degree in Home Economics Education. Back
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JON
OPGRAND
ADMINISTRATOR/QMRP
FARGO
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701)
235-7538
| I first started working for Friendship,
Inc. in 1995. Prior to Friendship I graduated from Jamestown College with a BA
in psychology and worked at the Anne Carlsen Center for Children. I truly enjoy
my work here at Friendship, Inc. through its Corporate Culture and positive working
environment.
When not at work I enjoy camping, hiking, snow shoeing,
cross-country skiing, spending time with my wife and son and working on old cars.
E-mail
me | Back
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KATHY GRZADZIELEWSKI
ADMINISTRATOR/QMRP
GRAFTON, PARK RIVER
(701)
352-0060 FAX (701) 352-0371
E-mail
me
I joined Friendship, Inc. in July of 2002. I have a Masters of Education degree
with certifications in
Elementary/Early Childhood/Special Education and Visual
Impairments. I was previously a QMRP for
the Developmental Center in Grafton
for four years and was an Early Interventionist for Northeast
Human Services
Center for seven years. As Administrator I oversee Park River group homes. Back
to Top
CARRIE
BALSTER
DIRECTOR OF FAMILY and COMMUNITY LIVING
FARGO
(701) 235-8217
FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me
I
am responsible for the operation of the Individualized Supported Living Arrangement
(ISLA) and
Family Support Services (FSS).
I have held this position with Friendship since 1989. I have an extensive
background in the field of education, holding a double major in both Special Education
and Elementary
Education. Prior to my employment at Friendship, Inc. I taught
three years in a Special Education and
Gifted classroom. I am a strong advocate
for people with disabilities and believe in empowering people
to live their
life to the fullest. Back
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MONA STICHA
DIRECTOR OF FAMILY and COMMUNITY LIVING
GRAFTON
(701)
352-0060 FAX (701) 352-0371
E-mail
me
I grew up
on a small grain/cattle farm in eastern North Dakota. Upon graduating from high
school,
I attended Aaker’s Business College in Grand Forks, ND. I worked
for a local insurance company for
2 years. My husband and I then co-owned
and operated a business for 6 years. In June of 1986 I
began employment with
Friendship Inc. as a part time employee working direct care. I worked in
various positions within our organization and became the Director of Family and
Community Living on
December 26, 1999, which includes FSS, ISLA, & MSLA.
In my leisure time I enjoy gardening,
camping, horseback riding, hunting
and spending time with my family.
Back
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KARLA ZIMMERMAN
LEAD INTERNAL CASE MANAGER
FARGO and GRAFTON
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701)
235-7538
E-mail
me
I
started employment with Friendship, Inc. in 1999 as a Program Coordinator working
with
people with developmental disabilities in their homes. I then became
an Internal Case Manager
utilizing my Bachelor of Social Work degree and
my license in Social Work. I provide Internal Case
Management support to
the people we serve. Starting April 2003 I became the HIPAA
Privacy
Official for Villa Nazareth.
Back
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DORI
LESLIE
DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONAL SERVICES & QUALITY ASSURANCE
FARGO
and GRAFTON
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me I
have been employed at Friendship, Inc. since 1997. I am currently the Director
of Vocational Services,
overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Fargo
and Grafton vocational programs. I started my
employment with Friendship,
Inc. in the role of Program Supervisor for vocational services. Within two
years, I was promoted to Program Manager of one of Friendship's group homes, 2424.
I was there for
almost four years and am now the Director of Vocational Services.
I graduated with an Associate of Arts
degree from North Dakota State College
of Science and with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical
Education with
an emphasis of special education from Bemidji State University. I also obtained
my
coaching license and completed the first three courses in becoming an
American Sign Language
interpreter. I started in the field of developmental
disabilities in 1991 working first for Red River
Human Services in Wahpeton
and then for Rem-North Star in Bemidji.
The
focus our vocational program is to help people with disabilities find employment
in the community.
We strive to individualize jobs for every person and help
them overcome the barriers that we face
every day. Some of the businesses
that people in our program currently work for are the Red Lobster,
Hardees,
Olive Garden, Riverview Place, Dollar Sense, Subway, Nativity Church, First United
Bank and
Minn-Kota Recycling. While people are working on getting a job in
the community, we also work on
in-house contracts for other businesses. We
make greeting cards, personalized note pads, and do sorting,
stapling, collating
of papers from other agencies and curb side recycling in the Grafton area.
If you wish to hear more about our vocational
services or want to place an order, click
here. Back
to Top 
BRENDA MAJERUS
DIRECTOR OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT
FARGO, GRAFTON and CAVALIER
(701) 235-8217
FAX (701) 235-7538
E-mail
me
| I have been employed
at Friendship, Inc. since 2000. I started as an Employment Specialist and currently
am the Director of Supported Employment in Fargo and Grafton. I
started my career in 1986 at Clay County Diversified Services in Moorhead, MN
as a Program Aide and also worked as a Job Coach. Later, I became a Job Developer
for Connections in Moorhead, MN. I have lived my entire life in the Fargo-Moorhead
area and have been in the human service filed for over 21 years. I am a strong
advocate for people with disabilities. In 1998, I received the MNDACA Distinguished
Service Award. I am also a member of the Fargo Mayor's Committee on the Employment
of People with Disabilities. In 2003, I was nominated as an honoree for YWCA Woman
of the Year and received the APSE Best of the Best Outstanding Professional of
the Year Award in May 2007. The
focus of our Supported Employment Program at Friendship, Inc. is to assist people
with disabilities to gain successful employment in community-based jobs of their
choice. We currently work with over forty businesses in the Fargo, Cavalier, and
Grafton area that give back to their communities by hiring people with disabilities.
We have individuals that own and operate thier own business. We provide the tools
necessary to make employment successful for the people we serve and the employers
who employ them. If you wish to hear
more about our Supported Employment/Extended Services click
here. Back
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| | 
STEPHANIE
ANDVIK
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
FARGO, GRAFTON, PARK RIVER, CAVALIER
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538 E-mail
me | I
graduated from Minnesota State University of Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Health Services Administration. I have been working with individuals
with developmental disabilities since 2002 in various settings.
As the
Development Director I create awareness of Friendship Inc.'s needs through coordinating
fundraising events and campaigns, completing grant applications, and participating
in community activities. Friendship Inc. has a number of great opportunities to
support our mission of providing creative and innovative supports to people we
serve, which are not reimbursable from state and federal funds. Donations made
to Friendship, Inc. provide the individuals we serve with entrepreneurial opportunities,
rent subsidies, accessible supports, adaptive equipment, i.e. hearing aids, braces,
etc. and much more! My hobbies include,
volleyball, kayaking, skiing and also enjoying the company of great family and
friends. I believe Friendship's mission and core values are key to making our
organization unique and I am proud to be a part of it.
|
|
If you wish to learn
more about our 10,000 Friends program click here.
Back
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| | | |
ERIN
KNUTSON
ADMINISTRATOR/QMRP
FARGO
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701) 235-7538 E-mail
me |
| While attending North Dakota State
University in 2001, Erin Knutson started working at Friendship, Inc. as a direct
care staff in a residential setting. Within a year of employment she was promoted
to a supervisor position. Her strong organizational skills and compassionate heart
stood out and brought her to the position of group home manager. She played a
pivotal role in the closure of one of Friendship's group homes before moving into
her current position of Administrator/QMRP for MSLA. In October 2006, Erin was
presented with the Professional of the Year award from the Arc of Cass County.
With tears in her eyes, she accepted the award from a person she supports that
she had bonded with from the start of her employment at Friendship. |
Back
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| | | |
JENNIFER
JENKINS
ADMINISTRATOR/QMRP
GRAFTON, PARK RIVER, CAVALIER
(701) 352-0060
FAX (701) 352-0371
E-mail
me
| | |
| Hi! I am Jennifer Jenkins and I started
with Friendship in September of 2007. I am glad to be a part of such a wonderful
team of people. I am the QMRP/Administrator for 412 in Grafton and I support a
caseload of people living in their family homes. I graduated in 1996 from the
University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. I
have worked in the human service field for 19 years . . . time really goes by!!
I have had the opportunity to work in many areas: supporting people with intellectual
disabilities, supporting people with a serious mental illness, chemical addictions
as well as eating disorders and gambling addictions. My most recent position was
working for Homeland Security-FEMA assisting applicants with various housing needs.
I very much enjoy working with people,
and being encouraged by the progress that is made each day! There is truly no
greater field to work in than human service.
| | |
| |
JENNY
JOHNSON
JOB DEVELOPER
GRAFTON, PARK RIVER, CAVALIER
(701) 352-0060
FAX (701) 352-0371 E-mail
me | | After
graduating from high school, I attended college at North Dakota State University
in Fargo. I was married in 1989 and that same year I started working with people
with disabilities. My employment with Friendship started on May 30, 1990 as a
direct care staff. My husband and I had our first daughter in December of 1991
and twin daughters in December of 1994. During my employment at Friendship, I
have worked in several positions and now I am a Job Developer in the Grafton,
Park River area. As a Job Developer,
my main focus is to help people find community based employment. Developing links
into the community has a significant impact on quality of life. Through social
networking, natural extensions, customized employment and focusing on people's
talents and dreams, I can help them obtain meaningful employment; thus, improving
the quality of their lives. We currently have about 40 community based jobs where
the people we serve are directly hired, 9 self employed people and several who
volunteer for a variety of community based activities. With the right supports,
people can be successful in obtaining their goals and dreams.
Back
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| | | |
LILLIAN
MULDER
JOB DEVELOPER
FARGO
(701) 235-8217 FAX (701)
235-7538
E-mail
me
| | I
became the Job Developer, for Fargo Day Supports in April 2006. Previously I had
been working at Friendship in the Adult Day program. I have over 10 years of experience
with Friendship and look forward to each new year. It is both my personal and
professional belief that all people should have equal opportunities in all aspects
of their lives. As Job Developer my
goal is to achieve community employment for the people served at Friendship, Inc.
Through social networking, natural extensions, customized employment and focusing
on people's talents and dreams, we can help them obtain meaningful employment;
thus, improving the quality of their lives. With the right supports, everyone
can be successful in obtaining their goals and dreams.
Back
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|
| | | |
| STACEY
HERMAN
ADMINISTRATOR
GRAFTON
(701) 352-0060 FAX (701)
352-0371
E-mail
me
| Hi!
My name is Stacey Herman. I am the Administrator of the Family and Community Living
Program in Grafton, ND. I have been with Friendship since August of 1998, when
I began working as a Coordinator in FCL. My current position as the Administrator
of FCL is to support the people served in the QMRP role. We work together as a
team to support people to live successfully in their own homes and apartments.
The FCL department serves people in ISLA (Independent Supported Living Arrangement),
MSLA (Minimally Supported Living Arrangement), and FSS (Family Support Services).
| I am originally
from Watertown, SD, where I was born and raised. After graduating from high school,
I attended college at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Go Fighting
Sioux! I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. My first position
in the Developmental Disability field was in May of 1992, when I worked as a direct
care staff in ISLA for REM, ND in Grand Forks. Throughout the years, I became
a Qualified Trainer with Minot State University for the North Dakota module curriculum.
I was the Staff Trainer for Development Homes, Inc. for several years in Grand
Forks before I moved to Grafton. Friendship is now where I call home, and I very
much enjoy the people I work with and support every day.
|
Throughout my education and experience,
my greatest teacher has been my son. I was blessed in September of 2006 with a
bright-eyed baby boy named, Joey. Life has been an exciting journey ever since!
We recently purchased a home in Grafton, where he is definitely the boss!
| | I am
very lucky to have an awesome family, great friends, and a wonderful career. Friendship
is a great place to work, as you see the difference you are making in someone's
life every day and you feel the difference they are making in yours!
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| | Friendship,
Inc's Organizational Chart Back
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