Business Spotlight: MSS

MSS , formerly known as Midwest Special Services, is a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with disabilities here in Shoreview. While they have evolved significantly as an organization since their founding in 1949, MSS has maintained the same ultimate mission of empowering and supporting people with disabilities. They work towards their vision of a future where everyone is supported in living the life that they choose and deserve. In this long-term goal, MSS takes a holistic approach; blending the wants, needs, interests and connections of the people they support, staff and the wider community.

With over 32 years of operations at their Shoreview location, MSS was one of the first buildings located in the Shoreview Mall area. The facility was custom made to enhance the services offered on-site. Today they offer adaptive beekeeping, adaptive gardening, and a variety of art activities that are catered to peoples’ abilities. Through day support services, they also offer integrated educational and, volunteer opportunities, support for social development and self-advocacy skill building. The greater agency also brings in additional services when there is sufficient interest. These services tend to focus on employment planning, acquisition, retention support, art as employment and remote services. All together, MSS takes a holistic and humanistic approach to their work. The people they support are able to choose the lives they want to live and grow authentically.

Another major focus for MSS is encouraging staff to bring in their own interests to work, creating opportunities for everyone to engage in meaningful activities that are important to them. Ensuring that services are provided with and for people creates an environment of connection and interpersonal growth. From basketball to ceramics, people who provide and enjoy the services of MSS are able to connect on a deeper and more fulfilling level. By staying flexible and adaptive, a comfortable and accommodating culture permeates through the building.

Rather than solely spreading awareness throughout the community, MSS works towards building conducive environments for dignity and choice. By hosting exciting events like their upcoming Summer Party on June 24th, MSS aims to connect people to people. These events facilitate opportunities for natural connections to develop, and for self-expression to shine. In addition to these events, MSS also maintains an art gallery known as Fresh Eye Arts. Here many of the works created by the people they support are displayed for the public to view and for purchase.

Staff members like Program Director Andrew Dimenstein have made it a priority to connect with other community members wherever possible. Whether promoting upcoming events, sharing awareness about issues like adult-sized changing tables in public locations, MSS hopes to empower people to live their best lives, share perspective across the community and form long lasting and meaningful relationships.

MSS is located at 1045 Tomlyn Ave. If you are interested in learning more about them, visit their website or call +1 651 483 3000.