Force For Good

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My family has been abundantly blessed in so many ways. One of the biggest blessings, is being part of the Tradition family of companies. This group of vertically integrated companies, led by a very diverse group of individuals, strives to be a Force for Good in all that they do.

These companies, along with their owners, employees, business partners, vendors and friends, have set out to make a di erence in our communities. By joining together, we are making a di erence in the lives of people and organizations that help people. Our goal is to make a di erence by helping set them up for long-term viability, and then move on to address the next challenge.

We are no stranger to tackling di cult projects and know how to mobilize resources, connect the dots, and bring people together for a common goal. When we join together and combine our resources, time, talent, and earnings, we can truly be a Force for Good

Thanks to all of you who are joining the force - together we will make a significant and lasting impact in our communities.

- Tip Enebak

Force for Good

Tradition Companies and Tradition Capital Bank’s Keystone Program are working together to locate and assist charitable organizations in an endeavor to provide support for these groups to grow and have a larger impact in the communities we live and work in.

We have created a private foundation, The Big T Foundation, to hold contributions for disbursement on projects. All projects are vetted by the Board of Directors.

The Big T Foundation’s Board of Directors are:

Tip Enebak | Tradition Companies

Leah Hendrikson | Tradition Companies

Adam Mikkelson | Tradition Companies

Chad Schumacher | Tradition Wealth Management

David Ness | Fafinski Mark & Johnson

Keith Tomlinson | Strategic Partner

Larry Schminski | Strategic Partner

The Big T Foundation is a qualified private foundation that allows funds given to be tax deductible, subject to certain limitations.

We will have a variety of tools to work with, such as:

Individual Contributions

Corporate Contributions

Bank Leverage Customers

Lenders

Respected Competitors

Long-term Relationships

Financial Strength

Wanting to make a di erence

We invite you to join us in our pursuit of local impact projects that will help the people, families and organizations that are a Force for Good in our communities to do more, and do it better.

Force for Good

Building a Bridge

In 2007, the housing market experienced an abrupt and severe downturn that shook the industry to its core. Sales plummeted. Production halted. Assets rapidly became liabilities, leaving many developers and builders with unfinished business and depleted resources, as though stranded on the edge of a bridge that they could neither cross nor complete. Some were forced to close their doors. Others decided to cut their losses and walk away.

“We had three choices,” said Tip. “We could give up, we could turn back or we could move forward with the help of our long-time vendors and partners to come up with a plan to find our way through it.” Characteristic of the Enebak way of doing things, they chose number three.

“I told my people that we would not give up or go backwards,” said Tip. “We were going to honor every obligation we had by building our way to the other side.” These two images (above & below), taken during the construction of Legends, symbolize “the choice” that Enebak Construction and the Tradition Companies made to slowly but assuredly build their

Local Impact Projects and Organizations

Past Projects

The Coach Hall Foundation

Frank and Ashley Hall | Chardon, OH

The Coach Hall Foundation’s mission is to provide e ective means to protect against school violence and improve the quality of life in our school communities.

Tradition has donated to the Hall family and the Coach Hall Foundation. A large part of the Hall family donation was gifted by Tradition employees.

A significant portion of the donations has allowed Frank and Ashley to adopt 9 children who came from struggling and broken homes. All 9 adopted children are thriving in school, sports and life, with their oldest sons currently in college playing Division 1 sports.

Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity

Alyssia’s House | Brainerd, MN

Alyssia is a single mom that needs our help. She was born in Aitkin, MN and grew up in a life of drugs, alcohol and homelessness. By age 14, Alyssia was using drugs and had been arrested. She tried to put it all behind her, married her husband, and has two sons (now age 5 and 18 months). Her husband however, relapsed and is currently serving a jail sentence.

Alyssia is determined to give her children a better life than she had. She has been drug-free for seven years, has held a job at a diner for 5 years (until COVID), has started counseling to overcome her past, and is receiving financial counseling to budget for a home.

The Brainerd community came together and found a construction manager and 22 people/organizations who donated a total of $90,000 - getting close to their $125,000 project goal to give Alyssia and her sons a safe, reliable home of their own.

Tradition Family Foundation donated the remaining $35,000 in May 2021 to close the gap and make the project a reality.

Housing First MN Foundation

House of Hope | Bloomington, MN

Homes by Tradition partnered with Housing First MN, Together for Good, and Emmaus Lutheran Church in November 2018 to fully renovate a home to be used as transitional housing for women and their children who are facing serious life crises.

The House of Hope is a short term residence that will house mothers and their children as they are taught life skills and basic job training. Together for Good and Emmaus Lutheran Church will provide practical help, relationship support and housing services to families as they live in the home. Together for Good then continues to work with them as they hopefully become a “family” and productive member of the community.

With the help of trades and suppliers donating a portion of labor and materials, the $80,000 project was completed in February 2019.

Whispers of Hope

Northfield, MN

Whispers of Hope provides rest, encouragement and emotional healing for women struggling with negative life controlling behaviors. This is accomplished through Biblical-orientated counseling, retreat housing, farm-orientated lifestyle chores and hands-on contact with the farm animals.

The Tradition Family Foundation provided a $180,000 check in March 2021 to pay o the organization’s current mortgage on its farmstead facility.

Tradition and their partners have also completed their dream bunk house, called the “Chalet”, and provided no-cost building services. The estimated cost of the building was $350,000.

Construction started Summer 2022 & completed Spring 2023.

Past Projects (continued)

Cahill Place

Center City Housing | Inver Grove Heights, MN

A joint project with Center City Housing and Dakota County. Project will provide 40 housing units for homeless women and their children.

Overall project cost is approximately $12 million - majority of funding coming from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Tradition awarded Center City Housing $350,000 in August 2018 to help fund the initial project expenses.

Project was completed Summer 2020.

Hillcrest Village (formerly Manger Inn)

Community Action Center | Northfield, MN

The Manger Inn site was acquired by CAC in January 2019 with $275,000 in funding provided by Tradition.

Project previously provided transitional housing for families that were experiencing temporary homelessness.

Fully funded by the local businesses and community of Northfield.

Community Action Center is completing construction on a new and expanded supportive housing development with 10 additional units for emergency and transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Hillcrest Village will be one of the first net zero energy emergency housing developments in the nation (100% of utilities serviced by on-site solar)

Tradition provided development and technical support and services to support CAC’s plans and vision through city approvals

Tradition and Jim & Linda Sawyer helped establish the Tom & Linda Blaisdell Memorial Fund to help provide rental assistance to prospective tenants.

Local Impact Projects and Organizations

Current Projects

Every Third Saturday

Minneapolis, MN

Every Third Saturday (ETS) is a volunteer group providing clothing, activities, counseling and community support for homeless veterans.

In late 2020, ETS purchased a property adjacent to their old location from the Marrier family and The Hands Foundation with a loan from Tradition Capital Bank to become the future permanent home of ETS.

Tradition worked with its partners to provide architectural design services and funding for the construction of a new building on the new site. Tradition also led meetings with the City of Minneapolis planning and inspection departments to ensure a plan was developed that meets requirements.

Demolition + Construction started July 2021. Completion + Grand Opening celebrated May 2022.

The new building meets all the organization’s needs in one location, including a storefront, product storage, activity and meeting space, fitness center for veterans, onsite co ee shop business (will serve as a job training facility), and outdoor courtyards. Total construction cost of the project was $2,720,000.

In order to assure operational success, The Big T Foundation committed an additional $532,000 toward operations for 2022-2024.

The Grief Club of Minnesota

Eden Prairie, MN

The Grief Club of MN is a one of a kind, independent children’s grief center o ering professional bereavement support to grieving children, teens, and their families to help find connections, share their experiences and heal. Nearly every state in the U.S. has at least one children’s grief center - Minnesota does not.

The Big T Foundation has pledged to donate $1,600,000 over 5 years toward the purchase of an existing o ce building in Chanhassen, MN - a new permanent home/facility to help ensure that no child or family grieves alone. They will be able to carry out their mission of grief counseling in this new building and also expand to provide broader mental health services.

Current Projects (continued)

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United Heroes League

Hastings, MN

United Heroes League (UHL) helps military families heal, build friendships, and engagement in their communities through sports. They do this by actively working to ensure that children of military service members are a orded every opportunity to participate in sports with free sports equipment, game tickets, cash grants, sports camps, special experiences, and more. They have been able to provide over $30 Million of FREE opportunities to military families across the U.S. & Canada.

Tradition has sponsored one of UHL’s largest annual fundraising events, the Celebrity Camo Classic golf event, for over 6 years.

UHL headquarters is located on over 50 acres of land, with plans to expand their campus with additional sports facilities, Olympic refrigerated ice rink, and more. Tradition has committed $1.3 Million toward the build-out of their campus.

Tradition also secured an additional $500,000 donation to UHL from Scheels Eden Prairie & The Scheels Foundation.

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The Ranch + Eagle’s Healing Nest (Collaboration)

Sauk Centre, MN

The Ranch o ers healthy, therapeutic, and a supportive environment for those a ected by mental illness and brain disorders. The organization strives to provide a future of optimism, freedom from barriers, and the opportunity to live full, independent lives, with new beginnings. It is a healing center to help each team member and military veteran reach mental wellness.

Eagle’s Healing Nest is committed to meeting the needs of our veterans, service members and their families who su er from the invisible wounds of war. The Nest is currently at maximum capacity and meeting the needs of all others on the wait list (enough to fill another 1.5 homes).

The Big T Foundation has committed $300,000 toward building remodel and bronze statue monument design and construction. The goal is to combine resources in order to create an opportunity to reach more people.

HopeKids Minnesota

Hope K 5K/10K + Kids Fun Run (annual) | Lakeville, MN

Week of Hope (annual) | Flathead Lake Lodge - Bigfork, MT

The House that Hope Built (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022) | Twin Cities, MN

HopeKids provides ongoing events, activities, and a powerful unique support community for families who have a child with cancer or other life-threatening medical conditions.

A “Hope K” event is hosted annually by Tradition in Spirit of Brandtjen Farm. The day begins with a 5K/10K + Kids Fun Run, followed by an afternoon of free family-friendly activities for HopeKids, their families, and our community to enjoy. Over the years, this event has raised close to $1,300,000 for HopeKids MN. Each annual event typically raises between $70,000 and $100,000 for HopeKids.

Since 2020, HopeKids sends families from their chapters across the U.S. to a “Week of Hope” each year at Flathead Lake Lodge in Montana. This is a once-in-a-lifetime, all expenses paid, experience for the families who are selected to go. Tradition has sponsored 3 families from the Minnesota chapter to attend each year.

Tradition has built three House that Hope Built projects in its Spirit of Brandtjen Farm community in Lakeville, MN, and one in its Huntersbrook community in Victoria, MN. Proceeds from the sale of the homes go to HopeKids MN. The “Hope House” projects built in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022, resulted in $1,560,000 donated to HopeKids MN. A significant portion of the donation resulted from the participation of Tradition vendors and business partners.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better - it’s about what you’ve given back.”

- Denzel Washington

Making a Di erence

There are many ways to contribute to The Big T Foundation’s e orts: Financial contributions, in-kind material donations, labor, services, and wise counsel are always necessary and appreciated.

Past Contributors

R Scott Egginton

Brian Peters

Blake Bonjean

Brad Becker

Michael & Kerry Cronkhite

Thomas Buslee

Kraft Development

Je rey & Roxanne Zellmer

Doug Bonjean

Gerald Bonjean

Greg & Michelle Cardis

Chad & Melissa Genereux

Mark & Kimberly Holland

Dan Gust

Michael & Debra McGray

Eric & Laurie Fiedler

Soil Logix

Make your impact.

“I have learned throughout my career that the harder I work, and the more I give back, the more I get in return.”

Force for Good

- Tip Enebak

10 years ago, Every Third Saturday (ETS) began with one person sharing a package of new underwear with another person in a moment of simple humanity. No Facebook posts, no judgements, and very few words. Just a person with a need and a person able to fill that need. Turns out, the person in need was me, and it taught me one of the most important lessons of my life, when we meet each other at the soul level, race, ethnicity, gender, disappear and we become simple humans sharing what we have with each other in whatever way we are able.

As ETS has grown it has been a challenge to ensure we remember this simple lesson and to find partners who share the same philosophy. Incredibly, ETS has been blessed with several partners who do what they do because it is good and right even if it is di cult and inconvenient. Two of these partners stand out above all the rest, the Marrier family and the employees of Tradition companies.

Scott, Deb, Darrell, and Chauncey Marrier are the most genuine, caring people I have ever met. Through a chance meeting where one person was able to fill the need of another, a bond was formed that has supported thousands of other people. The love and humility the Marrier's bring to everything they do is among the rarest of all things. It is a bright light shining into the darkest of places. The light allows people in need to connect with others in a way that ensures nobody is better than anyone else. The Marrier's personify that lesson I learned years ago and they have taught me how to live it out every day.

As ETS moves into the next chapter, we have been blessed with a new partner with the same basic philosophy; do good because it is right, not easy, simple humans sharing what we have with each other in whatever way we are able. Partnering with all of you has been nothing short of amazing. Buildings and vans are important and we are eternally grateful for all of the good they will enable, but it is the way in which they've been provided that tells the story. No fanfare, nobody seeking praise or credit. In a world that is increasingly self centered and dark, you are shining the brightest of lights and giving others hope that there is light at the end of their tunnel.

ETS is honored to be a small part of a much greater Force For Good. As a way of showing our appreciation for what you are sharing with us, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to always share what we have with others in the same way.

A Force for good is sorely needed in our culture and I hope you know that you are making a di erence and shining that light with what you do every day. All of us at ETS thank you for being willing to share with us so we can share with others in new and beautiful ways. God is looking down and smiling because we are all working together to ensure nobody gets left behind.

- Tom McKenna Founder, ETS

Interior Concept Renderings

THANK YOU PARTNERS

Action Overhead Door Company

Brian Peters

Dick’s Sanitation

DPIS Builder Services

Drew’s Total Concrete

Enebak Construction Co.

ESP Monitoring

FPI Paving

In-Focus Systems

Installed Building Solutions

SEVEN GRANDS

Landmark Architectural Signs

Larry Schminski

Lifesaver Protection

Mike Meloch

Northland Concrete & Masonry Co.

Onsite

Pella Northland

Silver Tree Plumbing & Heating

Unlimited Exteriors

Warners’ Stellian

Tradition employee donated 12-passenger van

In memory of Jim Thompson

dear friend, & volunteer driver Feb. 1, 1942 - Nov. 11, 2022

Veteran,

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

LICENSED PROFESSIONALS

EMPLOYERS WEEKS

DOCTORS

FIRST RESPONDERS / MILITARY PROFESSIONALS

HEALTH EXPERTS

PERSONAL TRAINER

The Warrior’s process is a program designed to empower veterans and their families as they pursue a future tailored to their individual experiences, skill sets and dreams. Each participant in the program identifies and follows a path of their own, and Every Third Saturday provides the support, resources, and accountability. Spouses and loved ones are not only included in the program, but can participate on their own individual path as well. Results occur, positive change happens, and self-worth increases while becoming trustworthy in our communities. 30+ 10+ 5 13 4 19 3

STRENGTH COACH

1 GOAL TRAUMATIC GROWTH HEALING SOUL WOUNDS

Sample Daily Schedule | Warrior’s Path

Friday | 2023

Week 1

10:00am-11:30am

Christine Bongiovanni-Sti | Certified Life Coach / Former Miss Universe

*Mental Fitness - Mind conditioning towards best self

- Positive Intelligence

- Life Meaning/Having Purpose/Values

1:15pm-2:45pm

Tom McKenna USMC Combat Veteran

*Combat Reboot Recovery - Addressing Soul Wound

- Moral Injury

- Understanding Roots of Trauma (Increasing Awareness)

*Spirit of Man is worth Fighting for / Honoring Brotherhood & Sisterhood

3:00pm-4:00pm

Jon Engfer MPS LADC CPRS - Recovery Coach

*Mental/Physical/Spiritual Strength Training

- Emotional Stability

- Personal Development (Healthier Outcomes)

- Continuous Improvement (Holistic Approach)

Full Warrior’s Path program schedule available upon request.

Navy Veteran - David L | Cohort 9 Graduate

The five weeks spent at Warriors Path was an experience that is hard to describe. I've done things there and met people there that I would have never come across in my daily life. Every one of those people extended a welcome hand to help anyway they could in whatever I decided to do moving forward. It was very motivating and put me in situations with more and more people that had created a good life for themselves and invited us to do the same with their help. I would encourage anyone to get involved if for no other reason but to be motivated and inspired. You will have to move... but that's a good thing.

David passed his State Peer Recovery Support Certification Examination and hopes he can help restore the North Side Community of Minneapolis with the intention of improving the quality of lifestyles - the reason he is now working with Twin Recovery Project as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.

Army Veteran - Mike A. | Cohort 2 Graduate

As a veteran, sometimes the world doesn’t understand us. I struggled with addiction, other issues, and was lost and alone. Warriors Path was introduced to me, and I flourished. I took the lessons I learned from Warriors Path and the hard-earned lessons I received from life, and I built a rock-solid foundation to stand on. I was able to build a career and graduate from Warriors Path and go on to become a certified peer recovery specialist. Warriors Path helped build that within me. Now because of Warriors Path and my dedication to that program I work for an amazing company as an advocate for those struggling from addiction and despair. Warriors Path gave me the ability to build a NEW mission statement for my life now no longer as just a soldier but as a Warrior in a community that builds and supports fellow warriors to be better, live better and most of all to show up better. I am no longer identified by my addiction, but I am an advocate for those that are struggling, Warrior's Path IS LIFE ALTERING. I was searching for how to be worthy again and become of service to someone other than myself. During my journey through Warrior’s Path, I was able to find that direction and become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and join ETS as a member of the team directing our recovery projects that lead to healthier outcomes for Veterans that are struggling and teach others in the program how to accomplish their goals. None of this would have been possible without Warrior Path. This has allowed me to blossom both in recovery and in my spiritual journey. Without Warriors Path I would have been lost but now I get to help other Veterans achieve their goals. That is what is truly amazing and blessed about Warriors Path. Plain and simple it saved my life.

Currently, Mike is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and helps Veterans in Recovery every day. Mike was also baptized in Christ and is now an active member at Wooddale Church. He also helps advocate and support Veterans navigate through the VA systems. In addition, Mike is preparing to explore a role in Christian Ministry.

National Guard Veteran Scott B. | Cohort 11 Graduate

All of us have some burden we bear in one form or another. More often than not, the Military/combat veteran ethos is to bury that burden and never let it see the light of day. Prior to Warriors Path, a series of unsuccessful therapy programs made me a firm believer in just pushing it down. After the 5-week Warriors Path Program I have not only moved past pushing it down, but now have the tools to do so much more than simply survive. It is “tough lessons and hard won wisdom” that allow us to thrive to improving ourselves and others. ETS and the Warrior’s path has provided that “a ha” moment and community that is propelling me into a brighter future, that is truly priceless.

Scott is preparing for his Peer Recovery Support Certification, and currently interviewing for an Estimator Position within the construction industry. He also attends the ETS Bible Study weekly meeting and supports the ETS Warrior’s Path events.

National Guard Veteran - Megan M. | Cohort 3 Graduate

I'm forever grateful for the opportunity Warriors Path provided me. I suffered a great loss with my friend and battle buddy taking his own life. I was at a complete loss mentally, but knew I needed help. I had heard of Warriors Path through different military circles and reached out for help. I gained a lot over the five-week course. Not only was I suffering from a loss, but I also now recognize and understand my unresolved trauma from my military experience. I learned how to cope with the pain and gained valuable skills to turn what I thought was a weakness into strength. I no longer feel held down by fears of being labeled. I am empowered and ready to help others feel the same. Saying ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like enough when it comes to how I feel about Warriors Path. I am eternally grateful for the course and my new sense of strength.

Megan currently works full time, is a member of the combat veteran motorcycle association, and supports the Ride to Remember Foundation. Megan has her own home with her partner and lives in Northeast Minneapolis.

Army Combat Veteran - Toni M. | Cohort 5 Graduate

Toni M. served in the U.S. Army from 2005-2011 and was deployed to Iraq multiple times where she contributed to combat operations. Her military career included operating as a Logistic Specialist, and fulfilling leadership positions, ultimately retiring as a Sergeant. Toni is a disabled veteran who now dedicates her efforts to educating others on having hope and to raise awareness about the benefits of trauma supportive services. She speaks at various small events, workshops, and seminars sharing her experiences as a wounded warrior navigating the treatment process, overcoming the multiple traumas she has experienced in her journey of post-traumatic growth and resiliency.

“Warriors Path for me was a new means of self-discovery, mixed with comradery and a sense of belonging. At Warrior’s Path I was able to speak and more importantly I felt heard and understood. Through Warrior’s Path I was able to connect with the veteran community and learn about different resources. To me, Warrior’s Path is not just smoke and mirrors. When the staff approached me, I was always met with the sincerest intent. From the speakers to my fellow veterans, the experience was all around enlightening and a journey that I'd gladly do again. From here I plan to pursue my career as a peer support recovery specialist, focusing on veterans in recovery. I will continue to advocate for veterans in post-traumatic growth and healing.”

Toni is now a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. She has been hired by the Minneapolis VA as a Whole Health Veteran Peer Support Specialist. She helps Veterans who struggle from lifestyle challenges move towards healthier outcomes. In addition, Toni speaks to Resilience in the Warrior’s Path Process and volunteers support to ETS whenever there is need for help. Toni is also an active part of her family as a mother to her children.

Army Veteran - Rachael F. Cohort 9 Graduate

I had a tough year leading up to walking through those doors on day one. I lost several people very close to me in a very short time and my world was crumbling around me. Anxiety and depression left me wondering why I was still alive. I spent many days in bed doing nothing. I was feeling like a complete failure in life and as if I was letting everyone around me down.

Through Warriors Path I was able to reconnect with myself again. I learned to trust myself and believe that there is a higher purpose/calling for me. I am destined for greatness, and I will do great things in this lifetime. Challenges in life come to check our commitment to change. Setbacks are not an end all, but instead an opportunity to reevaluate, adjust course if needed and to continue the mission. The mission is this thing called life, every single one of us have greatness inside of us, but it is up to US to find it and be brave enough to share it with the world. Jon and the entire Warriors Path team have helped me find my warrior within that felt broken, beat down, undeserving and defeated. They have provided me with tools to rebuild and strengthen that warrior. It is up to me to be disciplined through this process, but I must trust the process.

Rachael F. is currently in college at Minnesota State Mankato to receive her Bachelor of Science in Social work. She plans to complete her degree next December. Rachael is a responsible mom, daughter, wife, and friend. She is also an active member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association while supporting her brother and sister veterans throughout the State of Minnesota.

The Grief Club of Minnesota

Trustworthy professional support, genuine care and heartfelt compassion

Our Founders have nearly 50 years of collective professional experience serving as hospice social workers, school grief counselors, mental health crisis and trauma responders, local and national speakers on family bereavement, authors of grief support curriculum and private practice grief therapists. Since our launch in 2020, the organization has emerged as the first and only-of-its-kind facility in Minnesota specializing in grief care and mental health support, serving the entire family. What sets us apart is that our services are for children, teens, young adults and their families (parents/caregivers), o ered at no charge, year-round, and facilitated by professionally licensed mental health counselors. Our programs include continuous individual counseling, family counseling, grief support groups for all ages and our new facility is perfectly suited for special therapeutic events in nature and the outdoors. No other program in the state wraps around the entire family’s well-being in the same way, in one location. Our grief-focused, trauma-informed, whole-family care supports everyone in the family unit, strengthening their performance, functionality and communication. Investing in our children and their families will help them build the resilience and coping skills needed to adjust to the death of a loved one and enable them to handle future challenges and make contributions toward building healthier and safer communities.

Whole family grief care and mental health support

Childhood bereavement is a critical issue and an increasingly important national priority. The death of a significant person in a child’s life is noted to be one of the most frequently reported disruptive childhood experiences today. More than 84,000 children in Minnesota will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18. That number nearly triples to 205,000 by the age of 25. Grieving youth are more likely to endure mental health challenges, poor academic performance and negative long-term physical and financial outcomes than their non-grieving peers. Left unaddressed, childhood grief can undermine a child’s future. Children grieve in the context of their surroundings, making grief a family issue. When a grieving child finds their community of support, they learn the importance of sharing their feelings and begin to heal. In the midst of loss, remarkable resilience can unfold in a family unit.

There are no words to adequately express our depth of gratitude for every service we have received at The Grief Club since our 16 year old son died. Everything they do is done with care and competence. Everything. Because of them, our family breathes a little easier, sleeps a little better, and feels a lot more hopeful.

- Jenny A grieving

I like coming to The Grief Club because they help me get my feelings out and then I don’t always feel sad. I don’t ever want to forget all the fun things me and my sister did with my mom. We get to make things to help us remember her.

- Eddie Age 8

The Grief Club of Minnesota provides a place where grieving children, teens, young adults and families find connections, share their experiences and heal.

mother

Co-Founders | Sarah & Cara

Organizational Impact

2022

921 counseling sessions

41 grief support groups

1,450 grieving children and families walked through our doors Expanded our sta from two licensed mental health therapists in 2020 to four in 2022, plus support sta to assist with organizational operations.

2023 (1/2 Year | January - June)

738 clinical sessions

53 grief support groups

1,247 grieving children and families walked through our doors

New O ce Building

The Grief Club of Minnesota has grown exponentially since our inception in 2020, more than doubling our caseload in 2022 and again in 2023. These numbers represent thousands of hearts finding hope through research-based and specialized clinical support. The level of care we provide and the value we place on serving the entire family, in one place where all can be served, is challenged by a wait list that is now too large to currently accommodate. More therapists on sta will equal more lives that we can touch. We must build our capacity and increase access to our high-quality family services. Urgency from the grieving community is evidenced by the volume of new referrals we receive daily. Today, there are far too many grieving children and families without access to a specialized, caring place to go. It is our mission to ensure that all children and their families receive the services they need when they need it to navigate their grief in healthy ways.

A di erence-maker providing critical grief support for the entire family

United Heroes League

Helping military families heal, build friendships, and engagement in their communities through sports.

United Heroes League (UHL) has been around for over 14 years, having started as “Defending The Blue Line” in 2009 o ering hockey benefits to local military kids. The organization re-branded in 2016 to become United Heroes League and expanded their mission to ALL sports. Keeping military kids and veterans healthy and active through sports is a critical way for them to cope with the hardships of military service.

UHL actively works to ensure that children of military service members are a orded every opportunity to participate in sports. To date, they have provided over $30 MILLION worth of free sports equipment, game tickets, cash grants, sports camps and special experiences to over 100,000 military families across the U.S. & Canada. Inspired by their mission, over 115 professional athletes and 30 professional sports franchises have also supported United Heroes League.

84% of the U.S. military is comprised of enlisted service members. The financial burden of sports equipment, camps, association dues, etc. can often eclipse more than 10% of a gross salary of an enlisted service member.

There are 5 million military kids serving alongside their parents each day. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, deployments for military members in the United States have increased in both frequency and length over the past 10 years. As a result of these deployments, many children from military families have experienced absences of one or both parents. More than 2 million of those children have been a ected directly by a parent’s deployment.

United Heroes League

Heroes Course

Full Scale Military Obstacle Course - Discover Your Inner Hero.

A unique source for building confidence, teamwork, and agility in military teens and adults. We share this resource with local school groups, sports teams, and corporate groups to build similar skills. Our team of Veteran military trainers will guide your group safely through the course while brining them closer together, creating a bond like no other.

The Confidence Course was built to construction standards set by the Department of Defense to replicate the atmosphere used in military training. Military personnel ranging from new recruits through elite units, such as the Special Forces, have utilized the same design for decades to build team cohesion and individual confidence in their physical abilities.

Heroes Monument

A new way to pay respect every day - honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Bricks available to community members to honor a hero in their lives. The Heroes Monument is one of the largest in the Twin Cities area, with 60-foot walls that make it visible via aircraft coming and going.

UHL Campus Development Concepts

Ice Rink Groundbreaking

November 2022

donated the earthwork to prep the site of the ice rink last Fall. Other contractors donating their time, talents, and resources to the project include:

(design), Bolander (parking lot). The new outdoor rink will be completed in time for hockey season!

Tentative Timeline

2023 | Ice Rink + Parking Lot

2024 | Football + Soccer Field

2026 | New Main Building / Facility

(O in 2025 for capitol campaign to fund building)

United Heroes League

New Building Concept

The Ranch

Details | Information

The Ranch - Teammates for Life (TR-TFL) o ers mental health wellness services in a supportive environment to players, veterans, first responders, and their families who are su ering from trauma-related mental health issues so they can reclaim their lives and be put on a path to e ective healing and wellness.

The hardest thing for a person who is su ering from mental health issues is to admit they need help. Our ‘one for all, all for one’ team-oriented approach assists in overcoming that stigma and getting help to those that desperately need it. When trauma, mental health, depression, anxiety, or PTSD negatively a ects one‘s life, TR-TFL is there to help.

TR-TFL was a dream of Mark Pavelich a native Minnesotan, New York Ranger, and member of the 1980 Gold Medal Olympic (Miracle on Ice) hockey team. Mark su ered from mental health issues due to brain trauma, and a promise was made to him before his passing to fulfill that dream.

In June of 2021, TR-TFL’s Board of Directors met with Eagle’s Healing Nest Chair & Director Melony Butler to accept her generous blessing to have TR-TFL join the Eagle’s Healing Nest family and mission in meeting the common objective of serving, loving, and building up those who su er from mental health issues. By partnering with Eagle’s Healing Nest, a nonprofit committed to helping veterans heal the invisible wounds of war, Mark’s dream was fulfilled, and the promise was kept.

That promise kept inspires TR-TFL in its mission to help those in need and by working together with Eagle’s Healing Nest to not only make a positive di erence in the lives of hockey players but veterans, first responders, and others who need help.

TR-TFL believes it’s up to all of us to increase awareness regarding mental health and trauma and to accept the reality that mental health doesn’t discriminate. There are teammates, veterans, friends, family members, and first responders who are struggling and su ering in silence from anxiety, depression, addiction, and mental health issues. It’s time to get them the mental health services they need and deserve before it’s too late.

Mental health doesn’t discriminate. It’s up to all of us to increase awareness regarding mental health and trauma. There are teammates, friends, family members, combat veterans, and first responders who may be struggling in silence. It’s time to stand up and help. Let’s get them the help they need and deserve before it’s too late.

Photo of new bronze statue monument at the Grand Opening of The Ranch at Eagle’s Healing Nest in July 2023.

The Ranch + Eagle’s Healing Nest

Eagle’s Healing Nest

Letter from Founder/Director, Melony Butler

“At 8 years old, I made a promise to my stepfather, Charles Pounds, and those he served with in Vietnam, that I would always take care of veterans. I would listen to them share their stories from Vietnam and how the country treated them after coming home. They showed me what a government stand-down was. They shared the awful treatment they received within the VA and the fear they had of being locked away. I didn’t know exactly what and where that promise would lead me until later in life. One-by-one they committed suicide - my stepfather being the last.

Throughout my life I continued to help veterans. When most kids brought home stray puppies and kittens, my mom would come home to me feeding a veteran peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I spent 22 years with the Minnesota National Guard family serving as the Family Readiness Leader, volunteering at Camp Ripley, helping Ret. Gen. Larry Shellito create the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program (which now has been distorted as it is a government program), and helping train for deployment and coming home - all while promoting many programs, including the VA system. All the places that were supposed to be there for our veterans.

Fast forward and 3 of my sons have served (2 combat veterans). When my son came home from serving in Iraq, he was in a dark place. He called and said, ”please tell my babies I love them; I can’t do this anymore”. By the grace of God, we found my son. I called the VA, and what I heard was, we’re sorry but you can’t bring your son here. I called Ret. Gen. Shellito and he said to take him to the VA and he would call to get him in. It should not take a call from a General to get a veteran into the VA when they are in crisis. He was a true leader when he called to check on my son. I said nothing changed, the system is still broken. He said, “don’t come with a problem, come with a solution”. I enrolled in school the following Monday, thinking I would achieve my degree and make a change at the VA. The General and I came up with the name “Eagle’s Healing Nest. Dream It, Believe It and Achieve It.” Two years into school, I knew I would never be able to change the VA. My house was full of veterans in crisis and many veterans were and are still committing suicide. I knew I needed to start The Nest - my family needed “Home, Hope and Healing”. I believed that if given the opportunity the veterans could create THEIR PLACE TO HEAL WITH HONOR, just like the place my stepfather and those he served with had talked about.

I started looking for a small house for 8-10 veterans to call home, but God had a bigger plan. A veteran told me about a property in Sauk Centre. I set up a meeting to see it and was followed all the way there by eagles. When I pulled in the driveway, one swooped down right in front of me, and at that moment, I knew we were home.

The property was perfect. I spoke with a group who was trying to do something similar and told them my idea; they thought I was CRAZY! With a flyer and a Facebook page, the vision started to become reality. The last weekend in July 2012, over 500 volunteers brought tools and supplies, and worked long hours remodeling. The first week of September, the building Promises Made was completed in honor of my stepfather. On the same day state inspections were signed o on, veterans were arriving at the back door. Promises Kept was completed 2 weeks later, in honor of all Vietnam veterans. Then, Songs from Heaven (for all those we lost on foreign and American soil) was the first building for which veterans themselves spearheaded renovations. We also created programs and worked on renovating the auditorium, welding shop, woodshop, chapel, rockshop and art studio and other useful spaces.

Ten years later, the vision is reality - the veterans with strong community support have created their place to heal with honor, keeping the promise to never partner with the VA or let the government have any control. People ask, “How do you do it without government funds?”, and I always reply, “On a Wing and Prayer”. The nest was created with LOVE and it is because of that love, we have saved many lives and healed many veterans, military members and families, and you cannot put a price tag on that!

We only have 4 buildings left to renovate and The Nest will be completed, with more dreams of tiny homes, an indoor riding arena, outdoor rink and green house. Dreams becoming reality. It has been a long hard road, although I would not change a thing. A promise to one and a need of many...Home, Hope and Healing. Promises Made, Promises Kept.”

HopeKids MN

HopeKids provides ongoing events and activities for families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition, such as cancer. Each month, they schedule a variety of events for the whole family – from sports games to museum visits – to provide a glimmer of hope in often long and di cult medical journeys. All HopeKids events are o ered at no cost and focus on the entire family to prevent siblings from being unintentionally overlooked. Each year in the United States, approx. 500,000 children cope with life-threatening medical conditions. But it is more than just the child; these diagnoses a ect the entire family. More than half of parents su er from acute stress disorders and 80 percent of siblings have elevated levels of post-traumatic stress. Numerous studies show that HOPE can increase one’s overall ability to cope and that familial support in chronically ill children is vital. HopeKids understands they are not a cure for these illnesses, but believe that

Hope K 2023

The annual Hope K is a family-friendly event attracting competitive and recreational runners, casual walkers and children of all ages! Run, jog or walk your way in and around the beautiful Spirit of Brandtjen Farm community in Lakeville. Think warm summer days, mixed with a little exercise, breathtaking views and plenty of fun for the whole family!

The morning kicks o with a 5K/10K, followed by a HopeWalk for HopeKids families, a Kids Fun Run, catered lunch, and FREE activities for the whole family! Activities include face painting, rock climbing wall, DJ, inflatable sports, llamas, petting zoo, reptile zoo, tie dye, bounce house, construction machines, fire truck, police cars, military humvee, strong men, and more!

The 2023 Hope K celebrated the 15th year of this event and raised over $130,000. Over 250 adults/kids participated in the Run, and over 800 people from HopeKids and the community came to enjoy a fun-filled day of free activities. One of our best turnouts to date!

[ HOPE ] is a powerful medicine.

Week of Hope

Each year, HopeKids families spend a week, all expenses paid, soaking up the ranch’s 2,000 acres. Activities include horseback riding, arts and crafts, sailing, making s’mores, clay shooting, water balloon fights, laser tag, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, water sports, swimming, campfires, games, and so much more.

While it’s a truly amazing vacation for these families, it is much more than that. Medical bills can be overwhelming, and the uncertain nature of treatment schedules leaves minimal resources to a ord or be able to plan for family vacations. Some families that attend have never even taken a vacation together. Week of Hope is about spending time together as a family, uninterrupted by doctor appointments and the challenges that their lives present, surrounded by other families just like theirs. In between the incredible food and fun activities, HopeKids families make new friends and memories that invoke healing and progress.

This past week, I saw the light come back into my son’s eyes for the first time in a long time. I saw his passion and his spark start living again, without constant fear. I saw Evan just able to be Evan again. A gift that could never be replaced.

- A HopeKids mother

The House That Hope Built

BUILT BY | Robert Thomas Homes

Each “Hope House” has been built with the generous support of our business partners, suppliers and subcontractors. Donations/contributions are made in the form of labor, materials or cash donations. Net proceeds from the sale of each home go directly to HopeKids MN.

HopeKids has used these donations to hold a “Hope Suite” at the Xcel Energy Center. The suite has allowed them to provide hundreds of events to their HopeKids families to enjoy concerts, sporting events and more.

+ RT Urban Homes

2015

2019

2022

2017

Duplex Sheldahl

Proposed acquisition from MNdot

Duplex

Duplex

Fourplex

Fourplex

Playground

The New “Chalet”

2,501

SQ FT

4

LARGE KITCHEN

LARGE GATHERING SPACE

3

BEDROOMS BATHROOMS

1 1 1

LOFT/ SEATING AREA

1.5 STORY HOME

1 CARETAKER SUITE

Unique prototype design provides benefit to trades/partners with its innovative poured concrete exterior structural design and cost e ciencies. Provides strong, quiet place for guests and will allow fewer people out on the site during construction for privacy purposes.

Who is staying in the Chalet?

All of our services and facilities at Whispers of Hope are o ered free of charge to the women and organizations who come. Many women and organizations struggle to find a place for counseling, retreats, planning or rest due to budget constraints or limitation of access to resources by family members.

With the addition of the new bunkhouse (called “The Chalet”), we have been able to serve groups of women with a variety of needs. Non-profit boards on planning retreats, ministry organizations hosting retreats for their clients, and groups coming to volunteer to serve at Whispers of Hope are a few of the kinds of groups we have served. With a current two month wait for individual intensive counseling sessions, we are working hard to train and prepare for an option of small group Intensive sessions that will allow us to serve more women. The Chalet will provide much-needed housing for our volunteer counselors working with our intensive counseling guests.

The majority of women we serve travel to us from the Twin Cities area. Overnight housing is significant for the majority of women we serve and for many of the volunteers looking to serve at Whispers of Hope. Having a safe environment for hurting women to stay, and in addition, accommodations for our volunteers, is critical for our ability to impact the lives of more women.

Lyman Lumber Company

ABC Truss

Lyman Roofing & Siding

Best Siding

ABC Millwork

APV Drywall

All, Inc.

LDM Electric

Duncan Stone

The amazing and generous gift of the beautiful Chalet is one that will be felt for years to come! We are so grateful to the Force for Good and all companies and individuals who partnered together in this build project.

- Tammy Metcalf-Filzen Co-Founder, Whispers of Hope

Whispers of Hope

The Journey

This is a story of God’s sovereignty, turning one family’s pain into other familes’ hope. In the early 1990s, young Jackee had a vision for their barn to be used as a Christian gathering place for teenagers. Her mom, Joanne, joined her in the e ort to get the beautiful 1919 barn transformed into a space to fulfill the vision. Tragically, when Jackee was 16, she died in a car/train accident. Joanne’s desire was to keep Jackee’s dream alive.

In 2009, the Lord started revealing His plans to Tammy Filzen and Connie Olson, co-founders, which would ultimately lead them to Joanne’s farm. They were initially advised to pray for a full year to know if God was actually calling them to start a ministry for women, or to join one already existing. It became very clear that they were to pursue a new ministry to hold it with open hands and join the Lord daily in what He was doing. One thing led to another and a meeting with Joanne brought the two visions together. After many months of prayer and conversations,

Joanne o ered to hold the farm for $100 until it could be purchased. Shortly thereafter, Joanne was diagnosed with leukemia. Over time, money was coming in, plans were falling into place and in September 2013, the farm was purchased. On January 1, 2014, Joanne passed on to Glory.

The work began on the house and counseling shed, requiring architectural designs and extensive changes to meet zoning and state regulations. The Lord brought many volunteers, both professional and lay people to get the job done in just six months! On July 13, 2014, the doors were opened for the first residents. Since then, we have served hundreds of women in a variety of ways.

Due to the Lord’s leading, as of August 2020, we no longer serve long-term residents. Rather, we are meeting the high demand for short-term retreats (1-5 days), intensive counseling sessions, and intensive follow-up counseling.

The staircase in the barn going up to the hay loft

Whispers of Hope

Together