Floodwood Services and Training, Inc, incorporated in October 1977, as Floodwood Day Activity Center is located in northern Minnesota. Floodwood, situated among rivers, woods, while boasting 550 residents, is located 40 miles in any direction from larger cities. This is much like being the hub on a wagon wheel.
The Day Activity Center began in the spring of 1977 in a local church basement by family and friends of persons with mental retardation. The families and friends believed there were activities, experiences and education to be gained by their loved ones as they ventured out of their homes and into the community to enjoy interaction, gain recognition and acceptance with others. The initial group then moved to the Floodwood Community Center building at 601 Ash Street, in Floodwood.
After the 1977 incorporation and move to the new location, Floodwood Community Center on Ash Street, the founders negotiated a contract with St. Louis County Social Services and MN Dept of Human Services, providing program services to qualifying adults. A grant and local matching dollars helped to build an addition to the Community Center to house the new participants. The Day Training and Habilitation activities at that time were focused on recreation, daily living skills and leisure activities. The enrollment numbers grew to sixty-five adults over the next few years within a coverage area of Floodwood, Brookston, Meadowlands and to the outskirts of Cloquet, Hibbing, Cromwell and Grand Rapids.
In the early 1980s, the agency experienced changes from a movement across the United States providing persons with disabilities more vocational work experiences. During this time, a name change was in order, and the agency became known as Floodwood Developmental Achievement Center. Supervised in-house work included rug weaving on a loom, small projects such as nail sorting, assembly projects and bagging of mulch projects. Wooden button projects were a main activity at the time. Local fairs purchased the buttons with their imprinted logos and pins were glued on the backs.
A Chore Services supervised work program, founded in 1985, began with the help of a grant for equipment. Chore Services began operations with snow shoveling and lawn mowing contracts with several senior citizen homeowners. Chore Services quickly grew to include larger mowing contracts and janitorial services with business owners. The in-house projects continued to provide work opportunities for participants not able to work away from the building.
The very beginning of our recycling program began with FDAC starting a local newspaper drive. In the late 1980s, it was very difficult to find places that would accept newsprint, much less pay for the product. Eventually, there was a small but growing demand for recyclables.
In the early 1990s, Floodwood Developmental Achievement Center acquired ownership of the Ash Street building and property from the Community Center Board of Directors. With the purchase of several more city lots, a 30’ by 50’ Recycling Center was built to process recyclables that community members brought to FST’s loading dock. Supervised crews would sort the recycling and eventually began adding in small recycling routes around the community.
By 1998 the name, Floodwood Developmental Achievement Center, no longer fit the diverse nature of the programs. At this point, a legal name change was made to Floodwood Services and Training, Inc. (FST).
In 1999, a need was identified within FST’s service area to include provisions for care of seniors with significant health concerns. An application was made to MN Dept. of Human Services to become a licensed Adult Day Care facility. After rounds of inspections and meetings Floodwood Services and Training was licensed for Adult Day Service.
FST continues with both the DT&H and ADS licenses. In 2004 a new program provided services for qualified persons in a Pre-Vocational Supported Employment program. This program brought in workers who go out on supervised contract work including mowing, snow removal and cleaning.
In 2005, Floodwood Services and Training, Inc. took ownership of the Senior Citizens Building at 702 Fir Street. The Floodwood Senior Citizens Club was no longer able to pay the expenses for the building and, after studying all of the options, deeded the building and property to FST. The Senior Club members continue to enjoy the building and conduct activities all under the auspices of FST. AEOA Senior Dining meals are prepared there each weekday and served to a number of FST participants and community members each day. A number of participants in the ADS program meet several days a week at the Senior Center
Floodwood Services and Training, Inc. flourishes under the two licenses and has eighty participants enrolled and thirty staff on rotating duty. FST provides meaningful work opportunities, recreation and leisure activities for others and offers exercising, blood pressure and weight checks, and music in promoting good health for everyone.
Floodwood Services and Training, Inc. is thankful for the generous help in the form of grants, time and labor given over the years to make FST a thriving entity.