In Hebrew numerology, 18 is a significant number that stands for life.  Vail Place stands for improving life for people who suffer the devastating effects of living with mental illness – not the least of which are the prejudice and discrimination that result from the stigma of mental illness in our society.

     I've been working at Vail Place for almost 18 years now. For me, it has been a wonderful way to think globally and act locally.  Vail Place is part of an international network of community support programs that operate according to the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation.  There are over 300 programs like Vail Place in more than 30 countries.  I have visited programs in Milwaukee, St. Louis, Iceland, and Scotland . . . we are all doing wonderful work  supporting people with mental illness living in the community – and keeping them out of the hospital.  This is truly a global human rights movement that serves a very needy, misunderstood, and overlooked population.  You can learn more about the international Clubhouse movement at www.iccd.org  and you can read all about Vail Place at www.vailplace.org 

    The Tour de Vail is a lot of fun.  We circle Lake Calhoun , a popular Minneapolis city lake, and then gather at Vail Place, just up the street, for live music, a picnic, and prize drawings.  Over the past seven years, the Tour has grown into a large community event.  This year it is part of the Minneapolis Aquatennial, a week-long festival of summer celebrations and events.  You can read more about it at www.aquatennial.org

    More importantly, the Tour de Vail is a major fundraising event for our agency and the people we serve. The mental health system is in crisis, public funding streams are changing, and mental illness is not a popular focus of corporate and foundation giving.  We raise over a quarter of our budget through fundraising.  The donations we receive from individuals are a vital part of our funding.

    In my position on the administrative staff at Vail Place, I have a lot of variety in my day.  Working at a small nonprofit, I get to shovel snow, unplug toilets, and wash windows, as well as handle the administrative and paperwork duties that come with the job.  I also have the privilege of working with people who live with mental illness and to be a part of a mission that helps them grow . . . toward independence, recovery, and living productive and rewarding lives.      

    I’m glad to be able to get out on my bike and help support this mission – thank you for taking this opportunity to support me and my ride.  Thank you for helping Vail Place transform lives.  MANY THANKS!   G r e g

PS  If you would prefer to make a pledge payment by check, you can mail it to:  Vail Place, Tour de Vail, 15 - 9th Avenue South, Hopkins, MN  55343   THANKS!