One of Homeward Bound’s residences in Brooklyn Park. Photo: Homeward Bound
Nonprofit offers specialized care for people with disabilities.
For those who can’t be in their own home, Homeward Bound is the next best thing—high-level specialized care in a home-like setting.
“These are people who were dealt a bad hand,” says Lori Merriam, former director of development for Homeward Bound who retired this past May. “They need help. They need people to love and appreciate them.”
The Plymouth-based nonprofit was founded in 1973 and is licensed to serve children, teens and adults. “We started with 64 kids in New Hope,” Merriam says. “We serve just under 100 now. They all happen to be adults at the moment.”
Homeward Bound operates 22 homes in 10 Twin Cities communities, the majority of which are located in the West Metro. “We operate like a home hospital,” Merriam says. “We’re in neighborhoods like yours and mine.”
And while the houses may blend into their suburban neighborhoods, they are customized for their high-needs occupants. Most recently, Homeward Bound partnered with a Minnetonka-based custom builder, Boyer Building Corporation, to build three homes in Brooklyn Park. It is the third time the two organizations have teamed up on a project. “They get us,” Merriam says of Boyer. “They understand; they care.”
“We like the partnership,” says Tom Henjum, Boyer president. “We feel good about working with them.”
The new homes are each four-bed facilities and include kitchen and office space for staff. Merriam says each home features wide hallways and extra-large doorways with specialty doors that can easily accommodate the removal of a patient bed. “To be able to wheel a bed out is so much less disruptive and comfortable for everyone involved,” she says.
In addition to reinforced hallways to protect patients during storms, Homeward Bound homes are zero-entry and can accommodate handicapped vans. “These are the kinds of solutions Boyer offers us,” Merriam says.
“We have the ability to do whatever kind of work they need,” Henjum says.
Homeward Bound and Boyer worked with architect Steve Lanak on the building plans for the homes. “Steve is a wonderful architect who has worked with Homeward Bound for over 30 years,” Merriam says. “He asks the right questions: ‘What would make life easier for patients?’”
The results are both functional and attractive. “Our staff can do a better job in these homes,” Merriam says. “They’re built to our needs, and they’re beautiful.”
“These are places that look like houses, feel like houses,” Henjum says.
For Merriam, being able to offer individuals a home-like environment means a greater sense of dignity. “You would want them to live in a home like ours,” she says.
It also means that individuals can live in a traditional neighborhood. “We get to know our neighbors, and our neighbors get to know us,” Merriam says. “Friendships develop. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Homeward Bound
12805 Highway 55 Suite 400; 763.746.4821
Facebook: Homeward Bound, Inc.
Instagram: @homewardboundmn
Boyer Building
3435 County Road 101, Minnetonka; 952.475.2097
Facebook: Boyer Building Corporation
Instagram: @boyerbuildingcorporation
