After months of painting and fixing up a portion of the old Cooper Center Dormitory, Harry Meyering opened its doors. Roland and Jean Meyer’s dream was coming true with Jeff, their son, being the first to move in. Governor Wendell Anderson attended the Open House and described the Meyering Center as a home “built with love and understanding where human dignity is important”.
History
Harry Meyering began in 1973 by the local ARC and parents seeking a residential alternative to a state institution that would be available to their adult children with mental disabilities when the parents became unable to care for them. The name was chosen to honor Harry Meyering, a professor at Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University, Mankato), and an early leader in the field of mental disabilities. Harry Meyering is a non-profit agency, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
February 5, 1973
1973
1975
Semi-Independent Living Services was launched with two men moving from the Intermediate Care Facility.
1975
December 28, 1976
Harry Meyering moved from the old dormitory setting to a new barrier-free, state-of-the-art apartment style building on Homestead Drive.
1976
1985
Harry Meyering’s Semi-Independent Living Services clients began to move into subsidized housing complexes.
1985
July 1, 1986
Waivered Services (Supported Living Services) became an option for adults with developmental disabilities. Harry Meyering opened their first Support Living Services home for four men. In January 1987, Harry Meyering opened their first Supportive Living Services house for women.
1986
June 1992
Initiated coordination of service with PCA and skilled nursing and homemaker/health services to maintain individuals desire to continue to reside in own apartments with support.
1992
1995
From 1995 – 1997 staff at all levels of the organization wrote the philosophy of Harry Meyering. Thirteen values, with outcomes, indicators and strategies were created, providing guidance and rationale for decision-making throughout the organization.
1995
1999
In April, Harry Meyering received almost $130,000 from the estate of a godmother to one of the people served in our Supportive Living Services program. It was a total surprise and was the largest contribution ever received by Harry Meyering. The donated money and low interest rates have enabled Harry Meyering to purchase eight properties since 1998.
1999
2000
Harry Meyering began to offer CADI services, a funding alternative that allows Harry Meyering to serve persons with greater medical needs or mental health issues in our Semi-Independent Living Services and Supportive Living Services programs. Persons with traumatic brain injury are also served under the TBI waiver.
2000
2000
Due to the generous donation left by Rosina Hanslick, Harry Meyering gained the financing to build a twin home, buy a duplex and complete remodeling on a third home.
2000
October 19, 2003
Harry Meyering received a proclamation from the City of Mankato proclaiming October 19-25 as Harry Meyering and Community Enrichment Week in Mankato.
2003
2005
Values Task Force convenes and wrote the value on “Teamwork”.
2005
2007
Harry Meyering business offices relocated from 709 South Front Street to 109 Homestead Road, providing larger space for the Semi-Independent Living Services and Supportive Living Services staff.
2007
2007
Harry Meyering began a partnership with the Dental Hygiene Department at Minnesota State Univeristy, Mankato. Dental Hygiene students work one-on-one with individuals served with a focus on oral health and care.
2007
2009
Harry Meyering hosted their first “Giving Tree”.
2009
2017
Harry Meyering merges with LivingLinks, a nonprofit aimed at enhancing the quality of life for person’s with independent living challenges.
2017
2023
Harry Meyering celebrates 50 years!
2023
