2021 GRATITUDE REPORT

Letter from the President & CEO Kelly Matter

Avivo is HERE for good. For recovery. For advancement. And housing for all. 

2021 was a year the world hoped the pandemic would end. It chose to rage on. It continued to threaten the health and well-being of our participants. But, Avivo stood strong. Avivo is HERE for change in the lives of Minnesota families and the community.

2021 was still one of the harshest years for people who face the toughest challenges – homelessness, struggling with substance use disorders or mental illness, and living in poverty.  

Reports show the crises of opioid use and unsheltered homelessness are at alarming and all-time highs. Families living on the lowest wages are overwhelmed and struggling, and employers cannot find workers.  

Fortunately, Avivo is HERE for families in Minnesota. Avivo uniquely pairs its housing, chemical and mental health, training and employment services, whenever possible, to support personal paths of health and economic mobility for each person we serve. Because of your commitment to Avivo:

• More than 11,000 individuals and their families benefited from Avivo services. 
• 1,664 individuals were served to find or maintain housing to avert homelessness. 
• 3,200 people accessed our treatment, recovery and mental health services. 
• 1,414 individuals entered jobs and careers. 
• 1,250 individuals and their families moved off public assistance and into work. 

Avivo advanced justice, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to further its commitment to undoing racism and eliminate disparities as a shared experience of Avivo employees, people served and guests. 

In the following report, you will discover why Avivo’s work is so critical to increasing the well-being of families and communities. For individuals who need us the most, you helped make all the difference. Because of you, Avivo is HERE for Good. For All. 

Thank you for believing everyone deserves the chance to live well and work well! 

With gratitude,

Kelly Matter
President & CEO

“Being in my own housing has really given me purpose. I see good things in my future. The future’s looking great for me.”

Eric was living on the streets for five years and trying to hold down a job. A street outreach worker helped him get into Avivo Village, our transitional housing shelter focused on helping individuals find permanent housing. He was connected with the supports he needed to move into an affordable apartment. He is working on his career and life goals. Having a home allows him to spend time with his children.

Avivo Institute of Career & Technical Education offered in-person and virtual career education programs, training healthcare and computer technicians and students in business and computer applications and information technology. The school achieved re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

“Avivo really prepared me for an IT career. If I hadn’t had training like what I had at Avivo, I wouldn’t have been successful.”

Philip endured multiple layoffs and decided a career change was the answer, rather than another short-term job. Deciding on a career in information technology (IT), he enrolled in Avivo Institute for Career & Technical Education. He was selected for an IT internship at Avivo after graduating, which gave him experience in a tough job market during the pandemic. His IT certifications, combined with the hands-on experience, helped him quickly land his current job!

“I know for a fact that if I didn’t have housing when I went to Avivo I would’ve been good for maybe three months… having somewhere to lay your head at, to be safe… that sense of security through your journey is crucial.”

Because mothers can go through treatment at Avivo with their children, Sharon reunited with her 15-year-old daughter when she entered Avivo’s program. She shared it was “better than Christmas!” Now two years in recovery, they’ve moved into their own apartment. Sharon is working for an emergency shelter for homeless youth and happy she is able to give back.

 “[Jacqueline at Avivo helped me] with continuing my course work at Avivo… connecting me to interviewing… and Avivo’s [UBI] grant program.”

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Pamela’s training halted. She lost supports and could not work. With Avivo’s help, she completed her training and found employment. Participating in Avivo’s guaranteed income pilot program gave her regular monthly income that helped her focus. She found a full-time job, was able to purchase a “little bitty” car, cover costs for childcare and set aside some savings. (photo credit: Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)

Matt & Maria Hultman

Matt and Maria have been supporting Avivo since 2008. Matt discovered Avivo while working at UPS through his employer’s United Way campaign. According to Matt and Maria, supporting Avivo is personal. “We lost someone very dear to us who was impacted by chemical dependency, mental illness and homelessness. We truly believe if we had found an organization like Avivo then, they would have had a chance at living a healthy life.” In addition to supporting Avivo financially, they have volunteered to lead practice interviews for Avivo participants, adopted families to provide holiday gifts, helped participants with job seeking, and more. “We are inspired to support Avivo as they work to build stronger communities by helping others.”

Join us in celebrating our full list of amazing donors — corpora tions, foundations, organizations and individual donors — by checking out our full, printable 2021 Gratitude Report.

Thank you for being a part of the Avivo family and for believing everyone deserves the chance to live well and work well!