The Next Chapter for CHOICE, unlimited
Forty years ago, adults with disabilities had very different lives. Many were institutionalized, their independence and access to the community taken away. If they got work, they were paid a percentage of minimum wage. And wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms and accessible public transportation were rare, creating additional challenges to being in society.
Today, with help from organizations like CHOICE, unlimited, adults with disabilities have more options. They can earn a full living for their work, start businesses, participate in classes with other members of the community and give back by volunteering. Clients like Pete Barnett, who now creates and sells his art online and at craft shows, attends classes in the community and shares his perspective by being on the CHOICE, unlimited Board of Directors.
A Duluth nonprofit dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities, CHOICE has a clear plan. “Our goal is to help a person build autonomy in their world. How can they be more independent? What can we do to support that?” says Kristie Buchman, Executive Director of CHOICE, unlimited.
To better serve their clients, CHOICE, unlimited moved to a new location in fall 2025. “We’d been looking for a new place for the past three years. The former building wasn’t as accessible as we needed and was too small for our needs,” says Buchman.
When the opportunity came to work from 500 East 10th Street, Suite 300, she jumped at it. “The former landlord was very generous, but we just outgrew it,” says Buchman. The new building is owned by Tobbi Stager, owner of JS Print group.
“Tobbi saw our vision and wanted to help,” says Buchman. The space was cinder blocks and support beans until Stager hired an architect to create a welcoming space. “The former building owner was just awesome as well,” says Buchman. “We were so fortunate to work with [former building owner] Joe Modec. “He had such a passion for serving people with disabilities.”
33 Years of Creating Inclusion
CHOICE, unlimited celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023. Founded in 1993 by Simeona Nygren with help from disabilities advocate Joe Modec. After two years, Buchman joined the business and became Executive Director at Nygren’s retirement.
“It’s been fun to be a part of this company from its infancy. It’s a privilege,” says Buchman.
“I have a family member with a disability,” says Buchman. “I felt drawn to a service-oriented career, doing something that could help my family.” Buchman wanted to be able to offer her family member and others more opportunities than they’d had in the past. “I wanted to see what I could do to help.”
After 41 years in the field, including 31 at CHOICE, unlimited, she still has awestruck moments. “If we found someone a job, when someone meets a goal they’ve been working on, those are the moments you think, ‘Wow, that’s incredible.”’
New Ways of Doing the Work
While other organizations in Minnesota offered services to adults with disabilities, CHOICE, unlimited was one of the first to offer inclusive services. Rather than companies sending piecemeal work to a central location for workers with disabilities to complete the work, CHOICE’s priority is to help their clients work, interact and be a participating member of the public.
One of the first examples in the nation, CHOICE is a community-based provider where work and classes for adults with disabilities are done in neighborhood spaces, with members of the community, not at a center. “The people we serve should have a choice. That’s the most important point,” Buchman says.
They receive equal pay from their job locations, giving CHOICE clients an opportunity to be a part of something, to advocate for themselves. “Our clients say to us, ‘I want to work and I want to earn what anyone else is earning. I want to be treated the same,’” says Buchman.
New Space, New Opportunities
The best part of the new location, according to many staff and clients, is its navigability.
“Everyone is able to get here,” says Jordan Larson, Program Support Specialist. “It’s more accessible. In the last place, the walkers and wheelchairs had a hard time getting around.”
Lindsay LaMontagne, Employment Specialist, agrees with her. “The new space better supports our clients. It’s all one level.”
When searching for the new space, Buchman noted they needed a handicap-accessible and larger space, off-street parking, accessible bathrooms and in a central location (i.e., on a bus line). “We were looking for a place where someone could physically enter the building without a problem. They can pull up to the door and walk straight in.”
The new space is bright and cheerful with wide hallways and beautiful doors. “The building owner, Tobbi Stager, loves to find reclaimed things,” says Buchman. The striking cherry doors and side windows were formerly part of a bank in the Twin Cities.
“The new office is a home base for our management and job coaches,” says Buchman. “It is accessible, all on one level, located in the center of Duluth, and it’s a great space to bring the community in.” Large meeting rooms offer the staff a place to brainstorm.
However, classes or artistic opportunities are held on location of other business partners, as is common for the rest of the population. Rehearsals and performances are held at Duluth Playhouse. Art classes are held at Duluth Art Institute. Other classes are held at churches and are open to the public.
The new space is also about partnering better with the community. A community garden lines one section of the parking lot. A small community park, funded by Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Community, will be built next to the parking lot. “It’s ultimately how we can give back to the community,” says Buchman.
Giving back is an important aspect for CHOICE. Fifty-two percent of their service recipients volunteer in the community.
“We encourage them to do something they’re passionate about,” says Buchman. For some this means walking dogs or taking care of other people’s pets. “It’s important for our clients to be seen as equals. Volunteering helps with that.”
Tailored for Each Client
“When they come to us, we try to build a program around their needs and goals,” says Buchman.
A person-centered approach, tailored to each client, CHOICE’s goal is to help service recipients to be as independent as possible. Some clients are assigned job coaches, who pick them up and take them to their place of employment. Others benefit from having a job coach shadow them at work.
And while there is a large focus on employment, CHOICE also offers classes in cooking and wellness, and other opportunities for building connections in the community. “It helps [our clients] feel like they are part of the job, part of the community,” says Buchman.
Community Theatre Creates Lasting Changes
BOLD-choice Theatres is another option for service recipients. A community theater that creates original productions from their ensemble cast, the productions often center around themes of “inclusivity, individuality and social responsibility,” according to their website. Partnered with the Duluth Playhouse, all rehearsals are held there, with tours to schools and organizations available.
“It’s wonderful to see the actors,” says Buchman. She credits the productions for helping many clients change their perspective on themselves. “It’s such a cool dynamic to have others look up to them. It gives them the position of power.”
Wild State Cider employees celebrate a co-workers birthday in Britney Spears t-shirts.
Value of Work
For many people, the term “work” is akin to drudgery, feeling like a “cog in the wheel.” But for people who have been denied the ability to work, earn a fair wage, or participate in “normal” activities of society, work means independence, acceptance and pride.
“One man brought me his check and showed me that union dues were taken out. He was excited because that is what happens to everyone else,” says Buchman.
“Work is an identity. They are making money, relying on themselves, they can now do things like going to movies and concerts they’ve never been able to afford,” she says.
One client shared a dream of seeing the Minnesota Vikings play the Green Bay Packers in person. His job coach worked with him to make that dream a reality.
With co-workers, work parties and (ideally) a sense of camaraderie, work can be a place of belonging. One service recipient works at Wild State Cider and made it known how much he liked singer Britney Spears. To celebrate his birthday, his co-workers wore Britney t-shirts during a shift.
“Work is instilled in our culture. We’re taught that from our childhood. It shouldn’t be any different for a person with a disability,” says Buchman. “Some have gotten Employee of the Month! That’s pretty wonderful!”
Diversifying Duluth Through Partnerships
CHOICE partners with more than 50 local businesses who provide employment, volunteer opportunities and education to their clients. “Some businesses want to diversify their workforce and others hire because they want people who can meet the skills,” says Buchman.
From breweries, restaurants and hotels to florists and running stores, CHOICE clients are welcomed in the community.
“One client is a runner,” says Buchman. After doing volunteer work in hospitals and Duluth Running, his job coach tried to get him hired at Grandma’s Marathon. “He works at both now. The man sells himself because he’s just incredible,” says Buchman.
Some businesses express concerns about hiring people with disabilities. They fear they may need more support, might call in sick more often or will need expensive accommodations to do the job. But CHOICE’s data proves hiring through them is beneficial for other organizations and for the community.
“The average time a person stays in the job is eight years. The longevity and loyalty are there,” says Buchman.
Barriers to Employment
Unfortunately, there are still many barriers to employment.
“In Duluth, transportation and getting around the community is a barrier,” says Buchman.
There are also financial barriers and an inability to do certain things. There’s also a work force crisis.
“There is a high population of people who need services in this town,” says Buchman. Without enough staff not everyone can be helped in the ways they need.
Despite the concerns and barriers for employment, Buchman feels Duluth is more welcoming. “Duluth has become more inclusive. It’s a big small town that continues to open more and more,” says Buchman.
Identity Beyond Disability
Work can also provide a place of identity. “Some of our clients own their own businesses like Pete Barnett and Debbie Wilcox,” says Buchman. “Now they are seen as having a skill and not just a disability.”
“I had a job in West Duluth,” says Barnett. “Then I was accepted in the CHOICE program. I got a job coach and got involved in their day program.”
Beginning with the walking program and going to the library, Barnett became very interested when CHOICE expanded its arts program. He now makes hats, phone purses and dog/cat toys with loom knitting. Often creating his own ideas, he also gets ideas for new products from YouTube.
“CHOICE helped me set up my business, Crafted by Pete. I got a business license, some help with sales tax and honing my products,” he says. Since 2008, Barnett has become a fixture at farmer’s markets and crafts sales.
“The programs helped me a lot.” Barnett credits the visual arts classes with helping his art to evolve and BOLD-choice Theatre for helping him with public speaking.
“I love talking with my customers!” he says. Though he believes his crafty streak comes from his grandmother. “She painted with pastels. Every time I visited her, she had some sort of craft going.”
Barnett appreciates the creativity that the organization offers. “The people at CHOICE let us express ourselves in so many ways. We have fun with it,” he says.
A member of the BOLD-choice Theatre, he enjoys seeing how each production evolves. He credits the organization for getting him more involved in the community, doing different activities, joining a book club and walking club. “We’re listening to Lord of the Rings while we walk, then track our mileage so we can walk to Mordor, like in the books.”
Consistently thinking about inclusion, Buchman invited Barnett and another client to join the Board of Directors a few years ago. “I am giving the staff and others my perspective,” says Barnett. “I am helping to advocate for my friends and peers. I love how CHOICE has evolved over the years. From not having many concrete programs to having more on the schedule.”
Life-Changing Work
It’s not just the clients who enjoy being at CHOICE, unlimited.
“I’ve never been happier,” says Karen Delamatre, Administrative Assistant. In her role for three years, she credits the people for her sunny mood. “It’s a very positive environment.”
After growing up with an aunt with disabilities, Delarmatre says her favorite part of the job is caring for the clients alongside her co-workers. “They’re just the most amazing people. I learned all their names. I love talking with them, asking how their day is.”
Jordan Larson, Program Support Specialist, also had a family member affected by a disability. “I grew up in a small town, and while there were people with disabilities, we didn’t interact. Now I get to do that every day. And every day they show me how to interact with different kinds of people. I get to teach that to my kids.”
“I tell staff: understand the disability, understand how it affects their life. Then forget about it,” says Buchman. “I don’t think about the people we are serving as having disabilities. I see them as people. We’re all just people.”
This is a common theme at CHOICE. Lindsay LaMontagne, Employment Specialist, says she’s learned to see people for who they are, not their symptoms. “The heart behind our clients is what keeps me in this work.”
“I’ve learned to listen differently,” says Terrie Whitesel, Human Resources Manager, of the clients she works with. “If someone is nonverbal, you have to use other skills to listen to what they’re trying to tell you.”
“If I could hire 10 more people, I would!” says Buchman. “There is a waiting list for our services.” says Buchman.
“We’re always hiring job coaches,” adds Whitesel.
CHOICE, unlimited wants the community to view those with visible disabilities just as they would those with non-visible disabilities. “We’re all different in different ways with different challenges,” says Buchman. “We’re all trying to be a part of the community and have meaningful relationships.”
Rose M. Fife is a musician and freelance writer.
