Mission, Vision and Values Statement
BeechWood fosters the well-being of those living with mental health symptoms and/or other disabilities by collaborating in their pursuit of independence and interdependence, the development of new skills and relationships, and the building of community in the Twin Cities metro area.
BeechWood is a nonprofit community-oriented social service organization that delivers on its Mission by offering Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS), and mental health therapy.
We are a diverse team of licensed professionals and skilled specialists committed to providing equitable, ethical, compassionate, and informed person-centered services.
BeechWood provides services based on need with respect for individual autonomy. We develop sincere and genuine relationships with individuals we serve, colleagues, and other agencies to create community. We collaborate to solve problems creatively and resourcefully.
Our BeechWood Community offers services to individuals of all backgrounds. We believe all people have the inalienable right to good health, dignity, and respect as they pursue a life that aligns with their values.
Vision
All individuals have the opportunity to build community, live their values, and achieve their goals.
Values
Empathy: to display empathy in all interactions by acknowledging the experience of others with compassion, kindness, and acceptance.
Trust: to earn trust by always doing the right thing guided by a culture of honesty, respect, responsibility, and accountability.
Advocacy: to passionately advocate for the individuals we serve to access resources for building and sustaining their wellbeing.
Build Community: to co-create an atmosphere of inclusivity and belonging among all those who interact with BeechWood.
Our Story |
BeechWood is a non-profit organization providing services that support individuals with mental/physical limitations live independently in the community. Our programs include: ARMHS (Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services), Mental Health Counseling and Therapy Program and Robert MacIntyre Individual's Assistance Fund.
The quality of our work relies on our capacity for developing sincere and genuine relationships with individuals we serve. We learn from them and together solve problems creatively. This also makes us different. |
Our History |
BeechWood, Inc. traces its origins back to 1999 when Kathy Beecher and Linda Woodford recognized a gap in the community's support services landscape. Their vision led to the establishment of BeechWood with the mission of providing comprehensive support beyond the confines of traditional group homes, aimed at fostering independent living. Within just one year of its inception, BeechWood had expanded to encompass ten Independent Living Skills (ILS) programs—later rebranded as Individualized Home Supports (IHS) with training—serving a diverse clientele with the assistance of four dedicated staff members. Over time, this program flourished, extending its reach to over 100 clients. However, the landscape shifted dramatically in December 2023 when BeechWood faced the challenging decision to shutter the IHS program. This closure was necessitated by a confluence of factors, including severe reimbursement cuts and staffing shortages exacerbated by the enduring challenges of the pandemic. Despite efforts to sustain the program using cash reserves, the organization ultimately had to make the difficult choice to cease operations, marking the end of an era for BeechWood's pioneering support initiatives.
In 2013, our dedicated staff at BeechWood initiated the Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) program with a vision to provide essential support to individuals in need. Over the years, this program has grown to serve approximately 100 clients, primarily in Hennepin County, demonstrating its effectiveness and impact on the community. Building on our success and commitment to enhancing accessibility to crucial services, we are thrilled to announce our expansion efforts for the ARMHS program. This year, we are extending our reach to include other counties in the Twin Cities area, allowing us to offer our valuable services to a broader population in need. This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for BeechWood, as we continue to strive towards our mission of empowering individuals and fostering independence through comprehensive support services. We look forward to serving even more clients and making a positive difference in their lives as we embark on this new phase of growth and outreach. Our mission from the beginning was simple: to help individuals live independently by providing supportive services, training, advocacy and supervision. Kathy served as BeechWood’s Associate Director for the first 8 years of the organization and her partner and co-founder, Linda Woodford, served as Executive Director. |
From our
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“It’s a privilege to journey with BeechWood’s clients as they live their lives. You meet a lot of inspiring people, all of whom live with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities doing it with such grace--people who want the same things as everyone else-love, happiness, and friendship. It’s wonderful, wonderful work.” - Kathy Beecher “We are steadfast in our commitment to help people live their independent lives. Living your own life may sound so easy…and for most of us it is, but for our clients who face significant physical and mental issues, living alone is not always an option. And to dislodge anyone from their our home, if there is a choice, is a concept that we do not find acceptable. Many, many people can be helped simply by providing services to help them stay in their own home. That is what BeechWood does through supportive services, counseling, advocacy and more, and will continue to do as long as possible. The challenges we confront are not small and every day all of us, both staff and clients face obstacles that seem huge, but we persevere and together believe we will remain the champions for many who have difficulty finding their own voice.” - Linda Woodford |