John

When John was in his late teens, his family was at a loss as to how to best support him through his mental illness.  John struggled to keep a job and says he often felt lonely and unmotivated. Once John found Tasks Unlimited, he found the stability that has allowed him to become self-reliant, of which he is deeply proud.  

Tasks Unlimited provides supported employment, housing and recovery services for people with mental illness so that they can achieve a full life with the rights and responsibilities of adults in our society.  “Like anyone, Tasks’ clients desire stable long-term employment with good wages. They’re proud of their ability to be self-sufficient and active members of their communities and we’re proud of them,” says Karen Johnston, Executive Director.

At Tasks, clients work together and live together in homes, which they call lodges.  The residents support each other just as a family would, cooking meals for each other, giving advice to each other, making certain everyone is taking their medication, running errands together, having daily check-ins to see how each member is doing, and sharing household duties.  Social connection replaces social isolation, a major issue for people with mental illness.

Two years ago, the loss of a government contract threatened the continued existence of the lodges in Ramsey County.  Many of the residents of those lodges had been with Tasks for over 20 years. A grant from Aroha Philanthropies allowed all 54 clients to remain in their jobs with vocational support and in their lodges.

Tasks is proud to report that during the current year, 100% of clients were employed in stable employment 6 months after they were placed by Tasks, and 98% of clients were able to stay out of the hospital.  

Tasks does not believe there is a quick fix to the challenges people with mental illness face.  Instead, Tasks provides long-term stability to its clients – precisely what they’ve done for John for the past 25 years.

“Communal living at Tasks is much better for me than apartment living. The loneliness gets to be too much. At Tasks, I always have someone to talk to.” – John, Tasks Unlimited client and resident