Organizational News
The following news articles pertain to Meridian Services, Zenith Services, and Orion Associates and Orion ISO.
Headwaters Relief Organization Responds to the Flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
June through July 2008
On June 12, 2008, the rain-swollen Cedar River poured over its banks into the homes and businesses of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The resulting devastation was overwhelming. It was estimated that one hundred blocks of Cedar Rapids, including four thousand homes, were under water. The flooding was above 500 year levels, in what the National Weather Service called a “historic hydrological event.”
In response to this disaster, Headwaters Relief Organization called for volunteers and organized six trips with a total of fifty volunteers who gave of their time, energy and enthusiasm to serve the people of Cedar Rapids, from late June through the end of July.
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Cheryl Vennerstrom Recognized by More Magazine, on More.com, as an “Inspiring Friend”
June 2008
Cheryl Vennerstrom, Chief Operating Officer, Orion Associates, was recognized by More magazine, on More.com, as an “Inspiring Friend.” Cheryl was nominated by Rebecca Thomley, Chief Executive Officer, Orion Associates.
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Orion Associates Receives a “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award”
April 2008
Orion Associates was one of five Minnesota organizations to receive a “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award,” presented by the Minnesota Psychological Association.
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Rebecca Hage Thomley Receives the Minnesota Psychological Association’s “Community Involvement Award”
April 2008
Rebecca Hage Thomley, Orion Associates’ Chief Executive Officer, received a “Community Involvement Award” from the Minnesota Psychological Association, on April 25, 2008, in recognition of her work in founding and leading the River of Hope project and for her efforts in the creation of the Headwaters Relief Organization.
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“A River of Hope” Returns to New Orleans Two Years After Our First Relief Trip
November 2007
Zenith Services volunteers returned to New Orleans with the “A River of Hope” project, over Thanksgiving weekend, November 24-27, 2007 to assist with the ongoing rebuilding efforts in the city. This trip was undertaken on the second anniversary of our first trip to the Ninth Ward and was our ninth large group trip to New Orleans taken since Hurricane Katrina devastated a large part of the Gulf coast.
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The Headwaters Volunteer Project Emerges from the “A River of Hope” Project, and Volunteers Assist With the Recovery Efforts in Rushford Minnesota
September 2007
The Headwaters service volunteer project is the newly incorporated service organization of the Orion Associates, Meridian Services, Zenith Services, Orion Intermediary Services Organization family of companies. As a non-profit volunteer organization, Headwaters’ goal will be to continue the work begun by “A River of Hope,” providing a means to bring volunteers to serve at future disasters, in other locations, as the need arises.
Over Labor Day weekend 2007, volunteers experienced in Rushford, Minnesota work that was very similar to our efforts in New Orleans after Katarina; gutting homes, cleaning up debris, and responding to families in need.
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The Two Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina: “A River of Hope” Volunteers Make Eighth Trip to New Orleans
September 2007
Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans over two years later, yet some areas of New Orleans remain devastated and abandoned. There is still a staggering amount of work that needs to be to be done. The “River of Hope” project volunteers responded to this need by returning to New Orleans for an eighth major relief trip, to assist with the rebuilding efforts, over the weekend of September 14th to 17th.
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Rebecca Hage Thomley Chosen as “A Woman to Watch”
July 2007
The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal chose Rebecca Thomley, Chief Executive Officer of Orion Associates and its affiliated companies, as “A Woman to Watch” in their July 2007 “Women in Business” issue. She was honored at a luncheon sponsored by the publication at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel on July 25, 2007.
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Our Fifth Annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity
March 2007
Our organization's consumers and employees gathered together, once again, as Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services held its Fifth Annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity, on March 12th, at the Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple Grove.Read Full Story
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“A River of Hope” Construction Crews Return to New Orleans
March 2007
“A River of Hope” volunteers returned to New Orleans over the weekend of March 3rd through the 6th, to assist with the ongoing rebuilding efforts in the city. This was our seventh trip to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina devastated a large part of the Gulf coast. While our organization was well represented by nine of our employees, the majority of thirty-two volunteers were building professionals who worked on rebuilding a number of community structures in the Ninth Ward. Fourteen of the volunteers were returning to New Orleans and eight were volunteering for the first time. The businesses and educational institution represented included Glacier Plumbing, of Cedar, Minnesota, Tech Builders, Pratt Homes, and Dunwoody Institute.
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We would like to announce that “Groove Thing,” a new attraction in the Park at the Mall of America, is our organization’s latest project!
January 2007
We would like to announce that “Groove Thing,” a new attraction in the Park at the Mall of America, is our organization’s latest project!
“Groove Thing” is a video entertainment system that utilizes high tech video equipment. Customers can select from a wide variety of music videos and our staff record them with their larger than life heads superimposed on dancing bodies. The experience is a lot of fun for everyone and the customers get to take home a hilarious DVD.
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“A River of Hope” Opens a Free Mental Health Resources Center
January 2007
“A River of Hope” has opened a free Mental Health Resource Center in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, in January, to meet the needs of residents recovering from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The center is staffed by volunteer social workers from Minnesota as well as national mental health professionals.
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A Year After Our First Trip, “A River of Hope” Returns to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up and Rebuilding
November 2006
The “River of Hope” volunteers returned to New Orleans for a sixth time, over the weekend of November 18th through the 21st, to continue to assist with the ongoing clean up and rebuilding efforts in the city. This was the largest of the “River of Hope” trips, and included sixty-seven volunteers.
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As the Deadline Approaches, “A River of Hope” Returns to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up
August 2006
Our “River of Hope” volunteers returned to New Orleans in early August to continue to assist with the clean up and rebuilding efforts in the Ninth Ward, east New Orleans, and Saint Bernard’s Parish. This was the organization’s fifth trip to the region.
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“A River of Hope” Relief Project: Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services Employees Return to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up Over Fathers’ Day Weekend
June 2006
Joined by general contractors, plumbers, and electricians, our “River of Hope” volunteers traveled to New Orleans over Father’s Day weekend to assist with the clean up and rebuilding efforts in the Ninth Ward and Saint Bernard’s Parish. This was our organization’s fourth trip to the region.
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“A River of Hope” Relief Project: The Work Continues
June 2006
Long after the flood has subsided, the work continues. A River of Hope Relief Project is well defined in the following article, written by Beth Schoeppler.
Bringing
A River of Hope *
(Adobe PDF Format - 295kb)
*Requires Adobe Reader. 
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Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services are Awarded Another Three-Year CARF Accreditation!
March 2006
We are pleased to announce that CARF, the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission, has reaccredited Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services for another three years!
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“A River of Hope” Relief Project: Our Organization is Joined by Community Volunteers and United States Senator Mark Dayton as We Return to New Orleans for a Third Time to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up
March 2006
Orion Associates, Meridian Services Zenith Services employees returned to New Orleans over the weekend of March 24th through 28th to assist with the clean up and rebuilding efforts in the Ninth Ward and St. Bernard’s Parish. This time, we were joined by volunteer contractors, plumbers, roofers and electricians, as well as by United States Senator Mark Dayton.
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“A River of Hope” Relief Project: Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services Employees Return to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up Over the Martin Luther King, Junior Weekend
January 2006
Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services sent 35 employees to New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to help with clean up efforts after Hurricane Katrina, over Thanksgiving weekend, November 25 to 28, 2005. We are returning over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, January 13-16, 2006 to provide additional clean up assistance.
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Marya Hage Recognized as a Minnesota Trendsetter
January 2006
Marya Hage, our organization’s founder, was recognized as a Minnesota Trendsetter in the January 2006 edition of Minnesota Monthly’s semi-annual profile of the regions leading companies and their key executives.
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“A River of Hope” Relief Project: Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services Send Employees to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up Over Thanksgiving Weekend
November 2005
Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services sent thirty-five employees and volunteers to New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to help with clean up efforts after Hurricane Katrina, over Thanksgiving weekend, November 25 to 28, 2005.
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Our Fourth Annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity!
November 2005
On Thursday, November 3rd, Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services hosted its fourth annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity at the Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple Grove.
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Rebecca Hage Thomley’s Work with the American Red Cross Inspires the Founding of “A River of Hope”
October 2005
Dr. Rebecca Hage Thomley has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross for over twelve years. In her most recent assignment, she was sent to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina to work as a psychologist.
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Our Third Annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity!
February 2005
On Wednesday, February 16th, Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services hosted its third annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity. Once again, the celebration was held at the Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple Grove.
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Our Organization Celebrates its Twenty-Fifth Anniversary
January 2005
January 2005 marks our organization’s twenty-fifth anniversary! Marya Hage founded Meridian Services, the company that began our organization, in 1980, as one of the first Semi-Independent Living Skills (SILS) providers in Minnesota.
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Our Metropolitan Office Holds an Open House!
May, 2004
Our Metropolitan Office held an Open House on May 19, 2004 to celebrate the move to our new location.
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Our Metropolitan Office Moves to Golden Valley
November, 2003
We are excited about the many ways our new location allows us to improve our services. To read more about our new ammenities, click here.
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Our Second Annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity!
October, 2003
On Wednesday, October 22nd, Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services hosted a Celebration of Cultural Diversity at the Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple Grove.
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Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services are Awarded a Three-Year CARF Accreditation!
March, 2003
CARF has announced that Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services have been accredited for a period of three years for its Personal and Social Services (Vocational Services), Family Services (In-Home Services), and Community Living Services (Residential Services and SILS).
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Our First Annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity!
July, 2002
On Wednesday, July 31, 2002, Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith Services hosted a Celebration of Cultural Diversity.
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Members of the Organizations’ Top Administration Complete a Graduate Program and Receive Master of Arts Degrees in Organizational Management
May, 2002
We are pleased to announce that Rebecca Thomley, our organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Hage, our Chief Administrative Officer, Cheryl Vennerstrom, our Chief Operating Officer, and Leann Thompson, our senior Program Administrator, completed their studies in a graduate program at Concordia University, Saint Paul, Minnesota, and received Master of Arts degrees in Organizational Management.
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Orion Associates Hosts a Leadership Symposium “Building Community Through Leadership”
February, 2002
In February 2002, Orion Associates hosted a leadership symposium entitled, Building Community Through Leadership.
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Marya Hage, our Organization’s Founder, Serves at the Pentagon after 9/11
September, 2001
Following the September 11th terrorist attack on New York and Washington, Marya Hage was called to serve at the Pentagon, and was there from September 16th to September 29th.