Friendly hostess transitions from Minn. to Wis.
Applebee's worker in Hudson excels in active role
 | Alicia Nesse, right, has worked at Applebee's restaurants for nine years and thrives in the social role of hostess.
Her sister Katrina, left, is her job coach. |
Alicia Nesse has a sense of humor, a great memory and enjoys the money and experience provided by her work as a hostess at Applebee's in Hudson, Wis.
Though her eyesight has suffered in recent years, her charm has not. "It's like it's her uncle's restaurant. She always tells all the kids they're really cute," said Nesse's sister, Katrina, who serves as her job coach.
The ProAct consumer has been with the major chain for nine years, and transferred to the Hudson location
this year from Cottage Grove. When she's not greeting and chatting with diners in front, visitors may find her rolling kids' menus, prepping silverware or cleaning windows.
"She is funny, smart and a good verbal communicator," said interim Hudson site coordinator LeeAnn Mergens. Some customers are surprised to see Nesse use a cane when she ends her shift and eats lunch. They didn't realize she was blind, Katrina explains.
Sit down at a nearby booth, ask Alicia w  hat number it is. She knows. She's also committed the menu to memory and often upsells customers, letting them know about good things to order.
Learn more about her in the next issue of ProAct's People Achieving newsletter.
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Tight family connection with ProAct
The Lien Family talks about how Amanda, their oldest, has benefited from her 11-year participation with ProAct.
 | | Longtime Eagan consumer Amanda Lien, second from right, with her family at ProAct. |
Living in her own apartment with care attendants, Amanda attends the Eagan program daily. The experience provides two things Amanda loves, a dependable schedule and a place to socialize. "It is a great place," said Kris Lien, her mother. "She has blossomed ... she loves the staff."
Amanda's sisters, Sheena and Melinda, both work at ProAct and her brother is Amanda's personal care attendant in the evening. Get the full story soon in ProAct's People Achieving newsletter.
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Veteran staff member centers on relationships
The dedication and commitment of long-term employees is
 | Case Manager Gloria Bechel,
Red Wing |
something that doesn't go unnoticed at ProAct, and Case Manager Gloria Bechel with the Day Training and Habilitation program in Red Wing is just one example of the value they bring to the organization.
Bechel leads ProAct's Crisis Intervention Training, which has given her a different perspective on her day to day interactions with consumers. "They have issues, physical, emotional, cognitive. They are still people, with wants and needs," she said. "They want to be cared for, want to feel a purpose in life and they want to contribute."
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What is ProAct?
With facilities in Eagan, Red Wing, Zumbrota and Hudson, Wis., ProAct, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation which has served the needs of people with disabilities and other challenges for more than 40 years.
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