“I truly cherish the time I spent working at Legacies: working with clients, making friends with fellow staff, and developing professional relationships with the management team. In my time at Legacies, I learned so many skills that will help contribute to my future career in the Social Work field. I learned how to be quick with problem-solving and how to form connections with a wide variety of people. Though I struggled working with a few clients at first, I took the time to learn about their diagnoses and backgrounds in order to understand them better and provide better services. The main reason I was accepted for a job right after graduation was due to the experience I had gained while working at Legacies!”
Andrea ‘AJ’ LaFond
"I cannot thank Legacies, LLC, enough for taking a chance on the 18 year old with a big dream. Legacies allowed me the ability to put my dream into action and begin working and building my experience in the human services field. Legacies gave me the foundation to get to where I am today and solidified that I was on the right path with my career. The clients, staff, management and community partners in Winona, MN, have left a lasting impact that will never be forgotten. Thank you, Legacies!"
Ashley Merchlewitz
"I really enjoyed working as a group home supervisor at Legacies. I worked with a diverse population of people, both staff and the people we served. It gave me great supervisory work experience, as well as experience working with people living with mental health struggles. Because of the time I spent at Legacies, I have a better understanding for patients at my current position in the Psychology Department at Mayo Clinic, as well as people I encounter in my daily life."
Blair Sharp
"Legacies was an absolutely wonderful opportunity for me, especially as a college student trying to figure out what I wanted to pursue in life. Legacies taught me the foundational skills for working with and communicating with individuals in all aspects of my community. I was fortunate enough to experience working direct care with children in their home and community, as well as support adults in group homes live their lives to their fullest potential. After only a few short months working at Legacies, I officially had changed my education and career path to focus on supporting these individuals and have continued to do so. Getting to see these individuals grow and support themselves with independence has made such a positive impact on my life. These experiences gave me the motivation and passion to graduate, to continue education, and to continue serving my community in positive ways."
Cassidy Kotenbeutel, MA Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders
"When I started working at Legacies, I was a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and a college student at Winona State University. While working, I not only practiced the skill of managing my busy schedule, I also matured as an adult and was shed light on a population with a unique need. Being a DSP enforced all of the skills and values I was taught as a kid growing up and working at Legacies taught me the value of helping others in need.
Working at Legacies gave me the opportunity to work in a working environment that will be hard to surpass throughout my chosen career path. The skills I obtained at Legacies will be used and carried with me for years throughout my career. After I graduated with a Social Work Degree, Legacies gave me the opportunity and I was promoted to be a Designated Coordinator (DC). Being a DC I was able to watch both my staff and clients grow into stronger individuals. In my current Position as a Child Protection Social Worker, I look at the situations and problems through a different lens. When working through any problem, whether it is in my personal or professional life, working at Legacies has taught me patience with knowing that every problem has a positive solution."
Jon Kluver
“Legacies has forever changed my life in so many ways; it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had! Working at Legacies is a great way to make an impact on the people and the community in which you go to school. You learn so many skills that you can carry with you for the rest of your life. Through my time with Legacies, I further developed important skills like patience, problem solving, and how to keep your cool under pressure. There can be some really tough days, but when you work through situations with your clients, it makes the good days feel even better! I never realized how much of an impact I made on some of my clients until I was leaving, and you could tell that they weren’t just losing a staff, but a role model and someone they trusted and looked up to. My job at Legacies was a blessing to me, and I hope that others experience what a great company Legacies is and will continue to be.”
Jon Tensen
"There were many reasons I enjoyed working at Legacies and later down the road it helped in getting me a position as a Special Education teacher. One of the reasons I enjoyed working there was because of their staff. They truly made you feel a part of their team, and were very open to helping you succeed. They were willing to help in training and also there for support when difficult situations may arise with clients. I also appreciated the many events and activities that they planned to better support our clients.
After working at Legacies, I used my knowledge and experiences to help me get a career in Special Education. I was able to use personal experience with managing different behaviors to help react to those types of situations. I had also learned how to use behavior modification systems while working at Legacies and was able to transfer that over to my classroom."
Kari Sheahan
"Working at Legacies has been the most rewarding job. Knowing that you are a positive influence in your clients' life is a feeling that you just can't beat. Our clients need this in their lives. Some days are harder than others, but at the end of the day it is all worth it, knowing that you are building a professional, positive relationship with your clients."
Kayla Dornfeld
"I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for all of your training and mentorship during my
time at Legacies. Because of my training and experience I was able to de-escalate a situation and a child before things got worse when other staff did not know what to do. Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the practical skills and communication methods taught at Legacies because they really are helping me everywhere I go!"Kayleigh Cleveland
"Legacies allowed me to have a flexible schedule while attending college and provided me with the opportunity to work with a diverse group of clients. The training and job duties teach important skills, which lead me to build up a resume very fitting for somebody wishing to work in the human services field! Legacies teaches you to care for individuals of all abilities; without them I would not be where I am in my career serving individuals with mental illness."
Kellie Shawback Senior Mental Health Practitioner at Family & Childrens Center - Hiawatha Hall.
"For almost two years now Legacies has been my place of employment. I have learned so much from working with each designated coordinator, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with each of my clients. Having a job is one thing but preparing for a career is something greater, and I am thankful to be a part of an agency focused on building individuals. Legacies is a community and a place of growth for everyone—clients and employees alike. We learn so much from each other and even after I have moved on from this job, I will look back at my experiences as a DSP and know that this is where my career started. Legacies will always be the place where I found my passion to serve others."
Taylor Fish
“Legacies was such an amazing company to work for while getting my Social Work degree through Winona State. It began to teach me why I got into the field I did. During all my interviews to get my first “big girl jobs” after college, Legacies was brought up during every single one of them. I had so many examples to situational questions that I had gotten to experience hands-on by working at Legacies. The people I worked with made going to work in college fun. I truly thank my job at Legacies for shaping me into the social worker I am today. Still to this day I find myself thinking of the kiddos I worked with, wondering how they’re doing, and what they’re up to. Each and every one of the kids I worked with has impacted my life and my career!”
Whitney Wilson, LSW
When I first applied at Legacies I was hoping to gain experience and to build my resume. I can say without a doubt that Legacies has given me so much more than that. While mentoring my clients and building positive relationship, we are able to go swimming, hiking, and participate in community events. Legacies is not like any other company, it’s one giant family. There has not been a time where I haven’t felt fully supported by other co-workers, managers, or HR. I have seen so much growth within myself and knowledge for my future career. Helping individuals see their potential everyday truly is the best job.
Bekah Schomberg
Since I began working with Legacies in Setember, I have felt very welcomed as a valued member of a family team. I also substitute teach and often overhear students, K-12, speaking among themselves. It feels so good to hear their positive exchanges concerning Legacies; these students were excited and looked forward to meeting with their Legacies staff after school! Yay for Legacies!
Debby Klages
When I first came to Legacies I thought what set it apart was the family like environment of all the staff and kids, what I didn't realize is the definition of family that it created. Legacies isn't the type of family that calls each other on their birthdays and forgets they exist till the holidays. Legacies is more of the mom that annoys their child with love notes in the school lunches. Legacies is the sibling that comes knocking on your door at 10pm with ice cream because they know you had a bad day. What I realized is that Legacies is the family that demonstrates what it means on a daily basis to be selfless and unconditional.
Josh Natzke
I am so thankful for my time at Legacies. I am extremely grateful for and will always cherish the relationships I formed with clients and coworkers. I consider myself fortunate to have been in an environment where I was encouraged to grow each day.
Jake Kirschner
My time at Legacies was such an amazing experience and opportunity for growth, not only for my skills but for me as a person. Working at Legacies has taught me so many valuable lessons that I still use to this day. No matter what field of study you are in, Legacies will give you the ability, and insight, of what working with clients of all ages, diagnosis, and demographics looks like. I spent almost two years working at Legacies, and within that time I got the opportunity to really make a difference in the clients lives I worked with. Not only that, they really made a difference in my life as well. It is such a rewarding experience to help others grow into someone they want to become. Legacies helped prepare me for the field of Social Work, and because of my experience at Legacies finding job opportunities has been very easy after they see my role at Legacies on my resume. To anyone who is looking for a job that will provide growth in skill set, interpersonal skills, and a rewarding experience, Legacies is the place where all that and more are possible.
Josh Hylland
At Legacies, I truly felt valued as an employee. I developed so many skills and formed so many relationships during my time as a Direct Support Professional. If you are looking for a job where you can make a difference while growing as a person, this is the perfect job and working environment for you!
Daphne Strauben
I am incredibly thankful for the time I spent at Legacies! I worked as a Direct Support Professional for about a year and a half, and the relationships I formed with my clients is something that I will never forget. This company allows you to make a direct impact on those in the community, and you can truly see the difference you are making. Legacies is like a family, and I will forever be grateful for the experiences I had with so many different people!
Hanna Nest
Working at Legacies has provided me with great experiences and lessons. I've learned a lot about myself through this job. I've greatly improved my interpersonal skills, communication skills, and confidence! This is great experience for those wanting to work in a psychology/social work field. I personally want to be a counseling psychologist and this job has helped me reach that decision!
Kailee Smith
I began employment with Legacies in 2019 as a Direct support Professional. Over the course of my three years with Legacies, I have had the opportunity to advance as a Lead Staff and now am a Residential Site Supervisor. Through training and connections, employees are constantly learning ways and approaches to best support the people we serve. Ongoing support from the Legacies management team and staff, both personally and professionally, has played an integral part of my growth, challenged me to strive for more and go beyond my comfort zone.
Katie LeGere
Working at legacies challenged and changed my perspective of the world. I learned I have the power to change lives in profound ways. I was given the privilege to watch people grow. The DSP job taught me about myself. By helping others day after day, I personally learned self help skills and behaviors I had taught others. This work is so much more than a paycheck; I learned many valuable lessons and I made several cherished relationships. I will carry this experience far into my future.
Erica Madland
While being a full-time student at Winona State and searching for a job in the Winona area, it was important for me to find a company that allowed me to apply my coursework as a movement science major and psychology minor to support individuals who are often underserved and considered most vulnerable in our society. Therefore, after discovering Legacies at a career fair I had determined this was the company I could accomplish this at. My two and a half years working as a Direct Support Professional was dedicated to supporting my clients to develop independent living skills so they can lead fulfilling goal-oriented lives. What I did not understand when discovering the company was how much of an impact this place of work would have on me as a student with a goal of one day becoming an occupational therapist. My job at Legacies has been nothing but a positive experience. The amount of support given to staff and clients has allowed me to grow into the individual that I am today. I was able to walk beside clients that truly strive to use our services to better themselves and surpass all the goals I had in mind for our time together. I was able to impact my clients in so many aspects, yet they left one of the biggest impacts on me. I will always remember each of the roles the clients and staff had in starting my career path.
Kenley Pehrson
I am currently lead staff at one of Legacies' group homes. It's so refreshing to work in a supportive environment not only for clients, but for staff as well. Working here is a truly rewarding experience, knowing you're helping clients reach their goals.Samantha S.
It's amazing to be a part of a community and workforce that uplifts you in your individual work. The job itself can have its challenges, but is also very rewarding at the end of the day.
Anna Kvasova
Working at Legacies has taught me to become more person centered, confident, and compassionate. The work we do whether it is sitting with your client and watching them fish or active listening when they are upset; big or small, it truly makes a difference in their lives. Being a friendly face and reliable for your clients is sometimes all they need to turn their day around. The skills I have learned at Legacies like documentation, redirection, and so much more, I will take with me in my future social work careers.
Elizabeth Caucutt
