Achieve participants and guests enjoyed activities including a DJ, Karaoke, and a Dunk Tank. 

On Friday, August 23^rd, 2024, Achieve Services hosted a festive 60-year anniversary celebration at its location in the Blaine Human Services Building. 

The Achieve participants, staff, families, and guests enjoyed a variety of activities including a DJ and dance, karaoke, face painting, temporary tattoos, yard games, a sucker pull with prizes, and a dunk tank. The dunk tank was incredibly popular, as Achieve participants had the chance to dunk eight staff members.  

The week leading up to the celebration event consisted of a spirit week, featuring:  Hawaiian Shirt  Day; Favorite Sports Jersey Day; and a visit from local firefighters from the Blaine – Spring Lake Park – Mounds View Fire Department..  

“We are so proud to celebrate 60 years of service to the disability community” said Tom Weaver, CEO of Achieve Services.  “Our evolution from serving a handful of children with disabilities 60 years ago, to serving more than 175 adults with disabilities today, would not have been possible without the incredible support we’ve received from Anoka County and many generous donors in our community.  Together, we have impacted the lives of thousands of people, providing employment, skill building and recreational opportunities – and helping people lead meaningful and self-determined lives.  We look forward to our next 60 years!” 

Achieve began in 1964 in a church basement where a few mothers, who had children who had disabilities gathered and agreed they needed accommodating childcare for their children with special needs.  

The concern and advocacy of those parents led to the creation of the DAC (Day Activity Center) preschool (what Achieve was called prior to its current name), for children with disabilities. This program became part of Anoka County.  

In the 1970’s, the school districts were given responsibility for children with disabilities through age 21, while institutions for adults with disabilities were shutting down.  So the DAC preschool changed its name to Achieve Services and began providing day programming and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities age 21 and older.  Achieve remained part of the county, and specializing in serving those with highly-complex health needs who other programs often declined to serve.  

In 1991, Achieve moved into our current location in the Blaine Human Services Building off 89^th Avenue and Highway 65, and in 2004 Achieve spun off from the county and became a free-standing nonprofit organization.  

Currently, Achieve is serving more than 175 adults with disabilities and nearly half work in the community at 22 different job sites.  

Check out two recap videos and fun photos from the celebration event and spirit week.