Forward Horizons - support people w/ disabilities

We now have a PO Box for those who would like to contribute offline!

Forward Horizons, Inc
PO Box 466
Ashland, WI 54806

Forward Horizons, Inc.  formed to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in northern Wisconsin. Forward Horizons is all local, grassroots, born of what was New Horizons North, Inc. established 1968 to serve your community members with dynamic and different abilities.

On April 11th, 2019, The Board of Directors at New Horizons North announced that all human service programs would be phased out and the non-profit would close. In the Disabilities Department, that meant that 21 direct service workers and the 43 people they serve would be sent to the four winds of other agencies. Indeed, for New Horizons North there was no resolving the fiscal issues that arose when the mental health programs lost funding earlier in the year.

But, staff in the Disabilities Department live to adapt! They rallied and made known their desire to stay together. Staff recognized the unique value that their teamwork has for the community. These direct service workers have long-term relationships with each other, the people with disabilities that they serve, and the whole support networks around these individuals. They took their 200+ years combined experience and shared values of self-determination, innovation, and compassion, and said "let's make a new organization!"

So Forward Horizons, Inc. began. Since then, we have formed a Board of Directors and filed as a Chapter 181 Nonstock Corporation with the State of Wisconsin. Start-up funds are now needed before we can officially begin serving people with disabilities. Funds will allow us to file for 501(c)3 non-profit status with the federal government, purchase required supplies from New Horizons North (ADA ramp vans, computers, office supplies, etc.), acquire liability insurance, cover workers comp, pay for initial rent, and more. These funds are needed as soon as possible to ensure continuity of services, and are certainly needed before June 30th, 2019.

At Forward Horizons, staff and the people we aim to serve are your neighbors, friends, classmates, and business patrons here in Ashland and Bayfield counties. And your contribution to this cause supports more than just a start-up service agency, its supports a cornerstone in the community.

Whole-heartedly, we want to say THANK YOU to all our contributors. We are so grateful for your gift!