INTRODUCING GLOWING EMBERS TRANSFORMATIONAL SERVICES, LLC
About Us
After creating Rising Phoenix, Chris and Sarah knew that their work was not done. They knew that while CCS has a great reach, there are other populations that need help, and many people fall through the cracks. Such was the story of their adopted son, Jose. Unwilling to be limited to only working with CCS clientele and wanting to help families like their own, Chris and Sarah created a second agency with access to the same high-quality team of providers. Glowing Embers Transformational Services was born.
Glowing Embers by design is flexible, nimble, and creative. We can utilize any interested funding stream, which thus far includes: Children’s Long Term Support Waiver (CLTS) and direct contracts with county human services departments. It is our hope that our list of county partners and funding streams grows in the months and years ahead, and if you are from such an entity, we would welcome a discussion with you.
In the Children’s Long Term Support Waiver program, Glowing Embers works under the following service arrays: Family and Unpaid Caregiver Supports, Health and Wellness, Daily Living Skills Training, Empowerment and Self-Determination, and Communication Assistance for Community Inclusion. We currently offer individual services in all of these arrays and are working on development of a number of group service options.
Direct county contracted services are designed to fill gaps left by CCS and CLTS. Services include: IEP Support and Advocacy, Translation Services (Spanish, and soon to add ASL and Hmong), and CCS Mimicking Services for recipients who are either ineligible but still needing services or those who are eligible but on a waitlist for CCS services. For recipients who receive CCS Mimicking Services through Glowing Embers, they will be able to keep their same contracted provider when they change over to CCS funding, only through Rising Phoenix rather than Glowing Embers, allowing for a seamless continuation of services.
To make a referral, please do so here: Provider Match Inquiry
If you decide to send a referral our way, you’ll be interacting with Director Chris Thomason or Assistant Director Sarah Altena..
Our contact info is as follows:
Email: getsadmin@risingphoenixwi.com, cthomason@risingphoenixwi.com
Phone: (715) 619-6506
We look forward to hearing from you!
VISION:
A community in which people with differing abilities thrive, enjoying a strong sense of purpose, connection, and belonging.
MISSION:
To rekindle hope and empower our clients to thrive within their community.
VALUES:
Integrity: We do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
Respect: We know our place and meet our clients where they are at.
Service: A humble approach is essential. We are here to serve.
Change: We are agents of change, helping our clients to transform their lives.
Resilience: Life is hard; we teach people to persevere.
Community: Integration into one’s community is a vital human need.
Independence: This is tied directly to one’s ability to thrive. The ultimate goal of our supports is to increase independence and be no longer needed.
Excellence: Our clients deserve our BEST, and our best must always be improving.
MEET THE TEAM
CHRIS THOMASON, MPA, BS, DIRECTOR
SARAH ALTENA, BS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
SARAH ALTENA, BS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Based in St. Croix County
Martial Arts and Self-defense
Tai Chi, Meditation, and Breathwork
Life Skills and Coping Strategies for Teen and Young Adult Males
Wellness and the Outdoors
Parent Coaching for Dads
SARAH ALTENA, BS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
SARAH ALTENA, BS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
SARAH ALTENA, BS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Based in St. Croix County
Parent Coaching
Attachment and Bonding
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Working with and Teaching Kids
D’ANGELO ALTENA
SARAH ALTENA, BS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
D’ANGELO ALTENA
Based in Eau Claire County
Lived Experience– Foster Care, Adoption, and Attachment Trauma
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Fitness and the Outdoors
Social Skill Development
PAUL WURTZ, BS
MELANIE PETERSON, BSW
D’ANGELO ALTENA
Based in Pepin County
Martial Arts and Self-defense
Tai Chi, Meditation, and Breathwork
Music- Guitar Instruction
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Wellness, Sports and the Outdoors
MELANIE PETERSON, BSW
MELANIE PETERSON, BSW
MELANIE PETERSON, BSW
Based in St. Croix County
Children and Families
Parent Coaching
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Wellness, Sports and the Outdoors
AMY WELLS, BS
MELISSA LINDOFF, BSW
LAURA KRUEGER, BA
Based in Polk County
Working with At-Risk Youth
Parent Coaching
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Outdoorsmanship
LAURA KRUEGER, BA
MELISSA LINDOFF, BSW
LAURA KRUEGER, BA
Based in St. Croix County
Parent Coaching
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Working with people with co-occurring Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health
GLBT Advocacy
Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Special Ed Background
MELISSA LINDOFF, BSW
MELISSA LINDOFF, BSW
MELISSA LINDOFF, BSW
Based in St. Croix County
Parent Coaching
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Working with people with Autism
Working with people with co-occurring Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health
Special Ed Background
SHAWNA WARNER, CPS
SHAWNA WARNER, CPS
MELISSA LINDOFF, BSW
Based in St. Croix County
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Substance Use Recovery
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Breathwork and Meditation
Parent Coaching (Transition Management)
JOSH RADOMSKY
SHAWNA WARNER, CPS
PAULA THIELEN, MS
Based in Polk County
Working with Youth who have Trauma and Behavioral Issues
Life Skills Instruction: Automotive and Small Engines, Carpentry, and Animal Care
Lived Experience
Outdoorsmanship
Parent Coaching for Dads
PAULA THIELEN, MS
SHAWNA WARNER, CPS
PAULA THIELEN, MS
Based in Bloomington, MN
Addiction Recovery
Ex-Offender Reintegration
Working with People in Severe Trauma/Abuse
Cognitive Skills
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Anger Management
DAWN WEBB, BS
BRIANNA NOYOLA
BRIANNA NOYOLA
Based in Chippewa County
Health and Wellness
Parent Coaching (esp. Teenage Parents)
Licensed Teacher
Lived Experience
Outdoor Integration
Life Skills Instruction
BRIANNA NOYOLA
BRIANNA NOYOLA
BRIANNA NOYOLA
Based in Dunn County
Hispanic Populations (Spanish translator)
Parent Coaching
Lived Experience
Life Skills Instruction
Wellness Instruction, Yoga, and Outdoors
GINA BROWN
BRIANNA NOYOLA
DAWN LARSON, BS
Based in Barron County
Working with people with co-occurring Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health
Meditation, Breath, Mindfulness, and Yoga
Parent Coaching and Organizational Skills
Life Coaching and Life Skills Instruction
Therapeutic use of Art and Photography
DAWN LARSON, BS
MELISSA BOCKMAN, BS
DAWN LARSON, BS
Based in Polk County
Parent Coaching
Special Education Background
Lived Experience
Outdoorsmanship
Domestic Abuse Recovery
Life Skills Instruction
MELISSA BOCKMAN, BS
MELISSA BOCKMAN, BS
MELISSA BOCKMAN, BS
Based in Polk County
Chemical Dependency/AODA Recovery
Parent Coaching
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Lived Experience
Health and Wellness
Life Skills Instruction
WAYNE SARAFIN
MELISSA BOCKMAN, BS
MELISSA BOCKMAN, BS
Based in St. Croix County
Physical Health and Wellness Coaching
Boxing, Martial Arts, and Self-Defense
Personal Training
Life Coaching
Chemical Dependency Recovery
KELSEY SULLIVAN, BA, RN
KELSEY SULLIVAN, BA, RN
KELSEY SULLIVAN, BA, RN
Based in Bloomington, MN
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
Healthy Eating and Physical Wellness
Parent Coaching and Organizational Skills
Life Skills Instruction
Therapeutic use of Art and Dance
CAIT FAULKNER, BS
KELSEY SULLIVAN, BA, RN
KELSEY SULLIVAN, BA, RN
Based in St. Croix County
Skills Instruction for Youth Populations
Lived Experience
Wellness Instruction– Fitness and Strength Training
Outdoor Integration
SAM ROESKE, BS
DAMIEN DUNBAR RUTHERFORD
NOLAN SOUDERS, BS
Based in Dunn County
Skills Instruction for Youth Populations
Lived Experience
Wellness Instruction– Fitness and Strength Training
Outdoor Integration
NOLAN SOUDERS, BS
DAMIEN DUNBAR RUTHERFORD
NOLAN SOUDERS, BS
Based in Dunn County
Skills Instruction for Youth Populations
Lived Experience
Wellness Instruction
Outdoor Integration
DAMIEN DUNBAR RUTHERFORD
DAMIEN DUNBAR RUTHERFORD
DAMIEN DUNBAR RUTHERFORD
Based in Dunn County
Lived Experience
Skills Instruction for Youth
Outdoor Integration and Wellness
Community Integration and Social Skills
JAXON ALTENA
LYDIA NEWLIN, MPA, BS
JAXON ALTENA
Based in St. Croix County
Skills Instruction for Youth Populations
Lived Experience
Wellness Instruction– Fitness and Strength Training
Outdoor Integration
NICK BUELL
LYDIA NEWLIN, MPA, BS
JAXON ALTENA
Based in Eau Claire County
Wellness and Outdoorsmanship
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Substance Use Recovery
Lived Experience
Male Youth Populations
LYDIA NEWLIN, MPA, BS
LYDIA NEWLIN, MPA, BS
LYDIA NEWLIN, MPA, BS
Based in St. Croix County
Ex-Offender Reintegration
Working with Survivors of Trauma (Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Families of Homicide Victims).
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Chemical Dependency Recovery
Teaching Appropriate Sexual Boundaries
Anger Management Skills
Parent Coaching
JERRY KOLPIEN, CPS
JERRY KOLPIEN, CPS
LYDIA NEWLIN, MPA, BS
Based in Dunn County
Substance Use Recovery
Peer Support
Outdoorsmanship
Ex-Offender Reintegration
Parent Coaching
APRIL BLAND, CPS
JERRY KOLPIEN, CPS
APRIL BLAND, CPS
Based in Eau Claire County
Substance Use Recovery Coaching (CCAR)
Peer Support
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Ex-Offender Reintegration
Mindfulness, Yoga, and Meditation
Outdoor Integration
DONOVAN CAREY, MS, LPC
HOLLY MANS, MS, LPC, SAC
HOLLY MANS, MS, LPC, SAC
Based in Bloomington, MN
Individual Therapy
Family Therapy
Parent Coaching
Mental Health Disorders
Substance Abuse
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
HOLLY MANS, MS, LPC, SAC
HOLLY MANS, MS, LPC, SAC
HOLLY MANS, MS, LPC, SAC
Based in Scandia, MN
Individual Therapy
Substance Abuse Counseling
Family Therapy
Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
JASON TERWEY, BSW
HOLLY MANS, MS, LPC, SAC
JASON TERWEY, BSW
Based in St. Croix County
Ex-Offender Reintegration
Working with People with Severe Trauma and Associated Diagnoses (PTSD, RAD, ODD, CD, APD).
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Chemical Dependency Recovery
Teaching Appropriate Sexual Boundaries
Anger Management Skills
MICHAEL MAYO, BSW
MEL DEGENHARDT, CPS
JASON TERWEY, BSW
Based in Dunn County
Substance Use Recovery
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Lived Experience
Outdoorsmanship
Music (guitar)
Crisis Background
MEL DEGENHARDT, CPS
MEL DEGENHARDT, CPS
MEL DEGENHARDT, CPS
Based in Eau Claire County
Substance Use Recovery Coaching (CCAR)
Peer Support
Parent Coaching, esp. involving Recovery Court or CHIPS reunification
Ex-Offender Reintegration
Outdoor Integration
ALICIA KNUTSON, BS
MEL DEGENHARDT, CPS
MEL DEGENHARDT, CPS
Based in Polk County
Substance Use Recovery/Co-occurring AODA and Mental Health
Parent Coaching
Navigating Programs and Community Resources to Meet Needs
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Outdoorsmanship and Wellness
SHEILA SACK, BS
SHEILA SACK, BS
SHEILA SACK, BS
Based in St. Croix County
Parent Coaching
Lived Experience
Co-dependency
Domestic Abuse Recovery
Life Skills and Coping Strategies
Navigating Major Transitions