Floodwood Services and Training (FST): More Than Meets the Eye
June 2026 • Voyageur Press
Floodwood Services and Training (FST) has been a cornerstone of northeastern Minnesota for nearly five decades, providing opportunities, support, and dignity to individuals with developmental disabilities, older adults, caregivers, and families throughout the region. What began as a grassroots effort by determined parents has grown into a comprehensive nonprofit organization whose impact extends far beyond its original mission.
FST was founded in 1977 when a group of local parents recognized a critical gap in services for their adult children with developmental disabilities. At that time, few programs existed for individuals once they reached adulthood, leaving families with limited options for care, training, and meaningful daily activities. Seeking both respite for caregivers and opportunities for their children to thrive, these parents established Floodwood Services and Training to provide structured programming close to home.
The response from the community was immediate. As more families sought services, FST expanded both its programs and staff, steadily growing into an organization dedicated to helping people live fuller, more independent lives.
Throughout its history, FST has continually evolved in response to community needs. In 1999, after hearing from area caregivers, the organization introduced Adult Day Services, providing seniors and adults with disabilities transportation, nutritious meals, social interaction, recreation, and supervised activities while giving family caregivers valuable respite. The program quickly became an essential resource, offering everything from crafts and exercise to outings, entertainment, and intergenerational activities involving local schoolchildren.
In 2005, FST again responded to an unmet need by creating a prevocational program for adults living with persistent and recurring mental illness. This addition reflected the organization's commitment to serving individuals who often faced significant barriers to employment and community participation.
Much of FST's growth over the past several decades occurred under the leadership of Executive Director Jim Taray. After earning a degree in Industrial Arts Education from Bemidji State University and gaining experience at a similar organization in International Falls, Taray joined FST as Program Director in 1989 before eventually becoming Executive Director. Throughout his tenure, he emphasized that the organization's greatest strength was its people.
Taray frequently credited the dedicated staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners for FST's success. Longtime employees such as Vicki Crist, Mary Felknor, Donna Tracy, Heather Matvey, Erica Erickson, Tanya Johnson, and many others helped develop innovative programs while ensuring that clients received compassionate, individualized support. Their collective commitment fostered an organizational culture built on flexibility, teamwork, and a simple guiding philosophy: people always come first.
Vocational services have long distinguished FST from many similar organizations. Through its Day Training and Habilitation (DT&H) and prevocational employment programs, adults with developmental disabilities gain valuable work experience while earning wages and contributing meaningfully to their communities. FST became recognized as one of Minnesota's pioneers in combining adult day services with vocational programming under a single organization, helping shape future licensing standards throughout the state.
Participants perform a wide variety of work that benefits both local businesses and residents. Clients assist with recycling operations, including sorting paper, plastics, glass, and metal, while others weave rag rugs, create quilt tops, embroider towels, produce fire starters, and complete numerous contract work projects. Many also provide community services such as lawn care, flower watering, recycling collection, and seasonal outdoor maintenance. These employment opportunities allow individuals to develop workplace skills, build confidence, earn income, and strengthen their connections within the community.
FST's commitment to serving the broader community also expanded through its management of the former Floodwood Seniors Building, later known as the AGES Building. There, older adults found a welcoming place to gather for nutritious meals, recreational activities, educational programming, and social engagement. The center fostered meaningful relationships between seniors and younger generations through regular interactions with local students while providing additional respite options for family caregivers.
Another valuable community partnership developed through the Floodwood Food Shelf, located within the FST building on Ash Street. Operated entirely by volunteers, the Food Shelf distributes thousands of pounds of food each year to area families experiencing food insecurity. Supported by donations from local churches, civic organizations, businesses, schools, and individual residents, the Food Shelf exemplifies FST's broader commitment to strengthening the entire community.
Behind the scenes, dedicated employees ensured the organization remained financially and operationally strong. Among the most influential were Mary Felknor and Vicki Crist, whose combined decades of service helped guide FST through periods of significant growth and organizational change. Felknor, who served more than twenty-five years, was widely recognized as one of the individuals most responsible for preserving and strengthening the agency during leadership transitions, while Crist modernized office operations as technology transformed administrative systems. Their retirements in 2012 marked the conclusion of remarkable careers devoted to serving others.
As leadership transitioned, experienced staff members continued the organization's tradition of excellence. Nicole LeDell assumed office management responsibilities, while Tim Myles joined the vocational services team, ensuring continuity while bringing new perspectives to FST's mission.
Today, Floodwood Services and Training continues to embody the vision established by its founders in 1977. By adapting to changing community needs, embracing innovation, and placing individuals at the center of every decision, FST has become far more than a service provider. It is an employer, educator, advocate, community partner, and source of opportunity for hundreds of individuals and families throughout northeastern Minnesota.
The organization's history demonstrates that meaningful community impact begins with listening to local needs and responding with compassion, creativity, and dedication. Nearly fifty years after its founding, Floodwood Services and Training remains true to its original purpose: helping people live with dignity, independence, purpose, and connection while strengthening the communities they call home.
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Floodwood Services & Training (FST) is a major community partner in Floodwood, MN, regularly hosting and assisting with local initiatives like community holiday shopping nights, food drives, and recycling tours.[1,2]
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Floodwood Food Shelf Serves the Community Through Generosity and Volunteerism
January 9, 2013 - Voyageur Press
The Floodwood Food Shelf concluded 2012 with another successful year of serving local families, thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses, churches, civic organizations, and volunteers throughout the region.
Operating entirely through donations and volunteer efforts, the Food Shelf continued its mission of ensuring that no one in the community faced food insecurity alone.
During 2012, the Floodwood Food Shelf welcomed 347 household visits and distributed an impressive 21,652 pounds of food to area residents. Located in the rear of the Floodwood Services and Training (FST) building at 601 Ash Street, the Food Shelf was open on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., providing food free of charge to those in need.
Unlike many assistance programs, the Floodwood Food Shelf operated without government funding. Every dollar and every food item distributed came through charitable donations, and every person involved in the operation of the Food Shelf served as an unpaid volunteer. This community-based model reflected the generosity and compassion that have long characterized the Floodwood area.
Financial support throughout the year came from numerous individual donors as well as many local churches, businesses, civic organizations, and government entities. Among those contributing to the Food Shelf in 2012 were Aerie Lake Association, Burger House, Cedar Valley National Evangelical Church, Christian Life Fellowship, the City of Floodwood, Clothing, Etc., the Diocese of Duluth, First Lutheran Church, Floodwood Area Credit Union, Floodwood Area Lions Club, Floodwood Business Community Partnership, Greenway Lions Club, Halden Women's Club, Hope Lutheran Church Women, Hope Lutheran Church Youth Group, Immanuel Lutheran Church Women, Lindquist Lumber, Mat, Inc., the Meadowlands Coffee Shop Group, New Life Church, Nifty Fifty Cruisers, St. Louis Catholic Parish, St. Mary's Catholic Parish, TOPS Chapter 1068, Town and Country Homemakers, the Town of Arrowhead, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, VFW Post and Auxiliary 8299, and Wenstrom Insurance Agency.
The Food Shelf also benefited from several special community fundraising events. The Floodwood Forum and Riverview Manor Apartments sponsored a Chili Cook-Off, donating all proceeds to support Food Shelf operations. Students at Floodwood School participated in a friendly competition organized by the Student Council to determine which class could collect the greatest number of food items for donation, demonstrating the importance of community service to the next generation.
Additional food donations were received through Ruby's Pantry in Brookston, while Clothing, Etc. was recognized as the Food Shelf's largest financial contributor during the year. The partnership between these nonprofit organizations illustrated how local agencies worked together to strengthen the community and maximize their impact.
At the heart of the Food Shelf's success was a dedicated team of volunteers whose time and commitment made the organization possible. Throughout 2012, Elvi and Jim Tollgaard, Rob and Jan Benson, Lorie Werner, Leland Johnson, Alice Johnson, Kirk Suonvieri, and Dick and Susan Coccie generously volunteered their time to receive donations, organize inventory, and assist families in need.
The accomplishments of the Floodwood Food Shelf during 2012 reflected more than statistics—they demonstrated the strength of a community willing to care for its neighbors. Through the combined efforts of volunteers, donors, businesses, churches, civic organizations, and schools, hundreds of households received assistance, reinforcing the longstanding tradition of compassion and mutual support that has defined the Floodwood area.
Honoring Decades of Dedicated Service at Floodwood Services and Training
January 2, 2010 - Voyageur Press
December 2012 marked the retirement of two longtime employees whose dedication helped shape the success and stability of Floodwood Services and Training (FST). Together, Vicki Crist and Mary Felknor contributed more than 37 years of service to the organization, leaving behind a legacy of commitment, professionalism, and compassion.
Vicki Crist: Twelve Years of Steadfast Support
Vicki Crist joined FST in April 2000 as Assistant General Manager and quickly became an essential part of the organization's daily operations. For twelve years, she served as the welcoming voice that greeted callers while managing a wide range of administrative responsibilities that kept the agency running efficiently.
Her duties extended far beyond answering the telephone. Vicki processed billing for chore services and recycling programs, balanced financial records, maintained attendance reports, administered the food program, and handled numerous office responsibilities that were vital to the organization's success.
During her tenure, FST experienced significant changes in administrative procedures as claims processing transitioned from paper records to computerized systems. Although the conversion often presented challenges and frustrations, Vicki persevered through the learning process and played an instrumental role in developing the efficient systems the agency continued to use.
Her reliability, adaptability, and attention to detail helped strengthen FST during a period of technological change and organizational growth. As she retired in December 2012, her coworkers and the clients she served reflected with gratitude on her years of dedicated service and wished her every success in the years ahead.
Mary Felknor: The Foundation of FST
Mary Felknor's retirement marked the end of an extraordinary career that spanned more than twenty-five years. She began working at FST in June 1986 and became one of the organization's most influential and respected employees.
Executive Director Jim Taray often remarked that Mary was one of the primary reasons FST continued to thrive through its formative years.
During her first five years with the agency, Mary worked under five different executive directors. Throughout these frequent leadership changes, she ensured that the organization's business operations continued without interruption. Her steady guidance and institutional knowledge provided stability during what could have been a difficult and uncertain period in FST's history.
For the following twenty years, Mary worked alongside Executive Director Jim Taray, helping guide the agency through years of expansion and innovation. Although her official title was Office Manager, her contributions reached far beyond traditional administrative duties. She willingly accepted every challenge presented to her, approached every task with professionalism, and consistently placed the needs of the organization and the people it served ahead of her own.
Jim frequently emphasized that FST had always operated under the philosophy that "if you build a quality program, they will come." As the organization grew, Mary helped maintain that commitment to excellence, encouraging coworkers to continually improve while ensuring that the agency remained focused on providing the highest quality services possible.
Her dedication left a lasting impression on everyone who worked alongside her and on the countless individuals and families who benefited from FST's programs. Jim often joked that one day FST should erect a statue of Mary holding her beloved cat, Lucy, in the parking lot as a fitting tribute to her many years of service. Behind the humor was genuine appreciation for a woman whose contributions were impossible to fully measure.
Although retiring from full-time employment, Mary remained closely connected to the organization. As both she and Jim often observed, FST was the kind of program where they would gladly transition from employee to participant if they ever needed its services themselves—a testament to the quality and compassion that defined the agency.
Jim also expressed his hope that Mary would continue sharing her talents by volunteering at the AGEs Center, where her experience and enthusiasm would continue benefiting the Floodwood community.
A New Generation of Leadership
With the retirements of Vicki Crist and Mary Felknor, FST welcomed two familiar faces into new leadership roles.
Nicole LeDell, who had been with FST for five years as a Vocational Program Director, assumed responsibilities in the administrative office. A graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in accounting, Nicole brought both financial expertise and a strong understanding of the organization's mission to her new position.
Joining the vocational services team was Tim Myles, who was new to FST but well known in the Floodwood community. With a degree in psychology, Tim became the new Vocational Program Director, continuing the organization's commitment to providing meaningful employment opportunities and individualized support for clients.
As one chapter in FST's history came to a close, another began. The retirements of Vicki Crist and Mary Felknor marked the end of decades of faithful service, while the appointments of Nicole LeDell and Tim Myles ensured that the organization's tradition of excellence would continue for years to come.
The Many Facets of Floodwood Services and Training
May 11th, 2010 - Voyageur Press
Floodwood Services and Training (FST) has become a cornerstone of support for developmentally disabled adults and their families in the Floodwood area. Under the leadership of Jim Taray and a dedicated staff, FST provides an array of services that combine compassionate care, meaningful training, and valuable opportunities for community involvement. The organization's mission extends beyond serving its clients—it also provides essential respite for caregivers while enriching the lives of everyone involved.
One of FST's primary programs is its Adult Day Service (ADS), which offers transportation to and from the facility, nutritious hot meals, and a full schedule of recreational and educational activities. Clients participate in crafts, exercise programs, outings, entertainment, and social interaction with staff and volunteers.
"The main purpose of the service is to provide respite for caregivers," explained Donna Tracy, Caregiver Consultant and Adult Day Service Program Director. "We also want to make sure our clients are enjoying their day with us."
Donna Tracy and Heather Matvey oversee the Adult Day Service program, managing services for 39 clients with the assistance of ten direct-care staff members.
"We average between 17 and 27 clients each day, depending on the schedule," Donna noted. "We also have four senior workers through Elder Circle."
Community involvement is an important component of the program. Three student volunteers assist daily, and each month second-grade students from Floodwood School visit to participate in activities such as Jeopardy games and shared reading.
"It is a good experience for the younger generation to spend time with the older generations," Donna said. "The seniors enjoy having children around them, too."
Beyond daily programming, FST provides caregiver support through one-on-one counseling and respite services. The Caregiver Support Program has been strengthened through grant funding, including a $12,000 Title III grant administered through the Area Agency on Aging and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, along with a $5,000 grant from United Way. Financial assistance for caregivers may also be available through Medicare, the Veterans Administration, insurance providers, and other grant programs.
"Any caregiver who would like to talk about counseling or respite services should contact us," Donna encouraged. "There is more assistance out there than you might think."
Another defining aspect of FST is its vocational training program for adults with developmental disabilities. The organization offers Day Training and Habilitation (DT&H) services alongside pre-vocational employment opportunities, creating a unique combination that distinguished FST throughout Minnesota.
"Our DT&H and pre-vocational employment programs make us unique," Jim Taray explained. "We were the first organization in Minnesota to offer both adult day services and vocational services. In 1999, the state changed its licensing regulations to accommodate our model."
Those changes allowed FST to expand both its client base and the range of services it could provide.
"We have grown a lot in the past two years," said Program Director Erica Erickson. "Every week we receive more phone calls asking about our programs. Very few people don't work out."
"A lot of people don't know what we do," added Program Director Tanya Parker Johnson. "When they come here, they are always surprised at how much we do."
"We're the best-kept secret in town," Jim remarked with a smile.
Erica Erickson and Tanya Parker Johnson each oversee different aspects of the vocational program. Erica manages client records, develops individualized service plans, and assists families in locating available resources. Tanya works directly with clients, develops new vocational opportunities, and maintains FST's website.
"I tip my hat to these two," Jim said, acknowledging their leadership and commitment.
At the time of this report, FST employed between 45 and 50 able-bodied workers who participated in meaningful employment through a variety of community enterprises. Clients earned wages while providing valuable services that benefited local residents and businesses.
The FST facility operates a recycling center that sorts plastics, paper, glass, and metal. Clients also produce handcrafted goods, including woven rag rugs, quilt tops, appliquéd and embroidered towels, and fire starters for fireplaces and campfires. The handwoven rag rugs have become particularly popular and are often sold as quickly as they are produced.
In addition to on-site work, FST clients perform numerous community services such as lawn care, flower watering, recyclable collection, and other outdoor maintenance projects. Jim, Erica, and Tanya continually seek new opportunities that allow clients to develop additional vocational skills while contributing to the community.
"The community should let us know what else can be done," Jim encouraged. "We are always brainstorming new ideas."
FST's commitment to service extends beyond its main facility. The organization also assumed responsibility for the former Floodwood Seniors Building, now known as the AGEs Building. The facility serves as another hub for community programming, offering a variety of services designed to support older adults and encourage active, engaged living.
Through its comprehensive blend of adult day services, caregiver support, vocational training, community employment, and senior programming, Floodwood Services and Training has established itself as an innovative model of community-based care. More than simply providing services, FST creates opportunities for independence, meaningful work, and lasting connections—benefiting clients, caregivers, and the broader Floodwood community alike.
More Than Meets the Eye
May 4, 2010 • Portage News
In 1977, a group of parents of developmentally disabled children came together to form an organization that would provide much-needed respite from the daily care their children required. At the time, there were no local programs available once individuals reached the age of 18.
After carefully studying the needs of their children, the parents established Floodwood Services and Training (FST) with the goal of providing services for as many older youth and adults in the area as possible. The response was overwhelming, and the organization quickly flourished, gaining clients, staff, and the momentum needed to continue growing.
In 1999, in response to requests from area caregivers, FST added Adult Day Services. Then, in 2005, the organization expanded again by creating a prevocational program for adults living with persistent and recurring mental illness.
Few people have witnessed FST's growth as closely as Jim Taray, who has played an active role in the organization's development for more than two decades. After earning his degree in industrial arts education from Bemidji State University, Jim accepted a position at a facility similar to FST in International Falls. When the opportunity to become Program Director at FST arose in 1989, he applied and was hired. More than 20 years later, he says he is still happy to be there.
"I am happy here," Jim said. "We have an excellent board of directors and great staff."
Jim is quick to credit the dedicated employees who help make FST successful. In the front office, Vicki Crist and Gretchen Wain welcome visitors and help direct them to the services they need.
"These ladies are the main brain trust here," Jim said.
Today, FST employs 30 people in full- and part-time positions, and Jim considers every employee a valuable asset.
Donna Tracy and Heather Matvey serve as Program Directors for Adult Day Services, ensuring clients' personal needs are met while providing opportunities for social interaction and enrichment. Erica Erickson and Tanya Johnson oversee the vocational programs, working together to provide meaningful activities and employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Their efforts are divided between helping clients earn wages through employment and providing essential personal support services.
In addition to the programs offered at the FST facility on Ash Street, Jim is proud that the Floodwood Seniors Building was entrusted to FST's operation. The center now houses several community programs under the direction of Mary Felknor. Seniors gather there each day to enjoy a hot lunch, work on jigsaw puzzles, and participate in intergenerational activities with local youth.
As its programming has expanded, FST has also been able to offer respite care for seniors, giving caregivers a much-needed break while providing meaningful services for older adults. At the same time, the organization has created valuable employment opportunities for many developmentally disabled adults throughout the area.
FST also offers volunteer and employment opportunities for local residents in positions that both serve its clients and provide important services to the community. As the organization has grown, so have its facilities, employment opportunities, and community programs, making FST a success story for everyone involved.
Jim believes the reason for that success is simple.
"It has always been 'people first' here," he said. "We have to be flexible. We all have to be happy here."
Since its founding in 1977, Floodwood Services and Training has developed so many programs and services that it would be difficult to fully cover them in a single story.
The Portage News will continue its coverage of FST in upcoming issues. Next, we'll take a closer look at the programs and people at the Ash Street facility, followed by a feature on the services and activities offered at the Floodwood Seniors Building.