Productive Alternatives: Providing Services and Meaningful Opportunities for Individuals Across the Region 

Productive Alternatives is on a mission to build a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

The organization, founded in 1959, is dedicated to promoting quality of life and personal growth for the people it serves and its employees. Through education, advocacy, and service, it hopes to promote rural prosperity, development, and belonging. 

Connecting, Supporting, Serving 

At the center of its work are those it serves. A staff of roughly 400 people works diligently to provide services that help empower approximately 1,000 individuals in the region with disabilities or a chemical or mental health concern to live life to their fullest ability.  

“I like my job very much,” says Kristin B., who has worked with Productive Alternatives since 2011.” The Productive Alternatives staff are very helpful and kind. If there’s an issue, we just talk through it.” 

Kristin has been with her current employer since 2017, and currently works part-time hours, completing cleaning tasks and checking in with her job coach for her full shifts. The services Kristin receives are just one example of the support, employment services, vocational training, and crisis stabilization programs Productive Alternatives offers. Its day service support program provides a place for individualized socialization, recreation, and skill development, while the employment and vocation program partners with local businesses to help prepare and match individuals to community-based jobs, where they can work anywhere from a couple of hours a week to full-time.  

These services not only benefit individuals––they also help sustain the cycle of economic development and growth in the region by creating value in and for the community.  

“It’s not just money in, money out. It’s looking at that individual person, trying to put them in the best position we can, because if they’re successful, everybody wins,” says Steve Skauge, President of Productive Alternatives.

Championing Change Through Advocacy  

Its impact doesn’t stop with just services, though. “Our mission is to provide services, but also to advocate,” says Steve.  

Productive Alternatives recognizes its unique position in the community as a mission-based nonprofit organization that works to serve individuals and provide opportunities to promote quality of life. It uses its platform to actively advocate for sustainable change on a local, state, and national level.  

“We feel it’s a big part of our responsibility to advocate for policy and procedural changes at a state level, because we’re one of the primary advocates for the folks we serve, who, in many cases, don’t have much opportunity to be heard,” says Steve.  

Staff of Productive Alternatives often meet with county social services, law enforcement, legislators, and governmental entities to encourage lasting change on a relational level. 

“A lot of it’s education,” Steve adds. “We speak at the Lions Club and do those kinds of things as an outreach effort.” 

Through regular advocacy and education efforts, the hope is that the community will become more aware and inspired to take part in its mission.  

The work and mission of Productive Alternatives is truly valuable. This organization’s person-centered approach is making a noticeable impact on the region and continuing to inspire a vibrant, welcoming community. 

Thank you to Productive Alternatives for providing the images.