“I already know how to do a lot of the work in the summer, but the winter stuff I want to learn about. Learn about snow removal and icing.” -Aaron

Mary Johnson served on MRC’s Board of Directors from 2017 to 2019. During her time with the organization, she was deeply committed to supporting individuals with disabilities and mental illness while helping promote independence and inclusion throughout the community. When Mary passed away in November 2019, she left behind a legacy of service, generosity, and love.

But what family and friends remember most is the joy she brought to those around her.

“She loved her family ‘to the moon and back,’ as she always said,” her family shared. “She was the life of the party, and her smile and laugh could instantly make anyone’s day better. Being around her just made people feel happy and loved.”

That spirit is exactly what her family hopes visitors experience when they see the garden today.

The garden itself began through a family tradition that held special meaning for Mary. A proud graduate of Michigan State University, she enthusiastically cheered on the Spartans every March during the NCAA basketball tournament. Each year, the Moon family organized a bracket challenge filled with friendly competition and plenty of laughs.

After Mary’s passing, her family decided to donate the bracket challenge funds to MRC in her memory. When Victor, Mary’s brother, reached out to discuss making an annual donation, MRC suggested creating a memorial through the client garden. The family immediately embraced the idea, and the Mary Johnson Garden was established in the spring of 2020.

For the Moon family, the garden provides a meaningful way to continue Mary’s legacy of giving back to an organization she cared deeply about.

“We feel this is a wonderful way to continue her legacy of giving back,” Victor said. “We hope that the garden is supported in her memory and makes an impact on the lives she was passionate about helping.”

Years of Michigan weather had taken a toll on the garden beds, so they recently received a thoughtful refresh. Thanks to the care of MRC clients, the garden was rebuilt, ensuring it remains a beautiful space where clients can garden, grow, and reflect. The renovation helps preserve Mary’s legacy for years to come, allowing her spirit of kindness and generosity to continue blooming alongside every season.

Her connection to MRC Industries is both personal and professional. Maria’s son has been an artist at MRC’s artWorks program for the past two years. Although Victorian Bakery has partnered with MRC to employ individuals with disabilities, Maria says inclusion has always been part of the bakery’s culture.

Her perspective began long before she opened her business. Growing up in Ireland, Maria’s mother worked as a nurse in a hospital that served people with Down syndrome. “My mom always said, ‘You do things through action,'” Maria shared. Being inclusive is just second nature to her.

This philosophy shapes the way she leads today. Victorian Bakery welcomes employees from all backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities and people who have faced barriers to employment, such as a criminal record.

“The door is always open,” she said.

For Maria, inclusive hiring isn’t about lowering expectations. It’s about recognizing potential. Not everyone is fit for every job, whether they have a disability or not. “There are ups and downs, but I think everyone should do it if they can. It does make it a better workplace.”

That mindset has become part of Victorian Bakery’s culture. Employees know they are expected to support one another, and compassion is simply part of the job. Being supportive is a job requirement. “There hasn’t been a time when we haven’t had someone who needed some kind of support,” Maria said.

She remembers one employee who had lost a parent and was struggling through an incredibly difficult season. Coming to work each day gave him stability. “The job anchored him.”

Maria has also seen the pride people take in meaningful work. She recalled visiting a restaurant in Ireland where employees with disabilities worked both in the kitchen and serving customers. “They sometimes needed assistance, but you went there knowing that someone might have a hard day. Their service was great because they took so much pride in their work.”

When asked what she would tell another employer considering inclusive hiring, her answer was simple. “It’s a huge gift to the community. I wish we could do more.”

She believes many more businesses could create opportunities for people with disabilities and hopes employers won’t let misconceptions stand in the way.

As the conversation came to a close, Maria became emotional while reflecting on the community she now calls home. “Kalamazoo is a really special place,” she said, speaking about the importance of supporting local businesses, the farmers market, and neighbors looking out for one another.

For her, inclusive hiring is another way to strengthen that community.

It is because of leaders like Maria that MRC Industries is proud to recognize Victorian Bakery as our first-ever Employer of the Quarter. The award honors employers who champion inclusive hiring and create workplaces where individuals of all abilities can thrive. Through years of partnership, four MRC clients have found meaningful employment at Victorian Bakery, each contributing to a workplace culture built on compassion, opportunity, and belonging.

Thanks to a partnership with SELECT Hinges, MRC clients are gaining paid, hands-on manufacturing experience through a 12-week production contract. Together, they are assembling and packaging 7,800 total hinge boxes while learning the habits and skills expected in today’s workforce.

We’ve already seen clients find their rhythm with it. One client has become our go-to stapler. She’s fast, consistent, and takes a lot of pride in doing it right. Another client told us this is his “dream job.” When we asked what he liked most, he didn’t say anything at first, just smiled and rubbed his fingers together. And honestly, that’s important too.

One of the most meaningful parts of this partnership happened outside of the production room. Our clients had the opportunity to tour the SELECT Hinges facility and see where their work fits into the bigger picture. They met employees, learned how the hinges are manufactured, and watched the production process from start to finish. Seeing the final product and understanding how the boxes they assemble support the company’s operations helped make the work feel even more meaningful.

Each task the clients complete mirror work performed in manufacturing settings. Clients learn to follow detailed instructions, maintain quality standards, work efficiently, communicate with teammates, and take pride in producing a finished product. Along the way, they also build the soft skills employers value most: showing up on time, staying focused, solving problems, and supporting one another.

This partnership has also been meaningful on the SELECT Hinges side. When they shared the news internally, one of their employees said, “That’s so cool!”. People want to be part of something like this. That’s what this partnership is about.

SELECT Hinges isn’t simply outsourcing a project. They are helping create meaningful employment opportunities, strengthening the local workforce, and demonstrating what inclusive employment can look like in action.

It might start with something as simple as folding a box. But it doesn’t stay simple for long.

When Chad joined MRC’s Technology Track, he came ready to learn. Since then, he has steadily built new skills, gained confidence, and achieved milestones that have increased both his independence and job readiness.

One of Chad’s biggest accomplishments has been mastering the technology he uses every day. What once required assistance has become second nature. He now knows his computer password by heart and can independently log into his workstation and programs. His typing speed has doubled since starting the program, and he has developed stronger focus and concentration, allowing him to work longer on tasks while improving both efficiency and accuracy.

Chad’s growth extends beyond the computer lab. Through participation in MRC’s Street Team, he has become more involved in the community, helping promote events such as Miller Auditorium performances and the Kalamazoo Klassic. These experiences have given him opportunities to interact with community members, strengthen his communication skills, and work alongside his peers in meaningful ways.

In the workplace, Chad has taken on increasing responsibility. After successfully completing HIPAA and Recipient Rights training, he became eligible to assist with confidential human resources projects. He learned to operate office equipment independently and now helps organize documents, assemble packets, and complete administrative tasks that require attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy. His reliability and willingness to learn have made him a valued contributor to these projects.

Every new skill Chad has gained represents more than a completed task. It reflects growing independence, increased confidence, and a readiness to take on new challenges. His hard work and determination have led to tremendous progress, and we are excited to see what he accomplishes next.

That is exactly what Community Living Supports (CLS) is all about.

Recently, MRC Industries Community Living Supports Coach, Alicia spent the day with one of her clients, helping her navigate the everyday activities that are building the foundation for a more independent future. The morning started at the client’s home, where they worked together to prepare for the day ahead.

Before leaving the house, there were responsibilities to complete. Making the bed, taking medications, and reviewing a grocery list all helped reinforce daily living skills. While these tasks may seem routine, they represent significant progress for a young woman who, just a few years ago, needed much more support to get through her morning routine.

“One of her areas of growth has been becoming more independent with her chores and daily responsibilities,” Alicia said. “When we first started working together, I often had to wake her up, help her get dressed, and assist her with getting ready for the day. Now she’s about ready to go when I arrive.”

That progress didn’t happen overnight.

Alicia has worked with her client since the summer of 2024, when she became Alicia’s very first CLS client. Together, they’ve focused on building skills that support independence, confidence, and community involvement.

“With CLS, one of the biggest things is doing things at the person’s own pace,” Alicia explained.

That philosophy was evident throughout the day. Creating the grocery list and preparing to leave the house took nearly an hour. Along the way, there were distractions, including a family dog eager for attention. Alicia gently redirected the conversation back to the grocery list and the snacks her client wanted to purchase at Meijer.

Once at the store, the grocery trip became another opportunity to practice important life skills, including budgeting, healthy food choices, and shopping independently. Alicia also helped her client stay focused on conversations and activities by encouraging her to spend less time on her phone during their sessions. Together they established a simple agreement: after three reminders to put the phone away, it gets handed over for the remainder of the activity.

The outing continued with a stop at the pharmacy, where the client independently went inside to pick up her prescriptions. It may seem like a small accomplishment, but moments like these represent meaningful steps toward self-sufficiency.

The day concluded with a visit to the YMCA for swimming, one of many community activities the client now enjoys. As a reward for meeting her goals and staying engaged during sessions, she sometimes earns time in the YMCA hot tub. She also participates in a reward program at home where she earns points for completing activities such as cleaning her room, making healthy choices, and staying physically active. Those points can be exchanged for rewards like gift cards, a manicure, or a trip to Airway Lanes.

But the client’s growth extends far beyond household responsibilities.

In the past, she spent much of her time at home on her computer or phone. Today, she is actively involved in her community through sports and social activities. She participates in basketball, softball, gymnastics, fitness classes, and a local social club. This summer, she plans to take a ceramics class at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

“Getting out of the house has probably been her biggest success,” Alicia said. “She’s become much more comfortable talking to people and socializing.”

That increased confidence is noticeable. She now strikes up conversations with people she meets at the YMCA and regularly participates in activities that connect her with others in the community.

The relationship between Alicia and her client extends beyond skill-building. Through their time together, they’ve discovered shared interests as well. The client introduced Alicia to diamond art, a hobby she enjoyed so much that she now does it in her own spare time.

When asked what she enjoys most about working with Alicia, the client answered simply: “She’s funny.”

She also credits Alicia with teaching her important skills, including shopping and even how to make lasagna.

Like many individuals receiving CLS services, the client continues to work toward new goals. Her next major milestone is moving out of her mother’s home and gaining even greater independence. Through ongoing support, skill development, and community engagement, she is steadily building the tools needed to make that goal a reality.

At MRC Industries, Community Living Supports focuses on the whole person. Our services help individuals develop practical life skills while increasing independence, self-sufficiency, and meaningful participation in their communities. From meal preparation and medication management to social skills, money management, transportation, and community engagement, every support plan is tailored to the individual’s unique goals and needs.

Stories like Alicia’s client remind us that independence is often built through small, consistent steps. A grocery list. A trip to the pharmacy. A conversation with a stranger at the YMCA.

Taken together, those moments create something much bigger: the confidence and skills needed to live a more independent and fulfilling life.

But the streak almost ended before it even started.

The night before his very first Klassic, Dick had been at his brother Lou’s wedding in Holland, Michigan. After the reception, he drove back late and crashed at his friend Mark’s house on Winchell Avenue, close to the racecourse. Exhausted after only a few hours of sleep, Dick considered skipping the race altogether. But Mark nudged him out of bed and convinced him to go.

That decision turned into 47 years and counting.

Part of what kept drawing Dick back was the familiarity of the course. Streets like Bronson Boulevard were more than race routes. They were places where he had trained years earlier while running cross country and track for Kalamazoo Christian High School. Each summer felt like revisiting a piece of home.

Over time, the Klassic became more than just another race on the calendar. In the late 1980s, while living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dick still made the trip back to Kalamazoo each summer to compete in the 10K. Somewhere during those years, the event stopped being optional. It became a commitment.

Part of his motivation is simply keeping the streak alive one more year.

Some of Dick’s most meaningful memories involve family. In 1999, the Klassic became unforgettable for both joyful and frightening reasons. His brother Lou won the 10K that year. Lou’s daughter Anne completed the 5K for the first time. But just moments after starting the 5K himself, Dick’s father George suffered a heart attack. Runners heard ambulance sirens echo through the course before learning George had been rushed to Bronson Hospital. Thankfully, he survived.

Other memories carry a lighter spirit. Dick still remembers the 1997 race after a violent storm swept through Kalamazoo the night before. Fallen trees blocked parts of Bronson Boulevard, threatening to cancel the event. But before sunrise, volunteers arrived with chainsaws and cleared the roads so the race could continue. Dick remembers the smell of freshly cut wood in the morning air as he pushed toward a sub-18-minute 5K finish just behind his friend Rick Chambers.

Through the years, the Klassic has also become a family tradition spanning generations. Dick watched proudly as his daughters, Deborah and Renee, ran their first Kids Klassic races before eventually joining the 5K themselves. Lou ran alongside Deborah during her first 5K and later joined Dick again for the “virtual” Klassic runs during COVID. Friends and family continued to share miles with him over the decades. Rick Chambers ran beside him in 2014. His son Caleb joined him last year. This year, his wife Susan plans to run with him too.

The race itself has changed over the years. In the early days, runners finished at the top of Peeler Street instead of near Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts, making an already difficult course even tougher. Back then, the Klassic offered only a 10K, and because road racing was less common, elite runners from around Michigan regularly showed up. Dick still points out that Mark’s 35:28 finish in 1979 placed only 28th, despite being fast enough to potentially win some races today.

But for all the changes, one thing has stayed remarkably consistent: unpredictability.

Some years are brutally hot and humid. Others are cool and comfortable. Then there was the year officials used a cannon to start the race. Dick realized too late how loud it would be. As he rushed to plug his ears, the cannon exploded and startled him so badly that he accidentally punched himself in the face before taking his first stride.

“The first few steps of the race that year were not steady,” he laughs.

If there is one word Dick uses to describe the Klassic, it is simple: “Hill.”

Specifically, Maple Street hill.

And if he could go back and give advice to his younger self standing at the starting line in 1979? “Don’t run up Maple Street hill on your toes.” He learned that lesson the hard way after injuring his calf on the climb during his very first Klassic. What should have been a 38-minute finish turned into a painful final stretch and a 39:46 time instead.

Still, he came back the next year.

And the year after that.

Forty-seven years later, Dick is still returning to the same streets, the same hills, and the same community that has cheered runners on for generations. For him, the Klassic is not just a race. It is a timeline of family, friendships, perseverance, and Kalamazoo itself.

The following day, staff shared Rachel’s success with the GrowGreen* team, and another client took her out for more practice. Rachel remembered everything she had learned and continued mowing beautifully throughout the day.

This was a wonderful success story not only for Rachel, but also for her supportive teammates who helped encourage her growth and confidence. Great job, team!

*GrowGreen is part of our Workforce Development program. Clients learn lawncare and landscaping skills through volunteerism, classroom, and paid work opportunities. 

Since joining the Klassic in 2018, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek myTEAM TRIUMPH (mTT) chapter has made it clear: they don’t just participate, they show up with purpose. “We don’t miss the Klassic,” Michael, a member of mTT, shared. That consistency speaks volumes about both the partnership with the event and the impact it has on everyone involved.

What is My Team Triumph?

At its core, myTEAM TRIUMPH is about shifting the focus of racing. What if, for one day, it wasn’t about personal records or finish times? What if the goal was someone else’s triumph?

Founded in 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, mTT is dedicated to providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience the thrill of endurance racing. Participants, known as Captains, are supported by Angels, volunteer athletes who push, pull, and guide them through the course.

Whether in a racing chariot or supported by a guide runner, Captains get to experience something many take for granted: the energy of race day, the cheers of the crowd, and the unforgettable moment of crossing the finish line.

More Than a Race

For the Angels, the experience is just as powerful. Many are seasoned runners who joined simply wanting to give back, but they often walk away with much more.

“I have never talked to someone who came out of it that didn’t think it was worth it,” Michael said.

This mTT team typically participates in about four races each year in Southwest Michigan, building strong connections with the running community along the way. And the impact extends beyond race day. Some Captains grow in confidence and go on to try other sports, from baseball to new athletic challenges.

A Day at the Klassic

Race day starts early. The team sets up a tent, prepares equipment, and gathers race packets for each Captain. About an hour before the start, Angels arrive for a safety briefing and team introductions.

Then comes one of the most meaningful parts of the day: getting everyone into position, sharing a moment together, and heading to the starting line. Often, the mTT team starts a few minutes ahead of the main race, giving them space and a well-deserved spotlight.

And from there, it’s all about the journey.

Spectators cheer. Fellow runners offer encouragement. Sometimes, they even jump in to help, like the time other participants stepped in to push a chariot up a challenging hill. Those moments of unity are what define the Klassic experience.

Why It Matters

“It’s about the Captains,” Michael emphasized.

Everything from reserved accessible parking to the welcoming attitude of the Klassic organizers helps ensure that every Captain can fully take part. It’s a partnership built on inclusion, respect, and a shared commitment to community.

And the joy is unmistakable. Whether verbal or nonverbal, Captains express their excitement in smiles, laughter, and raised hands as they cross the finish line.

Get Involved

myTEAM TRIUMPH is always looking for more people to join their mission. Whether you want to volunteer as an Angel, become a Captain, or simply learn more, the first step is connecting with the local chapter through their Facebook group.

No matter your role, one thing is certain: this isn’t about racing for time. It’s about racing for someone else’s moment.

In One Word?

If you had to sum up myTEAM TRIUMPH in a single word, the answer is simple: Triumph.

Because every race is a reminder that with teamwork, compassion, and a little determination, everyone deserves their chance to cross the finish line.