Media/News

For Immediate Release:
June 16, 2025

BLAZE CREDIT UNION PARTNERS WITH FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES TO AWARD $1 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DONATIONS

Falcon Heights, MN – Blaze Credit Union, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines, is pleased to announce the distribution of $1 million in grants to 33 Minnesota nonprofits. These funds will support work in affordable housing and community development.
This opportunity for Blaze nonprofit partners was made possible through the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund, which matched up to $3 for every $1 Blaze donated to the recipient nonprofits. Funds are designated to support the capacity-building or working capital necessary for these organizations to strengthen their ability to serve affordable housing or community development needs in Minnesota communities.

“Life is about giving, and that’s what this partnership with the FHLB Des Moines has allowed us to do,” said Blaze CEO/President Dan Stoltz. “One million dollars is going to make an incredible impact in our communities, and we are so excited to lean into our core action of ‘Give Back’ in this way.”
The recipient organizations are each longtime Blaze partners, working to improve lives and strengthen communities across the state. These grants will support a wide range of projects including housing support for veterans, library renovations, and more.
FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding $20 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Minnesota.
“The Member Impact Fund continues to be a powerful resource in supporting our members as they expand access to affordable housing and drive community development,” says Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “It’s inspiring to see the partnerships centered around improving local communities in such a variety of ways.”
Recipient organizations were selected based on the needs for grant funding to support capacity-building or working capital necessary to strengthen their ability to serve affordable housing or community development needs including job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs.
The nonprofits receiving Member Impact Fund dollars from Blaze and FHLB Des Moines are:
American Cancer Society Minnesota
The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
The Bond Between
Boys and Girls Clubs Twin Cities
Bridging
Clare Housing
Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County
Community Thread
Cookie Cart
DARTS
Every Meal
Friends of the St. Paul Library
Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota
Highland Friendship Club
Hope 4 Youth
Merrick Community Services
Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
Minnesota Twins Community Fund
Neighborhood House
Newgate School
Opportunity Partners
Reading Partners Minnesota
Regions Hospital Foundation
Salvation Army Northern Division
Small Sums
Spare Key
St. Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Union Gospel Mission
University of MN Foundation – Bell Museum
Urban Roots
Vail Communities

This member matching grant program is part of FHLB Des Moines’ ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members.
Since its founding in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has supported affordable housing and community development with nearly $70 million in grants awarded by FHLB Des Moines. Member institutions apply and receive Member Impact Fund matching grants to be distributed to eligible organizations alongside their own grant contribution.

ABOUT FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement.
FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com.

06/13/2025 Interim Executive Director Announced:

To Vail Communities Staff, Partners, and Community Members:

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Cheryl Collins as Interim Executive Director of Vail Communities, effective July 10, 2025.

Cheryl brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience across accounting, financial reporting, treasury operations, taxation, financial planning and analysis, and valuation. She has a proven track record of growing organizations in both the public and private sectors, implementing best practices, and leading high-performing teams. A collaborative leader, Cheryl is known for leveraging team strengths across departments while contributing her own expertise to achieve strategic goals.

Since 2021, Cheryl has served as Vail Communities’ Board Treasurer, offering steadfast leadership and deep financial insight. Her passion for mental health advocacy is rooted in a personal commitment to advancing equity, access, and support for individuals living with mental illness. She has consistently championed efforts to reduce stigma, improve access to care, and elevate the voices of those impacted by mental health challenges. With her strategic mindset and compassionate leadership, Cheryl is well-positioned to guide Vail through this important transition.

As Interim Executive Director, Cheryl will oversee day-to-day operations and continue to advance our mission: to create pathways of recovery through relationships, purpose, and opportunity—ensuring that mental illness does not lead to loneliness, homelessness, poverty, or loss of life. Cheryl will step down from Board service during this period of interim leadership.

This transition follows the departure of Karina Forrest Perkins, who has accepted a new role as President and CEO of Volunteers of America Minnesota and Wisconsin. We extend our deepest gratitude to Karina for her nearly three years of visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and lasting contributions to Vail Communities. Karina's last day with Vail is on July 10th. During this interim period, the Board of Directors will conduct a national search for a permanent Executive Director. We are confident that Cheryl’s leadership will provide continuity, stability, and momentum as we navigate this next chapter.

Please join us in welcoming Cheryl into this important role. We appreciate your continued support and partnership in the work ahead!

— Vail Communities Board of Directors

05/28/2025 An Announcement...

The Vail Communities Board of Directors wants to share some important and heartfelt news with all of you. Our President and Executive Director, Karina Forrest Perkins, has accepted a new leadership opportunity that will allow her to continue her mission-driven work at a broader statewide and regional level. Karina will become the new President and CEO of Volunteers of America Minnesota and Wisconsin this July.

This transition is bittersweet. Karina has led Vail Communities with vision, strength, and unwavering passion. Her impact is visible in the programs we run, the lives we touch, and in the innovative, sustainable direction of this organization. She has strengthened our partnerships, expanded our services, and elevated the voices of those we serve. We are confident that the strong foundation she has built, combined with the dedication of our outstanding staff and Board, will carry Vail Communities into its next chapter with strength and stability. We are all excited about finding our next leader and will be posting more details on that process soon.

The Vail Communities Board is approaching this transition thoughtfully and strategically.
Karina will remain with us through July 10th and we are working closely together to ensure a seamless leadership transition.
Please join us in expressing our gratitude to Karina for her exceptional leadership. We will always consider her a part of the Vail family.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/11/2025

UPDATE: Steinmetz “committed to exploring funding opportunities” for 2 of Vail Communities Clubhouses

Minneapolis, MN – On April 7th, Vail Communities announced the immediate defunding of its Clubhouses located in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. This funding decision came as a result of an abrupt and unexpected directive to cease operations, citing the rescission of federal COVID-19 | ARPA dollars. DHS swiftly acknowledged they made a mistake including us in the ARPA funding reductions since Vail’s contract never used ARPA dollars.

On Friday, April 11th, Karina Forrest Perkins, President and Executive Officer of Vail Communities, met with Teresa Steinmetz, Assistant Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration, in which Steinmetz clarified that she has “every intention of looking for continuation funding for Vail’s Clubhouse programs”.   She further commented that she “could not 100% promise funding due to the federal landscape” but was committed to exploring opportunities for funding beginning again in July.

When asked about outcomes from her meeting with Steinmetz, Forrest Perkins stated, “I met with Assistant Commissioner Steinmetz this morning and she earnestly committed to continue working with us to secure funding after June. While she cannot promise anything, she was authentic, and I believe her. We are grateful to have DHS leadership who understand the impact this has on our community. They are holding a great deal right now and we cannot forget that.”

Vail Communities was in the middle of negotiating a one-year extension for existing funding. DHS is also required by the Legislature to study the efficacy of the Clubhouse Model and how to create a sustainable funding mechanism for Clubhouse expansion statewide. This study is due in December 2025.

When news of Forrest Perkins’ meeting with Steinmetz was shared with Clubhouse Members, Chad Bolstrom, Senior Director of Clubhouse Programs and Public Policy for Vail Communities, said, “The community let out a loud cheer, their shoulders relaxed, and where some members laughed and smiled, others cried in relief.” 

Two Clubhouse Members that were present during the news were asked for their responses.  Earl stated, “Coming and going (to) Vail Communities is always my safe place to be well, and I never had a safe place before. You know, I was out there on the streets making a go of it. Trying to not fall asleep and freeze to death and these guys (Vail Communities) gave me hope and that's why I give back so much because I'll never be able to replace what Vail Communities did for me.”  Robin, another Clubhouse Member, commented, “Honestly, you’ve saved my life.”

For media inquiries, interviews, or to support our members during this transition, please contact:
Karina Forrest Perkins
President and Executive Officer, Vail Communities
(952) 945-4232
kforrestperkins@vailcommunities.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/10/2025

Vail Communities Announces NOTICE of DEFUNDING for Two Clubhouses Amid Mental Health Crisis

Minneapolis, MN – With deep disappointment and profound concern, Vail Communities announces the immediate defunding of its Clubhouses located in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. This funding decision came as a result of an abrupt and unexpected directive to cease operations, citing the rescission of federal COVID-19 | ARPA dollars. DHS swiftly acknowledged they made a mistake including us in the ARPA funding reductions since our contract never used ARPA dollars but decided to cease our funding as of June 30th anyway.

This decision affects hundreds of individuals living with serious mental illnesses who rely on the Clubhouse communities as lifelines. These vibrant, low-cost community support programs have been proven to reduce isolation, increase access to services, engage in shared decision making, and foster long-term recovery by providing connection, purpose, and peer leadership.

“Clubhouses are more than just spaces or drop-in centers—they are lifelong recovery communities. Closing these programs would leave a devastating gap in support for people already navigating complex mental health challenges,” said Karina Forrest Perkins, President and Executive Officer of Vail Communities.

Vail Communities was in the middle of negotiating a one-year extension for our current funding due to DHS being required by the Legislature to study the efficacy of the Clubhouse Model and create a sustainable funding mechanism for Clubhouse expansion statewide. This study is due in December 2025. DHS was ordered by law in 2015 to create sustainable Medicaid Benefit for Clubhouse operations and neglected to do so. Vail leadership thought the current DHS leadership truly wanted to support this model and rectify what they had neglected to do in 2015.

Despite having a contract extension in negotiation with the state of Minnesota for $900K for 2025-2026, Vail Communities was directed to terminate services with little warning. NAMI Minnesota, a long-standing partner in mental health advocacy, has raised serious questions about the justification for this action—particularly given that most mental health programs operate with braided funding models and are not solely reliant on COVID-era or federal funds.

“Counties are legally obligated under the Adult Mental Health Act to ensure access to community support programs like Clubhouses,” said Sue Abderholden, Executive Director of NAMI Minnesota. “Yet here we are—watching vital supports vanish when we need them the most.” 

This destabilizing decision comes at a time when Minnesota is facing a profound mental health crisis. Clubhouses serve as essential, person-centered community solutions that address not only mental health, but also housing, employment, education, and wellness. Vail Communities calls on local and state officials to urgently revisit this decision and restore funding before more lives are destabilized. Silence and inaction are not options when the cost is human wellbeing.

For media inquiries, interviews, or to support our members during this transition, please contact:

Contact:
Karina Forrest Perkins
President and Executive Officer, Vail Communities
(952) 945-4232
kforrestperkins@vailcommunities.org

We are so grateful to Xcel Energy Foundation for their grant support in 2024!  Thank you so much!