While they may not have always been known as Ascend Services, their mission of helping people with unique abilities has not changed since founders BJ and Leslie Halvorsen founded the company 65 years ago.
BJ, who was mildly affected by cerebral palsy, came up with an idea, hire people with Down Syndrome or other special abilities to create holiday wreaths for the community.
He had been making them since he was about 12, so he was keenly aware of the process.
So, in October 1957, Halvorsen and his teenage friends ventured into the woods to gather pinecones to adorn the wreaths.
In November 1957, eight individuals responded to an invitation to engage in this moneymaking enterprise known as Holiday House.
By the end of the holiday season, numerous households in Manitowoc County were decorated with “the best wreaths in town” and producers proudly went Christmas shopping with $12.50 earned cash in their pockets.
In celebration of 65 years of service, Ascend Services is inviting the public to come tour their facility at 2818 Meadow Lane in Manitowoc, between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. or between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on October 12th.
Also on October 20th, they will hold an Employer Recognition Reception starting at 4:00 p.m. to recognize the businesses that have partnered with Ascend to give these very special men and women a place in the working world.
For more information visit AscendServicesInc.org.
