Village Northwest Unlimited Holds Annual Meeting, Elects Board Members

Sheldon, Iowa – The 40th Annual Meeting of Village Northwest Unlimited (VNU) was held on October 22, 2015. There were 80 members of the corporation in attendance of the dinner meeting.

Attendees elected three incumbents to another 3-year term on the Village Board of Directors: Heidi Brown of Sheldon, IA; Ruth Hobson of Lake Park, IA; and Pastor Doris Lindley of Sanborn, IA. Other Board Members are Barry Whitsell, President & CEO; Pam Thornton, Chairperson; Joel Orthmann, Vice-Chairperson; Lyle Kuiper, Treasurer; Cindy Barwick; Dan DeKoter; Randy Feenstra; Greg Geels; Kathy Landhuis; Dr. Scott Lichty; and Duane Muecke.

VNU’s Chief Financial Officer, Justin Jonas, reviewed the yearly financial report. The organization also presented the 2015 Business Partner of the Year award to Hy-Vee of Sheldon, IA. Accepting the award on behalf of Hy-Vee was General Manager, J.J. Hesnard and Human Resource Manager, Cara Grove.

To conclude the evening’s program, Ryan Groeneweg, Director of Autism Services, gave an educational presentation about what it means to be on the autism spectrum. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world reported to affect 1 in 68 children. VNU is working to expand its Autism Spectrum Disorder services for adults who are in transition from the K-12 educational world into adult services.

Village Northwest Unlimited is nationally recognized as one of the premier providers of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and traumatic brain injuries. The Village builds successful lives for 180 individuals by providing opportunities and choices in residential, vocational and social programs while fulfilling its mission of providing Purpose, Privacy and Dignity.