About Bear Creek Services

Bear Creek Services is a non-profit organization based in Rochester, MN, that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.   Here are some numbers that reflect the impact of our mission:

We currently have 14 group homes and 4 apartments.

More than 95% of our bed slots are filled each year. 

Dozens of people are enrolled in our Independent Living Services Program (BCILS).

We have the capacity to provide 24-hour, 365-day per year care for 56 people in our group homes.

Our employees spend more than 160,000 hours per year on direct care in our homes.

Olmsted County residents spend more than 4,000 hours per year volunteering for our residents.

On a typical weeknight, about 80% of Bear Creek residents are out of their house, in the community, doing something.  Outings include grocery shopping, community education classes, and recreation activities.

Every single person enrolled in or programs who wishes to attend a religious activity is able to do so.

In the past year, about half of all people enrolled in our programs have gone on a vacation.  Vacations include going to camp, visiting family out of town, overnight trips to Minneapolis, and more!

While these numbers are accurate, they don’t tell the whole story of who we are.   At Bear Creek Services, we see ourselves as a support system for individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries to help them maximize their potential and enjoy all that life has to offer.   We provide this support through person-centered programs that respect each person’s dignity and desires.

Person-centered means that there is a partnership between the people enrolled in our programs and our staff members.    Our staff provide supervision and support, but without direct control.  Staff members work together towards helping each person meet their goals.  Goals may include education, employment, independent living, socialization or other skills.  We encourage everyone in our program to interact with the Rochester community as much as possible.  We also invite members in our community to participate in Bear Creek Services events, because we believe that belonging to our community is what makes all of us all thrive as individuals.

This sense of community life and partnership is shown in our logo.  The logo represents three people embracing to form a circle.  One of the people is the person being provided services.  The second person is the Bear Creek Services staff member who is providing the services.  The final person is YOU ---  a member of our community.  Whether you are a staff member, volunteer, donor, business partner, or an event attendee, you have an impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries in our community.

Please take a few minutes to navigate this webpage to learn more about our programs.  You will learn how Bear Creek Services provides the personalized life experiences that the people enrolled in our programs desire, and how we help them to achieve the life they deserve.