The following news articles pertain to Orion Associates, Meridian
Services, Zenith Services and Orion ISO.
Orion Associates and Rebecca Thomley Featured in a Star Tribune Business Article by Dick Youngblood
December 2008
Orion Associates and Rebecca Thomley were recognized in a business article, in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, by business writer Dick Youngblood, on December 9, 2008. The article details the growth and diversification of Orion Associates and its related companies, including Meridian Services, Zenith Services, and Orion Intermediary Services Organization, notes the organization’s volunteer efforts, and credits Rebecca Thomley’s dynamic leadership in making it happen.
Our Goal of Achieving LEED Certification for Our Office Building Noted in the Golden Valley City News
November 2008
Our organization’s goal of achieving LEED Certification for our Golden Valley office building was noted in the Golden Valley City News, in their November / December 2008 edition..
Our Organization Noted for its “Open Environment” Policies
“Kids and Dogs” in the Workplace
August 2008
Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services strive to create a work environment that is friendly and welcoming towards its employees and supportive of their personal lives. As a part of that effort, the organization has established an “Open Work Environment" policy (the policy text included below) that allows employees to have their children and pets in the workplace, within certain guidelines.
Headwaters Relief Organization Hosts the "Resilience in the Aftermath of Disaster" Event
July 2008
Headwaters Relief Organization hosted the “Resilience in the Aftermath of Disaster” event at the organization’s offices, on July 31, 2008, to mark the first anniversary of the I-35W bridge collapse.
The primary focus of the event was to assist those who have struggled in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse and other weather-related events, such as the Hugo tornado and flooding in southeastern Minnesota. The event was designed to help and support, not only those who were directly involved in a traumatic event, but those who were indirectly involved, including those who helped others or had a loved one who was involved in an event./p>
Headwaters Relief Organization Responds to the Flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
June through July 2008
On June 12, 2008, the rain-swollen Cedar River poured over its banks into the homes and businesses of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The resulting devastation was overwhelming. It was estimated that one hundred blocks of Cedar Rapids, including four thousand homes, were under water. The flooding was above 500 year levels, in what the National Weather Service called a “historic hydrological event.”
In response to this disaster, Headwaters Relief Organization called for volunteers and organized six trips with a total of fifty volunteers who gave of their time, energy and enthusiasm to serve the people of Cedar Rapids, from late June through the end of July.
Open House Held to Celebrate Our Office Building's Renovation and Expansion
June 2008
Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services held an Open House on June 12, 2008 to celebrate the completion of the renovation and expansion of our offices in the Orion Building, at 9400 Golden Valley Road, in Golden Valley, Minnesota.
The Open House was attended by consumers, their families, and our employees, as well as by our colleagues in the Human Services field, people with whom we do business, and representatives from the Counties and State. In addition to offering tours of the building and refreshments to our guests, we provided games and activities for the children.
Cheryl Vennerstrom Recognized by More Magazine, on More.com, as an “Inspiring Friend”
June 2008
Cheryl Vennerstrom, Chief Operating Officer, Orion Associates, was recognized by More magazine, on More.com, as an “Inspiring Friend.” Cheryl was nominated by Rebecca Thomley, Chief Executive Officer, Orion Associates.
Orion Associates Receives a “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award”
April 2008
Orion Associates was one of five Minnesota organizations to receive a “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award,” presented by the Minnesota Psychological Association.
Rebecca Hage Thomley Receives the Minnesota Psychological Association’s “Community Involvement Award”
April 2008
Rebecca Hage Thomley, Orion Associates’ Chief Executive Officer, received a “Community Involvement Award” from the Minnesota Psychological Association, on April 25, 2008, in recognition of her work in founding and leading the River of Hope project and for her efforts in the creation of the Headwaters Relief Organization.
“A River of Hope” Returns to New Orleans Two Years After Our First Relief Trip
November 2007
Zenith Services volunteers returned to New Orleans with the “A River of Hope” project, over Thanksgiving weekend, November 24-27, 2007 to assist with the ongoing rebuilding efforts in the city. This trip was undertaken on the second anniversary of our first trip to the Ninth Ward and was our ninth large group trip to New Orleans taken since Hurricane Katrina devastated a large part of the Gulf coast.
Rebecca Thomley Honored as Community Outreach Person of the Year
November 2007
Dr. Rebecca Thomley was honored as the Community Outreach Person of the Year, by the American Red Cross, Twin Cities Chapter.
The Headwaters Volunteer Project Emerges from the “A River of Hope” Project, and Volunteers Assist With the Recovery Efforts in Rushford Minnesota
September 2007
The Headwaters service volunteer project is the newly incorporated service organization of the Orion Associates, Meridian Services, Zenith Services, Orion Intermediary Services Organization family of companies. As a non-profit volunteer organization, Headwaters’ goal will be to continue the work begun by “A River of Hope,” providing a means to bring volunteers to serve at future disasters, in other locations, as the need arises.
Over Labor Day weekend 2007, volunteers experienced in Rushford, Minnesota work that was very similar to our efforts in New Orleans after Katarina; gutting homes, cleaning up debris, and responding to families in need.
The Two Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina: “A River of Hope” Volunteers Make Eighth Trip to New Orleans
September 2007
Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans over two years later, yet some areas of New Orleans remain devastated and abandoned. There is still a staggering amount of work that needs to be to be done. The “River of Hope” project volunteers responded to this need by returning to New Orleans for an eighth major relief trip, to assist with the rebuilding efforts, over the weekend of September 14th to 17th.
Rebecca Hage Thomley Chosen as “A Woman to Watch”
July 2007
The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal chose Rebecca Thomley, Chief Executive Officer of Orion Associates and its affiliated companies, as “A Woman to Watch” in their July 2007 “Women in Business” issue. She was honored at a luncheon sponsored by the publication at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel on July 25, 2007.
Our Fifth Annual Celebration
of Cultural Diversity
March 2007
Our organization's consumers and employees gathered together,
once again, as Orion Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith
Services held its Fifth Annual Celebration of Cultural Diversity,
on March 12th, at the Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple
Grove.
“A River of Hope” Construction
Crews Return to New Orleans
March 2007
“A River of Hope” volunteers returned to New
Orleans over the weekend of March 3rd through the 6th, to
assist with the ongoing rebuilding efforts in the city. This
was our seventh trip to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina
devastated a large part of the Gulf coast. While our organization
was well represented by nine of our employees, the majority
of thirty-two volunteers were building professionals who
worked on rebuilding a number of community structures in
the Ninth Ward. Fourteen of the volunteers were returning
to New Orleans and eight were volunteering for the first
time. The businesses and educational institution represented
included Glacier Plumbing, of Cedar, Minnesota, Tech
Builders, Pratt
Homes, and Dunwoody
Institute.
“Groove Thing” Opens at the
Mall of America
January 2007
We would like to announce that “Groove
Thing,” a new attraction in the Park at the Mall of
America, is our organization’s latest project!
“Groove Thing” is a video entertainment
system that utilizes high tech video equipment. Customers
can select from a wide variety of music videos and our staff
record them with their larger than life heads superimposed
on dancing bodies. The experience is a lot of fun for everyone
and the customers get to take home a hilarious DVD.
“A River of Hope” Opens a
Free Mental Health Resources Center
January 2007
“A River of Hope” has opened a
free Mental Health Resource Center in the Ninth Ward of New
Orleans, in January, to meet the needs of residents recovering
from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The center is staffed
by volunteer social workers from Minnesota as well as national
mental health professionals.
A Year After Our First Trip, “A
River of Hope” Returns to New Orleans to Help with
Hurricane Katrina Clean Up and Rebuilding
November 2006
The “River of Hope” volunteers
returned to New Orleans for a sixth time, over the weekend
of November 18th through the 21st, to continue to assist
with the ongoing clean up and rebuilding efforts in the city.
This was the largest of the “River of Hope” trips,
and included sixty-seven volunteers.
As the Deadline Approaches, “A River of Hope” Returns
to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean Up
August 2006
Our “River of Hope” volunteers returned to
New Orleans in early August to continue to assist with the
clean up and rebuilding efforts in the Ninth Ward, east New
Orleans, and Saint Bernard’s Parish. This was the organization’s
fifth trip to the region.
“A River of Hope” Relief Project: Orion
Associates, Meridian Services and Zenith Services Employees
Return to New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina Clean
Up Over Fathers’ Day Weekend
June 2006
Joined by general contractors, plumbers, and electricians,
our “River of Hope” volunteers traveled to New
Orleans over Father’s Day weekend to assist with the
clean up and rebuilding efforts in the Ninth Ward and Saint
Bernard’s Parish. This was our organization’s
fourth trip to the region.
“A River of Hope” Relief Project:
The Work Continues
June 2006
Long after the flood has subsided, the work
continues. A River of Hope Relief Project is well
defined in the following article, written by Beth Schoeppler.
Bringing
A River of Hope *
(Adobe PDF Format - 295kb)
*Requires Adobe Reader. 
 HEROINES
by Jila
Nikpay
Photographs and Poetry
March 2006
Heroines is a inspiring collection of black & white portraits and poetry that illuminates the trials and spiritual transformation of 21 Minnesota women who have faced breast cancer. Nikpay’s compelling verse reflects her Persian influence in which contradictions and opposing emotions are celebrated as part wisdom and intuitive knowledge.
Orion
Associates, Meridian Services, and Zenith
Services are Awarded Another Three-Year
CARF Accreditation!
March 2006
We are pleased to announce
that CARF, the Rehabilitation Accreditation
Commission, has reaccredited Orion Associates,
Meridian Services, and Zenith Services
for another three years!
“A River of Hope” Relief
Project: Our Organization is Joined by
Community Volunteers and United States
Senator Mark Dayton as We Return to New
Orleans for a Third Time to Help with Hurricane
Katrina Clean Up
March 2006
Orion Associates, Meridian Services Zenith Services employees returned to New Orleans over the weekend of March 24th through 28th to assist with the clean up and rebuilding efforts in the Ninth Ward and St. Bernard’s Parish. This time, we were joined by volunteer contractors, plumbers, roofers and electricians, as well as by United States Senator Mark Dayton.
“A River of Hope” Relief
Project: Orion Associates, Meridian Services
and Zenith Services Employees Return to
New Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina
Clean Up Over the Martin Luther King, Junior
Weekend
January 2006
Orion Associates, Meridian
Services, and Zenith Services sent twenty-five
employees and volunteers to New Orleans’ Ninth
Ward, over the Martin Luther King, Junior
holiday weekend, January 13 to 16, 2006,
to help with ongoing Hurricane Katrina
clean up efforts.
Marya Hage Recognized
as a Minnesota Trendsetter
January 2006
Marya Hage, our organization’s
founder, was recognized as a Minnesota
Trendsetter in the January 2006 edition
of Minnesota Monthly’s semi-annual
profile of the regions leading companies
and their key executives.
“A River of Hope” Relief
Project: Orion Associates, Meridian Services
and Zenith Services Send Employees to New
Orleans to Help with Hurricane Katrina
Clean Up Over Thanksgiving Weekend
November 2005
Orion Associates, Meridian
Services, and Zenith Services sent thirty-five
employees and volunteers to New Orleans’ Ninth
Ward to help with clean up efforts after
Hurricane Katrina, over Thanksgiving weekend,
November 25 to 28, 2005.
Our Fourth Annual Celebration
of Cultural Diversity!
November 2005
On Thursday, November 3rd,
Orion Associates, Meridian Services, and
Zenith Services hosted its fourth annual
Celebration of Cultural Diversity at the
Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple
Grove.
Rebecca
Hage Thomley’s Work with the American
Red Cross Inspires the Founding of “A
River of Hope”
October 2005
Dr. Rebecca Hage Thomley
has been a volunteer with the American
Red Cross for over twelve years. In her
most recent assignment, she was sent to
New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina
to work as a psychologist.
Our Third Annual Celebration of Cultural
Diversity!
February 2005
On Wednesday, February 16th, Orion Associates,
Meridian Services, and Zenith Services hosted its third annual
Celebration of Cultural Diversity. Once again, the celebration
was held at the Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple Grove.
Our Organization Celebrates its Twenty-Fifth
Anniversary
January 2005
January 2005 marks our organization’s
twenty-fifth anniversary! Marya Hage founded Meridian Services,
the company that began our organization, in 1980, as one
of the first Semi-Independent Living Skills (SILS) providers
in Minnesota.
Our Metropolitan Office
Holds an Open House!
May, 2004
Our Metropolitan Office held an Open House on
May 19, 2004 to celebrate the move to our new location.
Our Metropolitan Office
Moves to Golden Valley
November, 2003
We are excited about the many ways our new location
allows us to improve our services. To read more about our
new ammenities, click here.
Our Second Annual Celebration
of Cultural Diversity!
October, 2003
On Wednesday, October 22nd, Orion Associates,
Meridian Services, and Zenith Services hosted a Celebration
of Cultural Diversity
at the Maple Grove Community Center, in Maple Grove.
Orion Associates, Meridian
Services, and Zenith Services are Awarded a Three-Year CARF
Accreditation!
March, 2003
CARF has announced that Orion Associates,
Meridian Services, and Zenith Services have been accredited
for a period of
three
years for its Personal and Social Services (Vocational Services),
Family Services (In-Home Services), and Community Living
Services
(Residential Services and SILS).
Our First Annual Celebration
of Cultural Diversity!
July, 2002
On Wednesday, July 31, 2002, Orion Associates,
Meridian Services, and Zenith Services hosted a Celebration
of Cultural Diversity.
Members of the Organizations’
Top Administration Complete a Graduate Program and Receive
Master of Arts Degrees in Organizational Management
May,
2002
We are pleased to announce that Rebecca Thomley,
our organization’s
Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Hage, our Chief Administrative
Officer, Cheryl Vennerstrom, our Chief Operating Officer,
and Leann Thompson, our senior Program Administrator, completed
their studies in a graduate program at Concordia University,
Saint Paul, Minnesota, and received Master of Arts degrees
in Organizational Management.
Orion Associates Hosts
a Leadership Symposium “Building Community Through
Leadership”
February, 2002
In February 2002, Orion Associates hosted
a leadership symposium entitled, Building Community Through
Leadership.
Marya Hage, our Organization’s
Founder, Serves at the Pentagon after 9/11
September, 2001
Following the September 11th terrorist attack on New York
and Washington, Marya Hage was called to serve at the Pentagon,
and was there from September 16th to September 29th.
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