Helen and Karl Andresen Family Endowment for Special Needs Helen Andresen Karl Andresen This Designated Named Fund supports day scholarships to Helen's House. It also funds an annual celebration in memory of Helen Andresen on her June 17 birthday. Helen's House was named for Helen Andresen, who served as Executive Director of the Eau Claire Development and Training Center (now known as REACH, Inc.) It was opened in 2007 to offer day services for retirement age adults with disabilities. It features a high staff-to-client ratio in order to meet the needs of its residents, and it offers a variety of opportunities for physical, educational, and social enrichment. A special celebration honors Helen's memory each year. Both Helen and Karl had a strong and lasting impact on the Eau Claire Community. Helen, who served for 14 years as the EC Development and Training Center's Executive Director, was a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. Thanks to her pioneering work, REACH, Inc. continues to offer quality services to developmentally disabled residents of Eau Claire. Please click here to learn more about REACH, Inc. Karl was described in his obituary as "professor, husband, father and grandfather, skier, canoer, soccer coach, Norwegian and American, political activist, firebrand [and] raconteur." This man of many talents taught Political Science at UWEC for 32 years, inspiring hundreds of students, friends, and colleagues in the process. The Helen and Karl Andresen Family Endowment for Special Needs will ensure that this extraordinary couple's legacy of service to the community, especially to the community's disabled residents, will continue far into the future. CLICK HERE TO DONATE In 2010, Karl Andresen accepted a posthumous Children's Legacy Luncheon Outstanding Achievement Award on behalf of his wife Helen, who was honored for her tireless work on behalf of children with disabilities. A woman holds Helen's picture at a celebration in Helen's honor.
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