OUR HISTORY
Robert Sweeney, Owner and Director of Progressive Living inc. started providing in home care services for his neighbors in the early 90’s. Soon after Robert and his wife Leann were approached by a case manager about starting in-home foster care services. Robert and Leann then started providing services to four individuals in their family home in 1995. He and his family continue to care for those same individuals to this day. In 2001, Robert built the first of several group homes in Mankato and has been expanding the company ever since.
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Today Progressive Living has 14 group homes providing services to over 40 individuals
28
Years in Operation
40+
Individuals Provided For
2001
Year of First Group Home
14
Group Homes in Mankato
Nicole Schmidt
Director/Designated Manager
Yainelis Baldrich
Designated Manager
Yainelis moved to the United States when she was 16 years old from Cuba. She is known by her coworkers for always being able to develop a positive work environment. Yainelis has been working in the healthcare field for 6 years and joined the Progressive Living team in 2020 as a direct support staff but was quickly promoted to a Designated Coordinator. In the Summer of 2023 Yainlies was offered the postion of Designated Manger and to the companies delight she accepted. Yainelis is dedicated to her individuals and is always looking for new creative ways to help them succeed in reaching their goals. Yainelis is the epitome of a caretaker, with her daughter at home Yainelis’s is never truly off the clock. She enjoys spending time with her family, and being outdoors in whatever way she can.
Megan Theobald
Program Development Coordinator
Megan grew up on a farm in Huntley, MN and moved to Mankato in 2007 after graduating from Blue Earth Area High School. Megan has worked for Progressive Living for over 10 years. Megan started in 2010 as a Direct Support Staff where she worked directly with the individuals providing person centered supports. In 2014 Megan was promoted to House Manager where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of one of our homes. In 2017 Megan transitioned into the Designated Coordinator roll. As a Designated Coordinator Megan oversaw multiple homes to ensure that the services and needs of the individuals were met while also maintaining 245D compliance. Today Megan’s position entails attending all support team meetings, advocating for the individuals wants and needs, and coordinating services and supports for the individuals we serve. Megan has completed additional training in person-centered planning and supports and has a passion for providing high quality, person centered services for the individuals we serve. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her family, kayaking, camping, traveling, and attending live music events.
Britney Clark
Senior Administrative Coordinator
Britney moved to Mankato in 2015, from the Minneapolis area. She started her career with Progressive Living in the summer of 2016 as a Direct Support Staff. Britney worked her way up from there, she was promoted in Spring of 2017 to ILS/SLS Manager, and from there became on-call, a live-in staff and took on overseeing the scheduling for the company. Britney goes above and beyond for Progressive Living and takes pride in helping her colleagues and Progressive Living individuals to succeed. Outside of work, Britney enjoys reading, being with friends, and spending as much time as possible with her family.
Stephanie Nepper
Senior Designated Coordinator
Stephanie grew up in Le Sueur, MN and moved to Mankato for school in 2018, that was also when she started her career with Progressive Living. Stephanie attended MSU and majored in Corrections and Alcohol/Drug studies. She worked her way up through the company starting as a DSP, then accepted a House Manager position a short time later. In 2020, Stephanie was looking for more of a challenge and when Progressive Living opened a new High Behavior ladies home, she accepted the House Manager postion there. In the summer of 2022, Stephanie was promoted to a Designated Coordinator. Stephanie has been and continues to be an amazing asset to the PL team.
Chad Davey
Designated Coordinator
Chad grew up in the Mankato area and attended Bethany Lutheran College where he earned an AA degree in Liberal Arts. Chad started in the healthcare field in 2005 as a DSP. As he grew more comfortable in the field, Chad volunteered for as many hours and as much experience as he could. He had the unique opportunity to participate in Work Groups and attend Conferences to further his experience. In 2007, he was promoted to a house manager position and was very dedicated to the individuals and teams he supported. Chad was offered an opportunity to join Progressive Living as a DC in 2023. Everyday he strives to incorporate progressive person centered goals with the individuals he supports. Outside of work Chad has many hobbies and spends as much time as he can with his family.
Alexandria Fulghum
Designated Coordinator
Alexandria grew up in Le Sueur, graduated high school in 2017 and that same year she moved to Mankato. In September 2018 she started her career at Progressive living as a Direct support Staff. Alex quickly excelled in her postion as a DSP, she worked hard and was offered a house manager position in a high behavior home. Alex was promoted again in 2023 and became a Designated Coordinator. In her free time Alex enjoys spending time with her cats and her friends.
Cory Raddatz
Designated Coordinator
Cory grew up in Mankato, MN. He began his career at Progressive Living inc. in 2017 as a direct support staff. He worked hard and accepted a position as a house manager position with some of our more challenging individuals and was promoted again to the position of Designated Coordinator shortly after that. Cory enjoys working with challenging individuals and exploring pathways that allow those individuals to live a successful and happy life. In his free time Cory enjoys staying physically active, collecting artwork, and being ordained.
EJ" Haymore
Designated Coordinator
EJ grew up in Chicago, IL and moved to Minnesota when he was 17 years old. EJ started working in the field as a DSP with Progressive Living, in 2016. After spending a few years with PL, EJ moved to Duluth and has spent the last 4 years managing individuals there. In 2023, EJ decided he wanted to move back to Mankato and was offered a Designated Coordinator postion with PL. In his free time EJ enjoys spending time with his children and family, playing basketball and finding new places to eat.
Bee Thao
Designated Coordinator
Bee grew up in Sacramento, CA. and moved to Mankato in 2018. His academic journey culminated at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he earned a degree in Communication and a minor in Health Science, graduating with honors. During his college years, Bee taught literature to 6th and 7th grade literature through a summer internship in North Minneapolis and St. Paul, and also mentored ESL students in his high school. Bees professional career in this field began in 2019 as a DSP, his dedication and hard work led to rapid promotions, advancing from Team Lead to Home Manager, and eventually to director's level. By the end of 2023. Bee embarked on a new role with PL as a Designated Coordinator. He is passionate about collaborating with his team and staff to enhance the support for the individuals we assist and contribute to improving the Mankato community. In his leisure time, Bee enjoys hiking, reading, catching up on the latest shows and movies, and exploring diverse cultural cuisines.