Our Mission: To provide services that support people facing challenges to living and working in our community.
Our Philosophy: The Challenge Center offers residential, adult day and work services focused on community integration. “People Facing Challenges” include individuals with disabilities or special needs that require support services to be able to achieve their desired quality of life and level of work. The Challenge center is directed and operated by people of goodwill as an expression of Catholic Social Values.
This 2025 Annual Report is a brief summary of the accomplishments and activities of the 110 staff and 120 people served along with our active Board of Directors as the Challenge Center continues to meet the changing needs of our community.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
2025 marked my 7th year as Director at the Challenge Center. I am always lifted by the excitement and tenacity of those we serve as they strive to achieve their goals toward independence. The pride and joy of gaining a new skill, landing a new job or simply interacting with their peers in our community is infectious for me as well as our staff as we can see the benefits of our work. 2025 was a year of change and adapting our programs to better meet our mission as we strive to improve the human condition for those we serve and their families.
2025 Highlights
One of the most visible signs of change for us was the addition of hanging and potted flowers to the Bay Produce selection of products. This proved to be a great way to interact closer with our community, as hundreds of customers had the chance to walk the aisles of Bay Produce and kick off their summer with a colorful bang.
The Residential Program provided a safe, homelike setting to 115 individuals in 2025. Each of these represents an example of how we continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community. The staff in this program provides the services necessary for those living in one of our licensed group homes or those living in their own homes.
From assistance with daily living skills and medication to transportation to work or social events, they make it possible for those served to live as independently as possible on their own terms. A testament to the scale of this program is the 20,075 days of support provided along with the 79,935 meals served in our licensed group homes and the almost 18,000 hours of services delivered to people living in their own homes.
We were also excited to welcome our new Adult Day Program Manager, Stephen Swanstrom. Stephen has hit the ground running, adding new ideas and options for those we serve to experience all our community has to offer. Our Sensory, Life Skills and Life Enrichment Programs are tailored to meet the unique needs and desires of those we serve. Programs are designed to allow those served to choose how they spend their day and who with as they interact within our community.
In 2025 the Adult Program served 62 individuals providing 67,423 hours of service. These services are essential in providing the supports allowing those served to have a direct hand in their own care plans.
2025 Program Expenses
2025 was a great year at the Challenge Center as we strove to continually look for opportunities for those we serve to take part in their communities. From providing clean, bright, comfortable housing to work opportunities and social interaction with their peers, the Challenge Center stands ready to go into 2026 fully prepared to meet their mission of providing services to those facing challenges to living and working in our community.
Duluth native Mark Kroll has served as director of the Challenge Center since 2019.
