Our History

An Enduring Commitment

Wingspan Life Resources began in 1973 as St. Ann's Residence, under the auspices of Catholic Charities. St. Ann's was home for 30 women with developmental disabilities. In 1977 St. Ann's expanded with the addition of a six-person group home in Hennepin County for women and in 1987 in Ramsey County with the opening of six four-person waiver homes for both men and women with developmental disabilities.

A major turning point came in 1992, when St. Ann's and Catholic Charities ended their affiliation and St. Ann's became a separate nonprofit organization called St. Ann's Residential Services. Reflecting the shift in service delivery from large residences to single-family homes, in 1993 the 30-person facility closed and St. Ann's opened seven residential homes in Hennepin County to serve the women.

The next significant event was in 2000 when our name was changed to Wingspan Life Resources, reflecting expanded services to meet new needs and serve new populations.

Over the years Wingspan continued to grow. Today, Wingspan provides services to 90 people with developmental disabilities in 24 residential homes throughout the Twin Cities. Tsev Laus Kaj Siab, Wingspan's adult day program for Hmong elders, opened in 2001, currently serving approximately 60 elders. Also in 2001, Wingspan began providing in-home services to people with developmental disabilities. We currently serve 10-15 people in the in-home program. Our newest program is Three Directions, an employment and alternative services program, in collaboration with Walker Methodist Residences, offering individually designed services for adults of all ages seeking retirement activity, volunteerism, and/or paid employment.