The Miller-Dwan Foundation

05/28/2026

Remember Lou Ann, our therapy dog hopeful? She paid us a visit today and it was so great to have the band back together again! We entertained zoomies, kisses on the face, and a complete lack of personal space, in the best ways possible.
Lou Ann has some anxiety so we made the tough decision to let her just be a fun-loving pooch, and leave the therapy to the pros. But today, she brightened up the office and gave us some much needed love in her own way. 🐾💚

05/27/2026

Please join us in congratulating Miller-Dwan Foundation board member, Ashlie Castaldo, who was honored in the Duluth News Tribune's 20 Under 40, Class of 2026! This award highlights the young movers and shakers who positively impact our community every day in so many different ways.

“Ashlie is a fierce advocate for mental health and a powerful voice for our community. Her leadership, compassion, and commitment to breaking down barriers to care embody the mission of the Miller-Dwan Foundation every day, says Traci Marciniak, President of the Miller-Dwan Foundation. "This recognition as a Top 20 Under 40 nominee reflects not only her professional accomplishments, but also the lasting impact she continues to make in the lives of others.”

Congrats, Ashlie! 👏

05/18/2026

For more than 15 years, Pam has consistently shown up for the Miller-Dwan Foundation, turning her belief in giving into sustained action that supports real community needs.

From enhancing behavioral health spaces to supporting rehabilitation services and championing innovative programs like PM+, Pam’s contributions reflect both professional insight and deeply personal motivation.

Her ongoing commitment is rooted in a simple philosophy: meaningful change happens when you keep showing up.

Read Pam's full story here: https://mdfoundation.org/stories/pam/

05/14/2026

Today the Miller-Dwan Foundation and ArcaMind staff are sporting the color green to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month.
Green represents renewal, strength, and the importance of mental well-being for everyone. By wearing green, we help normalize talking about our mental health and remind others that they are not alone.
Let’s start conversations, support one another, and make mental health a priority every day.

05/14/2026

Join ArcaMind on Monday, June 8 to discover how the EASE Program (Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions) equips youth with evidence-based skills to manage emotions and stress effectively.

Supporting youth mental health starts with the right tools.

Join us on June 8th from 2–3 PM CST for a free event introducing EASE (Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions) — a practical, evidence-based program designed to help young people better understand and manage their emotions.

Whether you're an educator, community leader, or simply passionate about mental health, this is a great opportunity to learn how EASE can make a real impact.

📍 In-person: Holiday Inn Downtown Duluth
💻 Virtual: Join via Zoom

✨ What you’ll learn:
• How EASE equips youth with real-life emotional skills
• Ways to support stress management and resilience
• Where EASE can be implemented (schools, programs, communities)

👉 SAVE YOUR SPOT: https://tinyurl.com/tt5ashza

05/11/2026

When things feel heavy, the idea of talking about it can feel like too much. Finding the right words, explaining how you feel, or answering questions can take more energy than you have.

But, support doesn’t always have to mean a conversation.

Sometimes, being with someone — getting coffee, grabbing lunch, going for a walk, or just knowing someone is nearby — can help you feel less alone.

And if you’re the one someone turns to, you don’t have to say or do the right thing. Your quiet presence, listening, or simply being there can be enough.

You’re allowed to receive support without explaining everything. And you’re allowed to offer support without having all the answers.

Quiet connection still counts. Simply being with someone can be enough.

05/06/2026

“Amberwing: Center for Youth and Family Well-Being gave me hope. Hope for the future. To be able to feel that hope—it’s indescribable.”
Hear from Nissa about how Amberwing provided safety, support & a path forward.
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05/05/2026

Take a minute to do some deep breathing with us!

Rick Gertsema, Senior Mental Health Advisor, walks you through the Problem Management Plus (PM+) breathing exercise, an evidence-based technique developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This simple practice is designed to help calm the body, slow the breath, and reduce stress in the moment.

PM+ breathing can be used anytime—during a busy workday, in moments of anxiety, or when you need to reset and refocus. No prior experience is needed, and the exercise can be completed in just a few minutes.

05/01/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month is here!

Mental health is something we all have—and it affects how we think, feel, and show up every day.

At the Miller-Dwan Foundation and ArcaMind, we believe small moments can make a real impact. A conversation. A pause. Reaching out.

This month, we’ll be sharing simple tools, real stories, and ways you can support mental health—for yourself and for others.

Because mental health is health. And it matters—everywhere, to everyone.

04/15/2026

Using dollars from our Burn fund, the Miller-Dwan Foundation granted the Brimson Area Volunteer Fire Department $36,000+ for new gear - coats, pants, hats, gloves, air exchangers, etc. The full turnout. You may remember that the Brimson Fire Department was the main team fighting the CampHouse Fire that occured in 2025.

From Fire Chief Rand Randy Freyholtz:

Good News:
"The BAVFD was very recently awarded a generous grant from the Miller-Dwan Foundation for NEW turn out gear. This is truly a gift. Our Bunker pants and coats are 23 years old and no longer meet current National Fire requirements or OSHA standards. We’ve been turned down twice by FEMA for low call volume. However, we’re held to the same standards as other departments. AND we value the safety of our members as much as any other department.
That’s absolutely number one. We thank the Miller-Dwan Foundation for sticking up for this small, dedicated department!!

This is an exciting time for our department and would be a good time for anyone contemplating joining to consider contacting us."