By Michele Merxbauer, CEO of Spero
At Spero, our mission is rooted in one core belief: real change starts close to home. Since 1964, we’ve proudly served the mental and behavioral health needs of individuals and families in Dodge, Steele, and Waseca counties. Over the decades, we’ve grown alongside our community, adapting to meet evolving needs and striving always to be a trusted partner in wellness.
In 2021, we took a significant step forward by becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This model emphasizes integrated, whole-person care—meaning we work hand-in-hand with healthcare providers, public health teams, schools, human services, and even local corrections departments. Together, we ensure that every person who walks through our doors receives coordinated support tailored to their full life context.
Meeting rural needs in real time
One of the greatest strengths of a community-based model is our ability to respond quickly and meaningfully to local issues. A recent example is the alarming rise in suicide rates in rural farming communities. With this data in hand, we reconfigured our outreach strategies to better serve farmers—an often underrepresented group in mental health conversations. We’ve already seen a rise in calls to our mobile response team, and we’re hopeful that continued outreach will lead to real progress and healing.
Bringing mental health to the classroom
Our partnerships with schools across Dodge, Steele, and Waseca counties are another powerful example of community impact. We have mental and behavioral health professionals embedded directly within several school buildings, offering therapy, education, and prevention strategies during the school day. These staff members work closely with school social workers to provide students and families with individualized, holistic care.
In Waseca County, for instance, we have three Family Service Coordinators who support two schools in Waseca and one in New Richland. Their presence ensures that students and families have direct access to the help they need—whether it’s navigating complex systems or simply having a trusted adult to turn to during challenging times.
Leadership that stays close to the ground
We believe that true leadership in mental health doesn’t come from the top down—it comes from staying connected to the community. Our team members are on the ground every day, hearing the needs firsthand and adapting to meet them. These small, local efforts are powerful. They create ripple effects that extend far beyond one conversation, one classroom, or one call for help.
At Spero, we’re proud of the impact we’ve made—and even more excited about the progress yet to come. Together, with our partners and community members, we’re building a healthier, more connected future—one meaningful step at a time.