Volunteer Feature: Peter Thompson
For the last three years, Peter Thompson has donated his time and expertise as a Board Member at Reach. With three children, nine grandchildren, and a strong involvement in his community, Peter is no stranger to a busy schedule. Yet, he still finds time to provide guidance to our team, share his knowledge, and bring warmth and positivity to the Reach community. We are proud to recognize Peter’s accomplishments, vision for the future of our organization, and continued dedication to Reach.
Originally from Ohio, Peter spent much of his career working in the legal field. Though he originally set out on a pre-med track in college, he quickly realized he had a knack for law. He received his B.A. from DePauw University and J.D. from the University of Michigan School of Law. After moving to Minnesota with his wife, he took a job working for a judge before starting to teach law courses and serve as an administrator at William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law). As an attorney, Peter worked on a number of high-profile cases, co-authored several books, and produced an extensive research and publication record. Though Peter is now formally retired from his work in higher education, he continues to write, contribute to law books, and serve as an arbitrator.
Peter was first introduced to Reach through an online advertisement for an opening for a new board member. Though he was initially unfamiliar with our work, Peter quickly identified a personal connection to our organization. As the grandfather of a young woman with a disability, he knew how difficult navigating disability services and resources could be. “Even with all of my legal training, I still had trouble understanding,” Peter said. He also identified a lack of opportunities for connection, recreation, and enrichment for adults with disabilities. Seeing his granddaughter benefit from programming similar to what Reach offers, this solidified his dedication to our mission. Peter describes watching how she “shined and prospered” after finding support and community. “I attribute this to the people and programs that make these opportunities available,” he said.
As a board member, Peter leverages his legal background by helping us develop strong policies and procedures. However, his favorite task is getting the word out about Reach and our services. He praises the drive and curiosity of his fellow board members and their ability to adapt to change. “We [the board members] also like to drink coffee on occasion!” Peter mentions.
As we continue to grow our organization, Peter feels optimistic about the future of Reach. He hopes we can continue to expand our geographical region to reach people living in different areas of the state and emphasizes the importance of continuing to invest in opportunities for transportation to our programs. “Reach is a terrific organization to become acquainted with. The staff is very dedicated and knowledgeable. It’s a blessing,” Peter said.
Thank you, Peter, for your ongoing support and commitment to Reach for Resources!