ICAN Celebrates 20 Years Serving Houston County

ICAN, LLC, a locally owned business, has been a proud member of the Caledonia business community for 20 years. The company operates from its building at 139 S. Kingston Street in downtown Caledonia, along the town’s former Main Street, now known as South Kingston Street.

Proud owner Jessie Twite explained that ICAN is a for-profit business emphasizing that they want to be a tax contributor.

She owns the building on S. Kingston Street, plus three homes that house seven clients, emphasizing that ICAN contributes to the community by paying local property taxes.

Twite’s mother was a “person centered advocate before person centeredness became popular in the state.” According to Twite, a person-centered advocate is what “the person wants and not what the industry thinks they should have.”

The inspiration for ICAN came from Twite’s father, Joe Burg, a local farmer known for his entrepreneurial spirit and many business ideas. While some of his ideas were pursued, others never got off the drawing board. Her mother and dad are the founders of ICAN.

ICAN stands for Independent Choices Assistance if Needed, a named coined by Twite’s mother, Danielle Burg. Twite added that her mother also came up with the name ABLE, a non-profit in Caledonia that she and her mother both worked for prior to her parents opening ICAN. Twite started at ABLE working direct care with the clients back in the 80s.

ICAN is described as “Providing Choices and Assistance for People with Unique Abilities at their home and in the community.” ICAN began with just five clients and has grown to serve 28 clients today.

Their state license allows ICAN to serve all of Houston County. In addition to Caledonia, ICAN sees people in Spring Grove, Houston, and La Crescent.

Today, a third generation of the family is becoming involved in the business – Twite’s daughter Olivia Twite. She said that she grew up around the business and has been working at ICAN for the past four years and is beginning her career from the ground up just like the women before her. She has two titles – an office assistant and a client associate because she works with clients aas well. She hinted that some day she might take over the reins started by her grandmother and mother.

ICAN employs 24 staff members plus Twite, many who work afternoons and evening after their clients get off work in the afternoon.

Twite explained that if you follow their Facebook page, it might seem as if they only do fun things. Staff members are available to assist with daily needs such as cooking, cleaning, money management, medication management, doctor appointments, and overnight support.

The business will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Saturday, June 20 with an open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., which coincides with Caledonia’s annual Founders Day celebration. There will be kids’ games, face painting, raffles, music, a meet & greet, and a walk-through.

Stop by and celebrate 20 years of love, memories and making a difference with Team ICAN!

As part of their anniversary celebration, ICAN has partnered with Tracey Knutson and Bryan Spier, the owners of Frank & Julia’s Grocery and Deli, to raise funds for a local charity that has not yet been selected. Patrons can purchase a mouth-watering eye-appealing slice of strawberry cake topped with one fresh strawberry, with profits from the sale of the cake benefiting the selected charity until the end of June.

Individuals interested in receiving ICAN services first work through Houston County Public Health before becoming a client.

For more information, Twite can be reached at 507-725-4226 or email info@icanllc.org, or visit icanllc.org.