For Heidi Vanderbeek, caring for others begins with a simple conviction: people need people. “I have always felt that people need people, that is how God made us,” she said. “We were never meant to do life alone.”

That belief guides both her faith and her work as care facilitator for Northwoods Partners, a nonprofit organization based in Ely that helps older adults remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Through practical assistance, compassionate listening and a network of volunteers, Northwoods Partners has spent the last 25 years helping meet the physical, emotional and social needs of seniors throughout the Ely area.

For Heidi, the ministry of care often unfolds in ordinary moments.

One experience from several years ago remains especially meaningful. A woman she was assisting had begun experiencing symptoms of early-onset dementia, including hallucinations. One day, the woman called in distress, convinced she was having serious plumbing problems.

Heidi stopped at a hardware store, purchased a plunger and brought it to the woman’s home. She showed her how to use it and checked in to make sure the problem was resolved.

The solution itself was simple, but the impact was not.

“It was a very easy and simple fix, but it made the most profound difference in her life,” Vanderbeek recalled. “I just couldn’t imagine being in her state and having that fear of not being able to use the bathroom. God gave me that grace and direction in that moment.”

The experience affirmed what Heidi has witnessed time and again in her work, that God often works through practical acts of service.

“I have learned in so many other instances that God is working and it doesn’t need to be anything complex. Sometimes, little, practical things can make the greatest difference in a person’s life,” she said.

That philosophy is at the heart of Northwoods Partners.

The organization was founded in 2001 after a group of local nurses began asking community members and area churches a simple question: Beyond health care, what support do older adults and their caregivers need? The answers revealed a growing need for respite care, companionship, transportation and practical assistance that would allow people to remain safely in their homes.

As staff and volunteers spent more time alongside older adults and their families, they discovered new ways to help. Transportation services were added in 2004, followed by exercise programs, memory-care support, friendly visiting programs, caregiver assistance and a growing list of community activities.

“We’ve really focused on helping people stay independent and do as much as they can for themselves,” Vanderbeek said.

Today, Northwoods Partners serves adults aged 60 and older throughout the greater Ely area, including communities such as Tower, Soudan, Babbitt and Embarrass. The organization relies heavily on volunteers, working with more than 100 people who provide transportation, companionship, respite care, and other services. In 2025 alone, volunteers logged more than 15,000 hours of service and traveled over 50,000 miles helping community members access appointments, services and social opportunities.

Beyond meeting practical needs, Heidi has witnessed the power of relationships.

The woman with dementia eventually became a dear friend. For nearly two years, Heidi coordinated weekly Zoom calls that connected her with family members living across the country.

Even near the end of her life, when conversation became difficult, the gatherings continued.

“We still met so she could hear our voices and know that everyone loved her,” Heidi said.

Stories like that are what make the work so rewarding. Whether arranging transportation, helping someone access food, installing safety measures or matching a volunteer visitor with an isolated senior, Northwoods Partners seeks to strengthen the relationships that make community possible.

Over the years, the organization has also recognized how deeply social connection influences overall health. Its new space now hosts exercise classes, support groups, coffee gatherings, cooking classes, chair yoga, dance programs and men’s and women’s groups. Each activity serves a dual purpose, promoting well-being while creating opportunities for friendship.

Few people appreciate that impact more than Bob Jalonen.

“There is so much to say about Northwoods Partners,” he said. “It starts with the leadership. The staff are exceptional human beings. They are compassionate, caring and deeply committed to both the volunteers and the people they serve.”

Jalonen has seen firsthand the value of the organization’s friendly visitor program through his own pastoral care ministry.

“Having someone stop by on a routine basis gives people something to look forward to,” he said. “For those who are isolated or unable to get out, that kind of companionship is invaluable.”

He also praises the transportation program, which helps older adults travel not only within the Ely area but to medical appointments throughout the region.

“The remarkable thing is that all of these services are provided at no cost,” Jalonen said. “I still can’t believe how much Northwoods Partners offers without charging a penny.”

A service especially close to his heart is caregiver respite care.

“Caregivers often experience exhaustion and burnout,” he said. “Northwoods Partners provides volunteers who can step in for a while, giving caregivers time to shop, run errands or simply take a break. That’s an incredible gift.”

For Heidi, the volunteers are central to everything the organization accomplishes. She has seen countless lives changed, not only among clients but among those who serve.

“It’s so special to see how their lives transform through the work they are doing,” she said. “It impacts the volunteer as much as the client we are serving. These relationships become lasting and are valuable to our hearts and souls.”

Underlying all of it is a desire to reflect Christ’s love through genuine human connection. Heidi believes listening with compassion and caring for others are essential ways Christians are called to be a light in the world.

That same spirit of service extends beyond her work. She and her husband are raising three children and enjoy exploring God’s creation through family adventures. She also coaches baseball, teaches religious education, helps lead a parent support group, and volunteers at a local school.

Whether she is solving a household problem, arranging a visit, connecting families across the miles or helping an older adult remain independent, Heidi sees each interaction as an opportunity to accompany another person in love.

For her, the lesson is simple but profound. Sometimes, the smallest acts of care become the clearest signs of God’s presence in someone’s life.