Community Outreach
Community Outreach Program
Featured Partnership
August 2025
Supporting Michelle and Her Family Through Unimaginable Challenges
The Kirkland family from Shoreview has been selected through the Paladin Gives Back Program and Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program to receive 6 months of housing payments and other various gifts. This amazing surprise was revealed to them on August 13. Paladin Financial and Gradient Financial Group are awarding the mortgage payments, and many generous local businesses also donated.
Additional donors included Tramm Law Firm, Axels Restaurant, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels, Gradient Brokerage, Gradient Securities, Jay Dacey Mortgage Team, Kowalskis and Paladin Financial.
Michelle, a devoted mother from Shoreview, has faced more than her share of heartbreak while raising her two children, Autumn (21) and Evan (19).
In 2009, Michelle lost her husband to brain cancer. She returned to Minnesota to rebuild her family’s life with the support of loved ones. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to provide stability and opportunity for her children.
Evan, born deaf, endured multiple surgeries that eventually allowed him to hear, thrive in school, and even succeed in sports—earning a college scholarship. But in late 2023, his health began to take a devastating turn. After suffering concussions, enduring bullying, and experiencing a seizure, Evan was diagnosed with meningitis, encephalitis, and ultimately neuro-Lyme disease. This rare, debilitating illness affects the brain and requires long-term, specialized treatment—treatment that is both costly and not covered by insurance.
At the same time, the family faced additional hardships: expensive home mold remediation, car and furnace breakdowns, and a growing mountain of medical bills. Michelle has already cashed out her retirement savings and taken on significant debt just to keep her family afloat. Autumn, too, has struggled with her own health challenges brought on by the stress and trauma their family has endured.
Through it all, Michelle continues to show remarkable strength. She works full-time, serves as caregiver to both of her children, and volunteers in her community—all while putting her family’s needs before her own.
Right now, this family’s most urgent need is stability. Assistance with their mortgage will bring critical relief, allowing them to remain in the home that anchors them during this fight and focus their energy on healing.
Together, we can help lift some of the weight off Michelle’s shoulders and remind her family that they are not alone.
August 2024
The Kessel Family
The Kessel family from White Bear Lake has been selected through the Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program to receive 12 months of housing payments and other various gifts. This amazing surprise was revealed to them on August 21. Paladin Financial and Gradient Financial Group are awarding the mortgage payments, and many generous local businesses also donated.
Additional donors included Tramm Law Firm, PLLC, Stonehouse Catering, InMotion Fitness, Tammy Brice Creative, Nelson’s Ice Cream, Gradient Annuity Brokerage, Skinfatuation Aesthetics, Hilton Garden Inn, Kowalski’s, Apple Spice, Manitou Bar & Kitchen, Axels, Tony’s Amoco Shoreview, DoubleTree by Hilton, Jay Dacey Mortgage Team, and POD’s Car Care.
In March 2024, the Kessel family’s world was turned upside down when their 17-year-old son, Gabe, was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), an aggressive and rare type of brain cancer. This devastating news has brought unimaginable challenges for the family, but they have shown incredible resilience and strength throughout this difficult journey.
Joseph and Anna Kessel are both pillars of our local community, with Joseph being a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and now works in medical device training, and Anna being a dedicated nurse at Regions Hospital. Together, they have been married for 27 years and have three children still living at home.
Their youngest son, Gabe, was a rising star in the wrestling world until his diagnosis. Despite facing intense treatment and emotional tolls, Gabe remains determined to live life as fully as possible. The Kessel family has shown incredible support for one another, with their other children taking on household responsibilities and showing compassion for their brother.
Jeff Foley, Owner of Paladin Financial, commented, “As a company, we are proud to stand with the Kessel family during this difficult time and provide them with some relief through our partnership with Gradient Gives Back Foundation. We believe that supporting our community is an essential aspect of our business, and we are honored to be able to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
