25 years of success, challenge, and growth. 25 years
of impact. 25 years of making a difference, daily, in the lives of
people with disabilities and their families. 25 years of working effectively
with colleagues throughout the community to enrich opportunities for
people with disabilities living in the greater metropolitan areas of
Minneapolis and St. Paul, and beyond. 25 years of making a difference.
Last month, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) consumers,
current and past staff, current and past board members, colleagues,
community partners, policy-makers, and others gathered at the Sheraton
Four Points in Minneapolis to celebrate 25 years of independent living
services to the community.
The gathering included
a delicious dinner served by hotel staff and entertainment provided
by Michael Deutsch. Dinner was followed by staff and board recognitions
denoting years of service, and awards being delivered to PCAs,
Peer Mentors, Consumers, and Community Partners acknowledging their
service, partnership and volunteerism to MCIL and the IL model.
Executive Director David Hancox offered remarks that included a
review the activities of the previous year and a celebratory nod
to the significant outcomes of the past 25 years. Special guests
included Mary O’Hara Anderson and John Walsh, both previous executive
directors, who were recognized for their contributions and the legacy
that they created at MCIL. These contributions, along with those of
Walt Siebert, MCIL’s first executive director (who could not
be us for the celebration), are now commemorated on a special plaque
that was presented and will be displayed in the MCIL offices.
The evening of celebration was completed with a presentation by Michael
Patrick, a nationally known motivational speaker. Patrick experienced
a spinal cord injury at age 17 in an accident during a high school
football game. His inspirational remarks included a review of the spirit
that informed the creation of the IL movement. He encouraged those
present to keep the spirit alive through the continued delivery of
IL services.
MCIL has grown from a fledgling storefront operation with a handful
of dedicated staffers to a respected community organization of more
than 235 employees serving more than 10,000 individuals annually. Over
the past 25 years, MCIL was one of the first organizations to offer
a consumer directed PAS program; the first consumer directed Ramp program;
and a significant leadership role in defining the quality and structure
of the adapted transportation system and other consumer directed services
in the Twin Cities. MCIL continues those same efforts today by providing
tech-based consumer services, offering transition services for youth
with disabilities, establishing a Disability Linkage Line Call Center
that serves half of Minnesota, and as one of first metro-based nonprofit
organizations to pursue a significant role in nursing home relocation
efforts in accordance with the Olmstead decision.
The success, growth and impact
of MCIL is due to the talent and dedication of the consumers, current
and past staff, board members, and the many community partners who
have joined us in our efforts through volunteerism, collaborations,
and funding and donations.
To all of those individuals, we offer our thanks. ![]()
