Westwords Admin

Metropolitan Center for Independent Living Awarded Grant
from the F. R. Bigelow Foundation for Philanthropic Feasibility Study 

Funds will provide support for study to identify opportunities to expand MCIL facilities and service

SAINT PAUL, Minn., (Aug. 20, 2019) —The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the F. R. Bigelow Foundation. This generous grant will provide financial resources to support an extensive study to create a path to address MCIL’s outgrown facilities, affirmatively position the organization for growth, and advance MCIL’s mission of “Removing barriers, promoting choices.” The three-part study will be done in cooperation with consultants Crowley White and Associates. Outcomes will include a comprehensive facilities plan, an assessment of the funding potential from the philanthropic community, and provide MCIL a capital campaign strategy and comprehensive plan to move forward. Work will be done in close collaboration with MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA, and the agency’s board of directors, key stakeholders, staff and constituents.

As one of more than 405 Centers for Independent Living in the United States, MCIL offers an extensive range of programs and services for members of the disability community, their families, and partner organizations. Programs include housing referral services, transition plans for young adults with disabilities, consumer-directed Personal Attendant Services, ramp and home modifications, and relocation from nursing home institutional settings. With more than 70 staff members and 200 Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), MCIL serves thousands of participants, consumers and clients annually across the Twin Cities metro area. Thirty-seven years after its founding, the agency has outgrown its current facility and is poised for considerable transformation toward expanding services and an addressing increased need.

“This comprehensive feasibility study is an outgrowth of a 2017 rigorous strategic planning effort,” said MCIL’s Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA. “Our board of directors, agency employees, external stakeholders, and notably people served by MCIL, all had input. That work elevated the necessity to build greater capacity and prepared a way forward to address our currently inadequate facilities. We are inspired by the F. R. Bigelow Foundation’s long-standing commitment to enhancing the quality of life, bringing pursuit of equity for residents in greater Saint Paul. We are honored to have their support. The funds they have provided allow us to take our planning to the next level and meet the needs of our clients, employees and the community for the foreseeable future.”

“We are pleased to support this study, and assist MCIL in positioning itself for long-term, sustainable growth,” said Sharon DeMark, program officer for the F.R. Bigelow Foundation. “MCIL’s work is critical to strengthening our community. We look forward to the outcome of this important study and the exciting possibilities it will bring.”

About MCIL: The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is a Twin Cities metro-based, nonprofit

501.c.3 consumer-directed organization founded in 1981. MCIL is dedicated to the full promotion of the Independent Living (IL) philosophy by supporting individuals with disabilities in their personal efforts to pursue self-directed lives. Being “consumer-directed” means that the majority of decision-making employees and members of our board of directors are individuals with disabilities. MCIL is committed to promoting this IL philosophy through innovative projects and direct services that meet the needs of MCIL consumers. MCIL is also one of eight Centers for Independent Living in Minnesota and is a member agency of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living. Visit mcil—mn.org

Metropolitan Center for Independent Living Receives Grant

from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations for New Facilities Study

Funds will support study of facilities solutions to facilitate MCIL growth plans

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Aug. 5, 2019) — Established in 1981, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) sets the highest standard of service for people with disabilities in the metro area. One of 405 Centers for Independent Living nationwide and one of eight such centers in Minnesota, MCIL has more than 70 staff members and 200 Personal Care Assistants (PCAs). The organization is committed to supporting members of the disability community in fulfilling their desire to lead productive, self-determined lives. By “Removing barriers, promoting choices.” And it has outgrown its 10,000-square-foot St. Paul facility. A recent $25,000 grant from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations will help remedy the challenging situation and position MCIL to better serve the community well into the future.   

“As a multifaceted nonprofit organization, we are dedicated to assisting people with disabilities through an extensive array of programs and services,” said MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA. “MCIL, as a Center for Independent Living, serves the entire seven county Metropolitan area. To continue to assist our clients, consumers and participants as a growing agency, we are greatly concerned that the agency develop a thoughtful facilities plan and a capital campaign plan to secure a right-sized facility that will fully serve the needs our clients, staff and community for years to come.” Bethke Gomez continued, “The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations is Minnesota’s largest community foundation. Their commitment to equity, justice, and bringing together donors, nonprofits and community members to address some of the biggest problems facing Minnesota is exemplary. We are humbled by their generous support, affirmation of our work and aid in positioning MCIL for a long, sustainable future.”

In 2018, the MCIL Board of Directors and Executive Director organized a Facilities Visioning Committee to develop a Facilities Visioning Plan. The grant from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations provides significant financial resources for a study to be done by Cresa, Real Estate and Project Management Services, which specializes in nonprofit facilities planning. Done in concert with the Facilities Visioning Plan, the study’s outcome will include recommendations for facilities solutions and the best strategic options for MCIL to move forward.

“MCIL’s work is central to building a strong, vibrant and equitable community,” said Sharon DeMark, program officer for the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations. “We are pleased to provide this grant and support the organization’s exploration of a path for thoughtful, sustainable growth in service to the disability community and well beyond.”

About MCIL: The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is a Twin Cities metro-based, nonprofit 501.c.3 consumer-directed organization founded in 1981. MCIL is dedicated to the full promotion of the Independent Living (IL) philosophy by supporting individuals with disabilities in their personal efforts to pursue self-directed lives. Being “consumer-directed” means that the majority of decision-making employees and members of our board of directors are individuals with disabilities. MCIL is committed to promoting this IL philosophy through innovative projects and direct services that meet the needs of MCIL consumers. MCIL is also one of eight Centers for Independent Living in Minnesota and is a member agency of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living. Visit mcil—mn.org

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Jesse Bethke Gomez, Executive Director, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living states at the Thursday August 8, 2019 State Capitol Accessible Ramps Ribbon Cutting event hosted by Disability Advocate and Master of Ceremonies Rick Cardenas: “Congratulations Minnesota on your commitment to people with disabilities, today’s opening of the State Capitol accessible ramps advances the American Ideal, we hold these truths to be self-evident.”

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates

New Accessibility Ramps at State Capitol

New ramps provide access to south side mall, ensuring accessibility for all members of the public

Saint Paul, Minn. (Aug. 5, 2019) — Members of the disability community, ADA advocates, friends, family members, community leaders and policymakers will gather on the south side lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. for a much-anticipated ribbon-cutting ceremony. The celebration will unveil two new ADA compliant ramps that provide full access to enjoy the popular gardens on the Minnesota capitol grounds.

The colorful landscape of flowers, shrubs and pathways was previously inaccessible to members of the disability community and others with mobility issues. The new ramps bring the historic property to the next level of accessibility compliance and ensure all members of the public can fully enjoy this welcoming space.

Twin Cities ADA advocate Rick Cardenas spearheaded the project, and his dedication has resulted in this important improvement to our state capitol grounds. Cardenas worked closely with community leaders, local disability advocates and organizations, along with former Gov. Mark Dayton’s office. More recently he worked with the office of Gov. Tim Walz who was committed to ensuring project’s completion.

The celebration will take place Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. on the south side of the Capitol at

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, St. Paul. Members of the media and the public are encouraged to attend. The event is sponsored in part by the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, the Minnesota Council on Disability, Advocating Change Together (ACT) and Charlotte Forsythe.

For more information contact:

Rick Cardenas: phone: 651-357-8927

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA, Executive Director, MCIL

Phone: 651-603-2012

Email: jessebg@mcil-mn.org /  Website: www.mcil-mn.org

Metropolitan Center for Independent Living receives
 grant from the Otto Bremer Trust

Funds will advance the organization’s landmark work serving members of the disability community 

ST. PAUL, Minn, (July 19, 2019) —The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) was recently awarded a $35,000 general operations grant from The Otto Bremer Trust. This substantial grant provides significant resources to further MCIL’s work, leadership and mission of “Removing Barriers, Promoting Choices.” Established in 1981, MCIL is a multifaceted nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities across the Twin Cities’ seven-county area. MCIL’s more than 70 staff members, 200 Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), leadership and board members are committed to supporting members of the disability community in fulfilling their desire to lead productive, self-determined lives. MCIL serves thousands of participants, consumers and clients annually, and is one of more than 405 Centers for Independent Living in the United States.

MCIL offers an extensive range of programs and services for members of the disability community, their families, and partner organizations. Programs include housing referral services, transition plans for young adults with disabilities, consumer-directed Personal Attendant Services, ramp and home modifications, and relocation from nursing home institutional settings. MCIL was part of the initial establishment of the Independent Living / Vocational Rehabilitation (IL/VR) Collaboration, a unique project that enables MCIL to place nine IL/VR Specialists in each of the 13 metro area Workforce Centers and Vocational Rehabilitation Services locations to serve people with disabilities seeking employment. MCIL is one of two operations centers for Disability Hub MN, a popular statewide information, referral, and assistance call center managed by the Disability Services Division with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The agency also serves as the fiscal agent and partner to the statewide ADA Minnesota project and serves as fiscal agent for the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council as well.

“We are truly honored to receive this grant from the Otto Bremer Trust,” said MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA. “The Otto Bremer Trust’s legacy, steadfast commitment to enhancing people’s lives, and longstanding tradition of strengthening communities is unparalleled. We are grateful they entrusted MCIL with these funds and will ensure they are administered with full intent and purpose in serving our constituents and mission.”

“MCIL is doing important work assisting people with disabilities to be successful in achieving independence through meaningful employment and stable housing,” said Daniel Reardon, co-CEO and trustee, OBT. “We’re impressed with their person-centric approach in helping individuals attain their life goals.”

About MCIL: The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is a Twin Cities metro-based, nonprofit

501.c.3 consumer-directed organization founded in 1981. MCIL is dedicated to the full promotion of the Independent Living (IL) philosophy by supporting individuals with disabilities in their personal efforts to pursue self-directed lives. Being “consumer-directed” means that the majority of decision-making employees and members of our board of directors are individuals with disabilities. MCIL is committed to promoting this IL philosophy through innovative projects and direct services that meet the needs of MCIL consumers. MCIL is also one of eight Centers for Independent Living in Minnesota and is a member agency of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living.
Visit mcil—mn.org

About the Otto Bremer Trust: The Otto Bremer Trust, based in St. Paul, Minn., is a private charitable trust established in 1944 by founder Otto Bremer, a successful banker and community business leader. OBT owns 92 percent of Bremer Bank and also manages a diversified investment portfolio. The mission of OBT is to invest in people, places and opportunities in the Upper Midwest. Since its inception, OBT has invested more than $700 million in organizations throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, and western Wisconsin. Visit ottobremer.org

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Jeff Bangsberg, board chair for Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, testifies in support of a bill sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Schultz, right, to establish a payment rate methodology for personal care assistance services.

Please click on the link below to view full article:

Minnesota State Legislature Site Link

By Victoria Cooney

Please click to download and view the 2019 MCIL Newsletter here:

We are very proud to announce the updated Ed Robert’s day flyer! 

Governor Mark Dayton has signed the Proclamation! Officially Monday, January 23, 2017, is Ed Roberts Day!

On July 26, 2016, ADA Celebration Committee and the disability community celebrate the 26th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. An event that day at the Minnesota History Center, 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, will bring together the rich variety of communities, ethnicities and identities that make up the disability community. 

Festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. in the 3M Auditorium with keynote address by Ken Rodgers, chair of the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities, followed by a panel discussion on the joys and challenges of living with a disability in a culturally diverse community. Panelists include Carlos Vazquez, SMG; Mai Thor, Metropolitan Council; Char Coal, artist and disability advocate; and Fardowsa Ali, Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community. Kenneth Brown, a disability and civil rights advocate, will moderate the panel that will conclude at 5:00. 

“9 Nights of Music”, a popular MN History Center series, now in its 19th year, presents Minnesota’s multi-cultural artists at free outdoor performances. “9 Nights of Music” is thrilled that Angelique Lele, 2015 Miss Wheelchair Minnesota, and Young Dance will perform and provide dance instruction for the assembled audience of all abilities. Performance and lessons start at 6:30 p.m. Lele is a yoga teacher, actor and dancer, who landed in a wheelchair after a trapeze accident in 2012. She continues to perform in the world of integrative dance. Young Dance brings together youth of all abilities with professional artists to forge an inclusive, creative community. The dance performance will be followed at 7:00 p.m. by Tamarak, a driving, no-holds-barred, classic rock-n-roll band, whose drummer Curt Jones, is blind. The night’s festivities end at 8:30. For more information on the “9 Nights of Music” visit www.mnhs.org. 

The event is free and open to the public. ASL interpreters, audio description and CART captioning will be provided. Food will be available for purchase. Go to www.disability.state.mn.us for more information or to request accommodations by July 12, or call the Minnesota Council on Disability, 651-361-7800, toll-free 1-800-945-8913. 

The ADA celebration is made possible in part by a grant from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, in addition to partnerships with AMPERS, the Minnesota History Center, and 15 disability organizations and state agencies. 

The ADA establishes protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided in the Civil Rights Act on the basis of race, sex, national origin, age, and religion; and ensures equal opportunity for access to businesses, employment, government programs and services, and telecommunications. 

The ADA celebration is made possible in part by a grant from the Art and Cultural Heritage Fund. The Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants Program has been made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.