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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