FINALIST
Milwaukee Center for Independence
2020 W. Wells St., Milwaukee
Milwaukee Center for Independence has been a resource in the community since 1938. Throughout its history, the organization has continued to grow and respond to the needs of the Milwaukee region.
MCFI is deeply committed to helping individuals and families with special needs achieve the highest levels of independence.
The organization currently employs 770 people in the region, and has established six key program areas including the MCFI Children’s Center, the Nexday Neuro-rehabilitation center, Whole Health Clinical Group, and programs-focused employment services, long-term care and nutrition services. These services allow the organization to support individuals and families living with disabilities throughout their entire lifespan.
According to Nan Bialek, communications director for MCFI, Howard Garber, president of the organization, and the rest of the executive team are consistently engaged in ongoing strategic planning to make sure the organization is well-positioned to quickly respond to new challenges faced by the communities it serves.
For example, in addition to establishing a myriad of programs designed to help individuals and families with special needs become more independent, the organization also established the MCFI Healthcare Training program. The program provides courses to train certified nursing assistants and community-based residential facility workers, and also provides CPR training.
Today, graduates of the program work in a wide variety of health care settings, but it was originally established as a way for MCFI to address its own shortage of qualified CNAs.
As a result of decisions made by key members of management, the organization saw a marked increase in revenue over the past three years.
