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Fostering Hope.
Integrating Services.

For 85 years, the Centers for Independence has strengthened communities by fostering hope and helping people advance their total health. CFI’s unmatched breadth of disability support services and resources through its affiliates – the Milwaukee Center for Independence, Home Care, First Person Care Consultants and iLIFE -- allows others to find value in themselves and see a path forward.

CFI celebrates its 85-year history and looks forward to a future filled with hope for all. We invite you to take a few minutes to enjoy our anniversary video.

Watch anniversary video

Doctor taking patient's blood pressure

Behavioral Health

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Lukas playing a drum

Children's Services

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CFI clients working at Grebe's Bakery

Employment & Food Services

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Women talking about services for adults

Services for Adults

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Woman at crisis resource center

Crisis Resource Centers

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MCFI participants helping out at Urban Ecology Center with prairie seed cleaning

MCFI participants help out at Urban Ecology Center

MCFI’s LIFE Services adult day program has a long partnership with the Urban Ecology Center, volunteering there on a regular basis.

So, when the Center needed some help, it didn’t have to look far for willing participants.

Recently, more than 35 participants from our adult services programs completed an extensive prairie seeds project that stands to save the Center more than $3,600. Had the participants not stepped up, the Center would have to purchase new seeds.

In all, about 24.5 pounds of seeds were cleaned for the Center’s use. This is an important process to help prairie plants grow, as well as benefit the environment.

Once completed, several participants got to spread prairie seeds in the Riverside Park Arboretum. The seeds will grow, which will provide a healthy and diverse ecosystem to support a variety of wildlife.

Cheron poses with faculty member with her award

CFI staff member wins award

Cheron Copeland (right), our nutrition education coordinator, was honored on April 14 with the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award from the Wisconsin Academy of Dietetics. The award recognizes emerging leadership and achievement of students in accredited dietetics education programs. Congratulations to Cheron for this well-deserved award!

Satisfaction with Services

CFI clients give us high marks! The results of our second persons served 2022 satisfaction survey are in. Overall, ALL scores for ALL questions scored a positive response of 90% or greater. Three programs scored a 100% positive response for one or more survey questions! Our goal is 85%, so this is an outstanding result.

Ever since I became a patient at the clinic, my life has changed for the better. I love the staff and my providers and trust that they do what they do in order to give me the best health care there is. 100% recommend.


You guys are amazing and made everything easier for my son.


I love the staff and the program because they allow me to be me. I am a very unique person in so many ways.


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Said They Felt Respected By Staff

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Said They Had A Say In Their Own Care

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Said They Would Refer A Friend

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Said They Trust CFI With Their Care

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Said CFI's Care Improved Their Life

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About Us

The Centers for Independence opened its doors in 1938, helping WWII immigrants find jobs — and refuge. Today, our impact is just as compelling. We help people in need, from newborns to the elderly, gain greater independence.

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When you donate to MCFI Foundation, you're giving people tools and support to live more independent and meaningful lives. Your gift can help a child achieve academically, a young adult find meaningful work to remain self-sufficient or a person living with mental illness gain strength to remain on the path to recovery, and more!

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CFI is committed to partnering and strengthening our communities and we provide meaningful opportunities toward this goal. If you are interested in employment, volunteer work or an internship at a mission-driven and innovative nonprofit organization, please contact us.

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