Agency Details:

Independence Center, Inc.

Today, the mission of the Independence Center organization is to "create opportunities for people with special needs." This is accomplished by helping the participants achieve individual goals that are identified specifically for each person.

Description:
It is the goal of ICI to provide effective day habilitation services to all consumers of the program. To achieve these goals, ICI consumers have access to numerous and varied therapy equipment such as...supine stander, buck's traction, knee immobilizers, adaptive learning devices, parallel bars, therapy swing, sensory equipment, and much more. It is our goal to initiate and execute community inclusive activities to increase each consumers exposure to community resources and events. Each consumer then has more specified goals that relate to his-her abilities and individual service plans to accomplish these broad-based project goals. The consumers also engage in volunteer opportunites in the community. ICI currently has four volunteer programs for the consumers. Employment Services are designed to increase integration into the community, productivity, income level and employment status of the person served. Work activities also enhance each consumer's feeling of self-worth and offers a medium for the development of pre-vocational and vocational skills. ICI offers in-house work activity as well as supported employment opportunities. In-house work consists of simple packaging jobs, collating and light assembly. Supported employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, light maintenance, light assembly and janitorial crews in the community.

History:
Over the past 30 years, the program has been modified to accommodate persons with high medical needs as well as persons seeking educational and therapeutic services. As we move forward into the future, the role of the Independence Center, Inc. program will be to continue to actively respond to the changing needs of the community. We look to enhance employment opportunities, appeal to a diverse population of people with special needs, and engage in collaborative activities that promote the strengths of people with disabilities in our community.

Contact people:

Amy Christensen, Administrator, (phone), (email) Jaime Garberich, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Bonnie Kuechle, Program Coordinator, (phone)

Office fax number: (320) 252-8094

Address:

51 1st Ave. South Waite Park, MN 56387 (See a map)

Web Site: http://independencecenterinc.org

Directions:

We are located in Waite Park MN. Our building is located to the north of Kohl's department store, to the east of Goodwill store, to the west of Cashwise foods. Our building is conected to the Hostes Bread store.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 1/2 block to the west of the bldg.,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2-5 min

Last updated on June 17, 2009