CFI is named finalist as

Nonprofit Organization of the Year

CFI was so proud to be among the nonprofits selected as finalists in the Biztimes Nonprofit Organization of the Year.

This award is given to a nonprofit organization in recognition for creativity and innovation in building a sustainable organization, excellence in teamwork and an outstanding dedication to the organization’s mission in the community.

Other finalists were Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc. and Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. Seeds of Health, Inc., was the winner in this category. Congratulations to all.

In our nomination, we mentioned three key initiatives we have been involved in this year. They are:

Partnering in Concordia 27: MCFI, an affiliate of CFI, is developing a fifth commercial production kitchen at 27th and Wells as part of the Near West Side Partner's Concordia 27 initiative.

Expanding crisis mental health care services: MCFI’s Behavioral Health Services operates three Crisis Resource Centers in Milwaukee County, providing care to those in psychiatric crisis as the need for 24/7 stabilization services continues to grow in the community. However, the need is ever-growing. As a result, CRC has expanded services to meet this need and partnered with Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services, local hospitals, and police departments to connect people in a mental health crisis to life-saving resources.

Summer Meals: Every year, MCFI’s Food Services program participates in the Summer Food Service Program in partnership with the Department of Public Instruction and Hunger Task Force. Families in the greater Milwaukee area have always faced food access challenges, and those have only increased since the pandemic. Our program stepped up to meet those challenges, serving more than 200,000 meals at parks and other community sites this summer.

Expansion of mental health services to children: In 2022, MCFI’s Behavioral Health Services expanded its services to provide treatment for children ages 17 and younger who are experiencing mental health issues. The clinic is supported by Children’s Wisconsin and Milwaukee County’s Birth to Three provider agencies, and it has quickly become a vital resource as the number of children diagnosed with mental health conditions continues to increase.

We are proud of these initiatives, and our history of meeting the needs of our community. For more information about CFI and all our affiliates, please visit our website.

Giving First Day is Nov. 22!

The Milwaukee Center for Independence is one of more than 50 local, area non-profit organizations participating in Giving First Day on November 22. This day is set aside, before the hustle and bustle of after-Thanksgiving traditional shopping, to reflect on the needs of the community and invest in the values of our agency. Join the movement and Give First to MCFI.

GIVING BACK: One family's story

This is a story about Mike, a man with a loving family who had a car accident that changed his life.

Before the accident, he was on the tennis team, ran track and was a leading actor in his theater group. He graduated from high school and completed 30 credits of college at Marquette University.

The car accident greatly impacted his life, and he was no longer able to care for himself, his sister, Heidi, said. Then, Mike was among the first to receive cutting-edge new treatment medication -- making it possible for Mike to move into one of MCFI’s community residential homes.

Mary Wetley, MCFI’s residential program operations manager, said Heidi told her that the family would love to give back to Mike’s residential family, and they planned to make a donation of a remodeled kitchen at one of the homes.



“When you have a devastating mental illness, family meals and good food are important,” said Heidi. “My husband, Frank, and I thought about renovating the kitchen to make the space welcoming, brighter, and engaging for all the residents Our environment has a healing impact on our mental health.   

 “We are beyond grateful for MCFI’s residential home,” she added. “We know Mike is in a safe environment, well cared for and getting all his needs met. We would recommend MCFI residential service to anyone who is struggling with a life of mental illness.”

Thank you to our donors!

We are very fortunate to have generous community partners who support our mission of advancing total health.

Recently, we received gifts from these partners:

• Van Horn Automotive Group, $1,000, for where MCFI needs it most.
• Lynn S. Nicholas Family Foundation, $15,000 for medical day care operating support
• Zilber Family Foundation, $75,000, as the second pledge payment to support job training
• Greater Milwaukee Foundation Samuel K. & Doris Hersh Chortek Fund, $2,435; Keith & Dee Miller Designated Fund, $1,513; and F. Thomas Ament Fund, $500; all for where MCFI needs most

We thank you all for your generosity. If you are interested in making a contribution, please visit the donor page on our website.