Detailed Introduction
SMILES Center for Independent Living, also known as Southern Minnesota Independent Living Enterprises and Services, is a highly respected non-profit organization established in 1988. It operates as a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, and non-residential center, with a core mission to empower people with disabilities to live independently and pursue their personal goals. The organization is committed to creating a world without barriers, ensuring equal opportunities and choices for independent living.
SMILES serves individuals of all ages and with various disabilities across Region Nine in Southern Minnesota, with offices located in Fairmont, Mankato, New Ulm, and Waseca. Their cornerstone services include:
Advocacy: Providing individual and systemic advocacy to identify, address, and eliminate barriers encountered by persons with disabilities.
Information & Referral: Offering comprehensive information and resources on options, services, and issues related to independent living.
Independent Living Skills Training: Delivering personalized or group training to help individuals develop essential skills for daily living, community participation, and self-direction.
Peer Mentoring: Connecting individuals with disabilities to mentors who share similar lived experiences, providing support, guidance, and educational resources.
Youth Transition from School to Community Living: Facilitating a smooth transition for young people with disabilities (ages 14-24) from academic settings to adult life in the community.
Transition from Institution to Community: Assisting individuals in relocating from nursing homes or other institutional settings to independent living situations within the community.
Assistive Technology: Providing access to and information about assistive technology devices, including a lending and demonstration library, to enhance functional capabilities.
Residential Ramps: Working with homeowners to design and build affordable and functional ramps to improve accessibility.
Representative Payee Services: Offering support in managing finances for those who need assistance.
A defining characteristic of SMILES is its commitment to consumer control, with at least 51% of its staff and board members identifying as individuals with disabilities. This ensures that services are developed and delivered with a deep understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of the community they serve. Their long-standing partnerships with various Region IX counties, including Human/Social Services and Public Health, demonstrate their collaborative approach to fostering independent living and avoiding more costly institutional placements. SMILES measures its success not just in numbers, but in the tangible improvements in the lives of those they serve, the removal of barriers, and the advancement of societal acceptance and inclusion.
