Print Friendly VersionAnnual Report 2006
Ready. Willing. and Able
Statement of Activities
Year Ended December 31, 2006
REVENUE
U.S. Department of Education
CenterofIndependentLiving ......................................................................................................328,726
Social Security Administration
Benefits Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123,677
State of Wisconsin
Center of Independent Living (Part C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39,324
WisTech-AssistiveTechnologies ...............................................................................................77,276
Worker Relocation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71,463
AODAIntervention ...................................................................................................................115,000
Benefits Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47,044
Domestic Abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76,808
United Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44,340
Personal Assistance Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,708,413
WisLoan Assistive Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750,000
EntepreneurialEfforts ...............................................................................................................57,194
SpecialtyGrants .....................................................................................................................117,436
Investment Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 610,757
Fund Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114,806
OtherRevenue .........................................................................................................................487,235
TotalRevenue .........................................................................................................................26,769,499
EXPENSES
Salaries / Burdens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,260,896
Operational. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .908,559
ContractualServices ................................................................................................................539,215
General / Administrative Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,377,303
Total Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25,085,973
Change in Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,683,526
Net Assets, Beginning of the Year (Adj). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,562,878
NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,246,404
*The Board of Directors has set a goal of three to six months operating reserve.
Demographics: the people we serve:
58% are female.
86% live in Milwaukee County.
IndependenceFirst’s year in Review
2006 Annual Report
OUR LOOK AT THE WORLD, OUR COMMITMENT TO DISABILITY AWARENESS
AND HOW WE AFFECT CHANGE WITH Your H E L P.
IndependenceFirst experienced an extremely busy and productive year.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
The demand for our services grows yearly and IndependenceFirst
experienced an extremely busy and productive year in 2006. This
Annual Report highlights the many individuals and families who
were impacted by the varied programs we offer in the four-county
metro Milwaukee area.
Here are just a few important developments:
In 2006, we established the position of Youth Leadership Specialist to
target resources and services to young adults with disabilities. Her
responsibilities include presenting life skills classes to high school students
with disabilities, coordinating participation of local youth in Disability
Mentoring Day, and organizing our weeklong Youth Leadership Forum.
These programs promote greater independence and self-sufficiency
among young people with disabilities, preparing them for post-secondary
education and successful careers.
Our Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocacy & Education Project
for people with disabilities attracted national attention and acclaim.
IndependenceFirst staff conducted trainings as far away as Alaska and
Washington, DC to assist other organizations in establishing services.
The Disability Abuse Response Team (DART), a unique collaboration
between disability, social service, health and police agencies in Milwaukee
County whose goal is to ensure timely assistance to abuse victims with
disabilities, was honored with an Exemplary Program Award from IL
Net/ILRU. Our Domestic Violence Specialist, Leslie Myers, received
the 2006 Justice Award from the Wisconsin Governor's Council on
Domestic Abuse.
WisLoan, the low-interest Alternative Finance Program that enables
Wisconsin residents with a disability to purchase adaptive equipment or
make home modifications to increase their mobility and functionality,
assisted 148 people in 2006. WisLoan has now surpassed the $3 million
loan mark, and more than $700,000 of those loans have been repaid.
IndependenceFirst Mission.
IndependenceFirst is a non-profit agency directed by, and for the
benefit of, persons with disabilities, primarily serving the four county
metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.
Our agency mission is to effectively facilitate empowerment of
individuals with disabilities through:
Education,
Advocacy,
Independent Living Services and
Coalition Building
We promote diversity and multicultural participation in our operation
and services.
IndependenceFirst has a vision for full the inclusion of persons
with disabilities in all aspects of the community and commits
itself to this end.
Finally, we spent a lot of time and energy educating our staff and
consumers about the changes occurring in managed care and the state's
expansion of Family Care. The conversion to Family Care is expected to
continue for several years.
We thank all of the donors, board members, staff, volunteers and the many
community agencies with whom we partner for another successful year.
Luiz Arroyo Lee Schulz
Board of Directors Chair Executive Director
SUCCESS SNAPSHOTS FOR 2006
33 community locations became more accessible as a result of our Access Consultation.
Almost 100 low-income people with disabilities received a recycled computer.
Education Advocacy SUCCESS SNAPSHOTS FOR 2006
Indepth services were provided to over 2,100 people with disabilities. This includes goal-
setting and regular meetings as well.
Information & Referral specialists answered over 6,200 phone calls and emails regarding disability,
access, and community services from people with disabilities, their families and the community at large.
33 community locations became more accessible as a result of our Access Consultation.
79 people with disabilities participated in peer support services.
100 independent living skills classes were held on various topics throughout the four-county area.
62 people with disabilities relocated from living in a nursing home back into the community.
180 Wheelchair Sports and Adaptive Recreation programs were held for youth and adults with disabilities.
Almost 300 people with disabilities tried out assistive technology items available through our Try-A-Gadget Center.
259 people received Benefits Counseling services and an additional 43 were provided with Employment Services.
373 people learned about home ownership and 29 people with disabilities were provided with the downpayment
assistance they needed to purchase a home.
There is so much work accomplished within a year, it’s difficult to choose which things to highlight. Here’s a
sampling of IndependenceFirst’s impact in our community this past year:
IndependenceFirst has a vision for full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of the community and
commits itself to this end.
Independent Living Services Coalition Building
373 people learned about home ownership and 29 people with disabilities were provided with the downpayment
assistance they needed to
purchaseahome.
62 people with disabilities relocated from living in a nursing home back into the community.
148 people with disabilities received loans through WisLoan to provide them with assistive technology or
renvironmental adaptations to allow them to become more independent.
Afte rhundreds of loans in this program, the default rate among people with disabilities remains lower than the
general population.
Over 750 seats were purchased for our annual POWERLUNCH event which featured Robert David Hall from CBS’
s #1 dramatic series “CSI.”
INFORMATION& REFERRAL SPECIALISTS ANSWERED OVER 6 ,200 PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS
REGARDING DISABILITY, ACCESS,
COMMUNITY SERVICES FROM PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY AT
LARGE.
414-291-7520(Voice/TTY)•414-291-7525Fax•info@independencefirst.org•www.independencefirst.org704-INDAn
nualRep(FF).qxd:704-INDAnnualRep(FF).qxd 11/26/07
IndependenceFirst’s contributions in Review
OUR LOOK AT THE WORLD, OUR COMMITMENT TO DISABILITY
AWARENESS AND HOW WE AFFECT CHANGE WITH Your H E L P.
Grants/Contracts
2006 POWER LUNCH Persons with Disabilities
Erico Ortiz Richard J & Linda M. Murray
AT&T Foundation/AT&T Excelerator Major Sponsors
Mutual of America
Jim & Julie Peck
Gregory C. Oberland
Abri Health Service
Briggs & Stratton
Betty E. Quadracci Post-Polio Resource Group
Loretta Ochnikowski
Alvin & Marion Birnschein Foundation
Quarles & Brady of SE Wisconsin
Richard Pieper
California Coalition Against Forest County
Potawatomi
Ritz Holman
Butula, Fine A
Anne M. Potkay
Margaret M. Pinchar
Sexual Assault Community Foundation
Robert W. Baird & Co. Foundation
Noreen A. Ryan
Chris Prudhom
Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank
M&I Bank
Roger & Georgia Smith
Mark E. Ryan
Rudolfo Quiles
Patrick & Anna M. Cudahy Fund
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
United Community Center
Anne Schultz Carl & Karen Rauen
Employment Resources, Inc.
UWM -College of Health Sciences
Barbara Ann Stein Dan & Julie Rosenfeld
Faith & Hope Foundation
Gifts $1000 and over
We Energies Corporation Foundation
David & Paula Strelitz
Roundy’s Supermarkets-
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Anonymous
Richard L. Weiss
Tobie & Roxan Tyler ”
We Care” Program
Eugene Hayman
Francis R. Croak
Wellston Properties
Unico Group, Inc.
Sandra Rubin
IndependenceFirst Fund
Lois & Donald Cottrell Fund
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Robert & Mary Unkel
Kelly Ryan
Hnedak Bobo Group
Rocky Cummings
Teresa C. Williams
Dick J. Wade
Cynthia C. Schaus
Housing Authority City of Milwaukee
Eugene & Norma Hayman
WI Paralyzed Veterans of America
John M. Schmid
i-Care
Jane Hawes
Patricia J. Schmidtknecht
Independent Living Council of WI
Gerry & Elaine Mainman
$100-$249
Tonia C. Smith
Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation
Managed Health Services
50 Plus, Inc.
Jim & Cynthia Stoll
Ladish Co. Foundation
(Centene Mgmt.) ACAP, Inc.
Diana Sullivan
Managed Health Services
Joseph & Laura Mantoan
Harold & Marie Alexander
Synergy Health West Bend Clinic
Milwaukee County -Northwestern Mutual
Rick Andritsch
Scott D. & Tracy D Thomas
Department of Aging Park Bank Foundation, Inc.
Cecil Austin
Louise J. Turner
Rockwell Automation
Push America
Badger Association of the Blind
Penelope L. Urben
Social Security Administration
Lucy Rosenberg
Sue K. Bailey
UW-Milwaukee
Stackner Family Foundation
Lee & Julie A. Schulz
Lisa Barczyk
Martha M. Valerio
State of Wisconsin Dept of Health & Family Services
-Division of Child & Family Services
-Division of Disability & Elderly Services
State of Wisconsin Dept of Workforce Development
-Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
James Schwertfeger
Constance Beck
Barbara Wesener
Cheryl Sensenbrenner
Charles & Kristin Severson
Dale & Allison R. Smith
US Bank Championship Milw.
Vulcan Lead
$500-$999
$250-$499
Andrew & Paulette Balint
Charles & Gwen Benner
Jerry L. Benston, Jr.
Francis A. Bongey
Kathleen M. Brooks
Joseph Beiler
Geraldine Biller
Jodi L. Bolander
Lucile Cohn
Yoshiko Dart
Colleen Dawson
Nick DeFino
Stephen C. White
Whitefish Bay Middle School
Extra Curricular
Patricia A. Wrobel
$50-$99
Kathleen Adams
State of Wisconsin,
Division of Health Care Financing
U.S. Department of Justice
-Office on Violence Against Women
U.S. Dept. of Education,
Office of Special Education
Rehabilitative Services
United Community Center
United HealthCare
Anonymous
Mary Sue Braun
Foley & Lardner
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Goodwill Industries of SE Wisconsin
Tim Grittinger
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Hausch Design Agency
I-Care, Inc.
Mark A. Budziszewski
David A. Ciepluch
Combined Federal Campaign of
Southeastern Wisconsin
Community Bank & Trust
Janet T. Corona
Froedtert & Medical College
Frank & Susan Gedelman
Jodie A. Gentz
Dept. of Workforce Development
John L. Dziewa
Bob & Eve Eiseman
Steve French
James H. Ganser
Grace A. Gates
Linda Glaudell
C. Thomas Gnewuch
Andrew K. Grey
Catherine Anderson
Mary Ann Armour
Atlas Development Corporation
Al Balinsky
Anne C. Ballentine
Sherry L. Bantug
Victor & Dawn Barnett
Bette Bayorgeon
Mary Birdsall-Jay
United Way of Greater Milwaukee
Vera Institute of Justice
Waukesha County Community
Development Block Grant
Interfaith Older Adult Programs
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Journal Communications
Kenneth Klauck
James & Linda Ginsburg
Philip & Patricia Girard
James B. & Angela Jodie
Sidney & Betty Lieberman
Gary P. Gruneau
Barbara Hamm
John J. Heinen
Morris C. Henderson, Jr.
Janice Bloch
Paul & Stacey Bodi
Brenda K. Brandt
Robert & Cheryl Burger
Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers
Manpower Foundation, Inc.
Scott Luber
Charles & Donna Luber
Herman Hersh
Mark Clark
Richard M. Marcoux
Robert F. & Adeline Majszak
Medical College of Wisconsin
Peter & Sue Hitler
Leisa Hortman
Rebecca A. Colby
Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun
Milwaukee County Office for Independent Living Council of WI
Carolyn Cutler Tzeel
Karen Najera
Jewish Family Services Dennis Darland
Ronald & Patricia Jodat
Ralph & Barbara Delforge
Moshe & Debra Katz
Theresa J. Delke
Babette Kis Terrence & Janet F. Falk
Lucia Klebar Nancy Fletcher
Lake County Center for IL
David S. Flores
Randall S. Lambrecht Bill & Diane Forman
Thomas J. and Debra L. Langham
Brian Gates
Sharon Lehn Dan Glicklich
Sylvia Luber Elaine Gordon
Frank A. Manzullo III
Susan M. Gramling
John & Meridee Maynard Kelly A. Guthery
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Terry & Joette Heckenbach
Alhaji Y. Hassan
Kevin S. Meyers Amalia Hecker
Bruce & Susan Miller Sylvia Hernandez
John Mitchell IBEW Local Union 2150
Sylvia A. Murn Louise Jaeckels
Maureen Keyes
Duane & Katherine Kobs
Joanne Kolodzik
Mary Kopac
Lori Ladiges
James & Julie Lovrek
Lutheran Social Services
Sharon A. Malenda
Marvin and Ann A. Margolis
Selma Mechanic
Mental Health Association
Jacqueline A. Michlig
Midstate Independent Living Consultants
Jerry & Georgianna Moorbeck
Dennis & Kellie Mueller
Christianne Murn
Howard & Elaine Myers
Mary Kae Nelson
Keith J. Niemuth
Claudia Orugbani
Nancy Padden
Susan Phillips
Laurel Pritzlaff
Professional Events & Consulting
Professional Interpreting Enterprise
Gail L. Reed
Bob & Shirley Reiter
Karen Robison
Gregory J. Rogalinski
Ron Sonntag Public Relations
Michael & Lisa Rosenberg
Gunars & Susan Salnajs
San Fillippo Tax Consulting LLC
Kathleen J. Sawin
Chris & Sue Schaefer
Terry W. Schuh
Jeffrey & Stephanie Sherman
Yvonne Smith
Spina Bifida Association of WI
Toni Spott
St. Catherine Residence
Mary Stewart
Douglas M. Tetzlaff
James & Dorothy Wahner
Mary Wehrle Schnell
West Granville Presbyterian Church
Sandra Zetley
Tribute Gifts
In Honor of Paige Fliess
Sharon Fliess
In Honor of Scott Luber
Geraldine Biller
In Honor of Richard J. Markowski
Gerald T. Markowski
In Memory of Richard Barthel
Roxan Perez
In Memory of Dale Block
Roxan Perez
In Memory of James Bruske, Jr.
Carl & Karen Rauen
In Memory oF Lorraine Corona
Diana Sullivan
In Memory of Jesse Cruz
Roxan Perez
In Memory of Genevieve Dombrowski
Margaret M. Pinchar
In Memory of Gertrude A. Eskra
Barbara Hamm
In Memory of Fred Greasby
Roxan Perez
In Memory of Gilbert Jaeckels
Louise Jaeckels
Aili Lahti Memorial Staff Library
Furman Avery
Pam Beam
Kenneth & Jodi Hosale
Chris & Barbara White
Charlotte Zarnoth
In Memory of Jeri Marcuvitz
Chris & Barbara White
In Memory of Peter Schultz
Anne Schultz
Diana Sullivan
In Memory of Georgiana L. V. White
Scott Luber
Margaret M. Pinchar
Chris & Barbara White
Inkind
2006 POWER LUNCH
Altera
Balzac
Business Journal
Cempazuchi
Philip & Stephanie Chard
Charles Allis &
Villa Terrace Art Museums
Chip and Py’s Restaurant
Corporate Limousine
Eve & Bob Eiseman
Emperor of China
Green Bay Packers
Harley-Davidson Motor Co.
Joseph & Sharon A. Hausch
Wendy L. Huot
Jackson Grill
Joey’s Restaurant
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Charles & Nancy Komp
Lava Lava
Le Club
Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Dept.
Milwaukee School of Flower Design
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Milwaukee Wave
MoCeans-A Place for Seafood
Mo’s A Place For Steak
Park Avenue Salon
P. F. Chang’s China Bistro
Panos’ Char House
Pepino’s Pizza Restorante
Racine Danish Kringle
River Lane Inn
Starbucks
Steamer’s
Special Editions, Inc.
Tony Spott
Tulipmania European Flower Market
Venice Club
Dorothy Wahner
Wellness Connection
Wild Grove Roastery
YMCA
Computer Recycling
Apostleship of Prayer
Astronautico Corp. of America
Badger Association of the Blind
Alan Balkema
Michael Bartzen
Beck, Chaet & Bamberger, S.C.
Gary Benrud
Chris Bering
Bottom Line Marketing &
Public Relations
Shannon E. Bradbury
Robert Brinkman
Catalyst International, Inc.
Philip & Stephanie Chard
Children’s Hospital of WI
Cornerstone Consulting
Data Dog
DCI Cheese Company
Jerry Deleeuw
Eve Dicker Eiseman
Thomas Fisher
Gale & Sunny Mendeloff
Gendlin & Liverman
Michael A. Gordon
Gray Cat Studio
Rev. Dr. Bobbie Groth
Mary Haberman
David Henderson
Jean Jablonowski
Nancy Joseph
Kenneth Kauer
Christine Knipple
James Kosik
Alie Kriofske Mainella
Kelly Larson
James & Julie Lovrek
Kathleen Luckas Sommers
Russ Mauger
Carole McFarlin
Medical College of WI
Tom Merz
Milwaukee Aging Consortium
Milwaukee Art Museum
Monterey Mills
Mortgage Data Management Corp.
Munger Technical Services
Leslie A. Myers
My-Lin Mfg., Inc.
Stephanie Netzel
Wayne Parker
Fran Parson
Roger P. Paulsen
JoEllen Pfundheller
Jean Phippen
Poblocki Paving Corp.
Patricia Radzin
Gail L. Reed
Tom Richter
Anne Saragnese
Chery Schiller
Mary Schnell
Toni Spott
Dan Stefanich
Patti Stengel
Jim & Cynthia Stoll
Stowell Associates, Inc.
Diana Sullivan
T. E. Brennan Company
Trinity Episcopal Church
Christine Ullstrup
Vulcan Lead
Brian Warneke
Anne Warwick
Anne Weiland
Steven Weisman
Jody Zoelzer Levine
Other
Furman Avery
Pam Beam
Debbie Bodden
Core/El Centro
Kenneth and Jodi Hosale
Leslie Jenner
Ann Kaszuba
James & Julie Lovrek
Alice Machos
Leslie A. Myers
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Eric Timmler
James & Dorothy Wahner
Chris & Barbara White
Wisconsin Coaltion for Advocacy
Charlotte Zarnoth
2006 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Luis Arroyo, Chair
Attorney,
Michael Best & Friedrich
John Mitchell, Vice-Chair
Vice President,
Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company
Robert Unkel, Secretary
Partner,
Unkel Management & Marketing
Solutions, LLC
Frank Gedelman, Treasurer
Consultant,
Applied Management, LLC
Michael Ash, Attorney,
Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Barbara Corriveau, CPA Director,
BDO Seidman, LLP
Rocky Cummings, CPA
Reinhart Consulting
Bob Driscoll
Mental Health Advocate,
Community Volunteer
Patricia Jerominski, President/CEO,
iCare
Ron Jodat
Retired Professor
Marquette University,
Retired Executive,
Marintime Savings Bank
Angela Jodie
Community Volunteer
Dalphina Johnson
Community Volunteer/Advocate
Ron Johnson
Community Volunteer/Advocate
Ronald Kuramoto
Owner/Principal Consultant,
Further Education Consulting
Dave Strelitz
Senior VP and Regional Manager,
Associated Wealth Management
Tobie Tyler
Former Police Officer,
ADA Activist
Martha Valerio
VP-Info Research Analysis,
Northwestern Mutual