For over two decades, Midstate Independent Living Choices (MILC) has worked quietly—but powerfully—across central and northern Wisconsin, helping people with disabilities live independently, with dignity and choice. MILC is one of eight Independent Living Centers in the state, each committed to a shared mission of empowering individuals through community-based support, education, and advocacy.
Allowing individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions to remain in their homes—rather than residing in hospitals or nursing homes—offers profound benefits not only to the individual but also to their communities and society at large. For the individual, home and community-based living fosters comfort, autonomy, and emotional well-being by preserving familiar routines, relationships, and surroundings. For communities, it means greater inclusion and the ability to tap into the contributions of people who might otherwise be isolated. From a societal perspective, the economic impact is significant. Home and community-based services (HCBS) are consistently more cost-effective than institutional care. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the average annual cost of nursing home care exceeds $90,000 per person, while comparable in-home services average less than half that amount. These savings ease the burden on Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance systems, while reducing the strain on hospitals and long-term care facilities. Moreover, enabling people to stay in a community setting of their choice their homes helps address the healthcare workforce shortage by decentralizing care and allowing informal caregivers—often family members—to participate in support, further lowering costs and increasing satisfaction.
Yet despite their critical role, organizations Independent Living Centers like MILC are often called “one of the best-kept secrets” in their communities. “People pass our building every day and don’t know we’re here,” says Alex Lena, MILC’s Independent Living Department Manager. But that may be changing thanks to support from the Wispact Foundation.
MILC recently received a $10,000 grant from Wispact will be used to purchase additional portable and modular ramps to their assistive technology loan and demonstration program—an essential but often-overlooked resource that enables individuals to return home safely after surgeries or hospitalizations.
“Getting people back home, and out of institutional settings, is one of the most common and urgent needs we face,” Lena explains. “Our current ramps are great, but limited. With Wispact’s help, we’re adding more versatile ramp systems to serve more people—especially in rural areas and older homes.”
MILC’s work spans five core service areas: information and referral, independent living skills training, advocacy, peer support, and transition services (including support for people re-entering the community from nursing homes or incarceration, and helping youth transition into adulthood and independence). They also operate three mental health recovery-focused drop-in centers and offer home modification assessments and personal assistant services. MILC also helps businesses, organizations, and programs with accessibility consultations and assessments through MILC Business Solutions
“The only requirement to receive services is self-identifying as someone with a disability,” Lena says. “It doesn’t matter your age or the type of disability—if you need help, we’re here.”
With just 30 employees—including a dedicated Independent Living team of eight—MILC covers 11 counties, serving hundreds of people each year and thousands over time. Their partnership with Wispact reflects a shared vision: making sure individuals with disabilities not only have access to resources, but also have the freedom and empowerment to choose how and where they live services are directed.
“It’s about respect, autonomy, and possibility,” Lena notes. “With Wispact’s support, we’re not just helping people get into their homes—we’re helping them stay where they want to be, and thrive.”
To learn more about MILC, visit milc-inc.org. To support Wispact Foundation’s mission of funding innovation and equity for individuals with disabilities, visit wispactfoundation.org. To learn more about Wisconsin’s Independent Living Network visit www.il-wis.net