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2012: IndependenceFirst Annual Report

2012 proved to be a year of unequaled political uncertainty, changes to long-term care policies and challenges for our Board of Directors and staff to move forward.

Politically, the Governor’s recall and the State and Presidential elections created an environment of uncertainty around health and long-term care. We advocated for overturning the freeze on Family Care as did most disability advocates and in November, after the July reinstatement of Family Care, for the first time ever the waiting list for eligible persons with disabilities was ended.

Our Personal Assistant Services (PAS) program continued to expand and, by year end, we were assisting 1,534 individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence. Our Youth Leadership Program continues to grow as does the collaborative Biking Buddies Program.

DearFriends >>Letter from the Board Chair and President + CEO

Lee SchulzPresident & CEO

New collaborative efforts included providing staff and facility to support the Ability Connection employment program and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association-Wisconsin Chapter.

In September, IndependenceFirst merged with the Wheelchair Recycling Program to create the IndependenceFirst Mobility Store. We anticipate that our combined resources will allow for the further expansion of this vital resource to persons with disabilities.

The Board of Directors along with community volunteers directed an immense amount of time and energy to long-term facility and financial analysis. That effort culminated in IndependenceFirst’s purchase of our existing offices in December. This will allow the Agency to eventually spend more resources on services and less on rent or facility costs.

2013 will have expected and unexpected challenges, but we believe that we have the staff and board expertise, facilities, and resources to continue to advocate for equal access, appropriate services, and support for persons with disabilities.

John SchmidBoard Chair

President and CEO Board Chair

PeopleServed >>2012: Consumer Summary

337 low-income people with disabilities received a refurbished computer they otherwise couldn’t afford, breaking down the digital divide and promoting online peer support, information gathering and employment pre-skills development.

194 sports/recreation opportunities were heldfor kids & adults w/disabilities – promoting wellness, teamwork, sportsmanship, fun & exercise.

The Milwaukee Wave indoor soccer teamgave out our “Same But Different” kids’ Coloring/Activity book to the first 1,500 fans under 12 at a game. The book has also been distributed in classrooms and at community events to promote

inclusion of kids with disabilities.

Innovation in Action >>

Stride &Glide >>

On March 3, 2012over 200 runners, walkers, wheelers and skaters came to Stride & Glide for IndependenceFirst at Wisconsin State Fair Park and the Pettit National Ice Center. It was the first year we added a 5K fun run to the event. We kicked off the excitement earlier in the year at SPiN Milwaukee with some ping pong fun.

A Night for<< Independence

On May 23, 2012over 400 people attended the “Night for Independence” (formerly the POWER DINNER) featuring comedienne, actress and author Geri Jewell. We thank all volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual attendees for their fundraising support for our work assisting individuals with disabilities to live independently in our community.

Gift List2012 >>We would like to thank everyone who donated

We sincerely appreciate the support of our individual donors, foundation partners and corporate sponsors— without your support we would not be able to positively impact the thousands of people living with disabilities we serve each year in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Your monetary and in-kind contributions and donations of used computers, mobility and durable medical equipment are greatly appreciated.

With your support we are able to provide:

And many more individual events, training sessions, group and individual program activities.

Independent Living Skills TrainingPeer SupportInformation & ReferralAdvocacyAssistive TechnologyBenefits & Employment ServicesComputer Recycling & Training

The Mobility StoreAccessibility ConsultationsPersonal Assistance ServicesNursing Home TransitionYouth LeadershipWisLoan & TeleworkWheelchair Sports & Adaptive Recreation

Grants/ContractsAlvin & Marion Birnschein Foundation, Inc.Brewer’s Community FoundationCare Wisconsin First, Inc.Christopher & Dana Reeve FoundationCommunity Care, Inc.CVS CaremarkEmployment Resources, Inc.Evan & Marion Helfaer FoundationGreater Menomonee Falls FoundationGreater Milwaukee Foundation - Eugene Hayman IndependenceFirst Fund - Norma & Eugene Hayman Charitable Fund - Catherine & Walter Lindsey Foundation Fund - J. Michael & Virginia McBride Fund - Luedke-Smith Fund - Louise Uihlein Snell Fund Helen Bader Foundation

iCareIndependent Living Council of WisconsinJewish Community FoundationManaged Health ServicesMilwaukee County – Disabilities Services DivisionMilwaukee County - Department of Family CareMolina HealthcareNorthern BridgesNorthwestern Mutual FoundationOrtgeisen FoundationPark Bank FoundationPublic Service Commission of WisconsinPush AmericaRockwell Automation Charitable CorporationService Club of MilwaukeeStackner Family Foundation

State of Wisconsin, Departments of - Children & Family Services - Health Services - Workforce DevelopmentU.S. Dept. of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Rehabilitative ServicesU. S. Dept of LaborU.S. Social Security AdministrationUnited HealthCareUnited Way of Greater MilwaukeeUniversity of Wisconsin - StoutWisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers Wisconsin Energy FoundationWisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training & Support

Building/Major Donor Campaign544 S. 1st Street, LLC

Gifts $1,000 and over544 S. 1st Street, LLCAdmirals Power Play FoundationRobert & Kathleen AngerAnonymousAssociated BankAlfred BaderBMO Harris BankCharles D. Otgiesen FoundationCommunity Heath Charities DonorsMary DavidsonDominiczak Therapy Associates, LLCWilliam E. GardnerGoodwill Industries of Southeastern WisconsinGordon Flesch Company

Arthur HarringtonDrs. Jane Hawes & ShapiroI-Care Inc.Interfaith Older Adult ProgramsIrgensJeffrey A. JoerresJohnson Controls, Inc.Anita KatzMoshe & Debra KatzTed D. KellnerDouglas A. LackeyLadish Co. FoundationLois & Donald Cottrell Fund BGerry & Elaine MainmanManaged Health Services (Centene Mgmt.)Christopher & Stephanie McConvilleMilwaukee County Dept. of Family CareMolina Healthcare of WIMutual of AmericaNational Insurance Services

Park Bank Foundation, Inc.PNC Financial Services GroupPotawatomi Bingo CasinoPush AmericaAnn K. RaislerDavid RiceRitz Holman LLPJohn M. SchmidThomas & Judith SchmidLee & Julie SchulzService Club of Milwaukee, Inc.Sorenson Communications, Inc.United Community CenterUnited Way Dane County DonorsMartha M. ValerioVulcan Global Mfg. SolutionsWe EnergiesWells Fargo Bank, N.A.Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

$500-$999Chubb Federal Insurance CompanyRichard G. ChudnowRoy N. CookCooper Power Systems LLCCraig & Jane CooperFrank & Susan GedelmanJohn & Cheryl GehringerMichael J. GuzniczakIntegrated Pain & Health Center & Goodyear Health CenterMichael & Crystal JohnsonThomas & Cheryl LightholderScott LuberM & H Industrial Service, Inc.Mark & Lucie MullNew Berlin TherapiesStephen & Roxann Reinders

Lucy RosenbergThe Sigma GroupJ. J. StanwyckJo A. SteinbergWest Bend Mutual Insurance Co. Charitable FundWoller-Anger & Company, LLC

$250-$499Mary Ann ArmourMichael BarberPhilip & Stephanie ChardCombined Federal Campaign of Eastern WICreative Business InteriorsDennis & Maria DabelGreater Milwaukee Foundation-Jorgensen Family FundBarbara Hamm

Herbert H. Kohl Charities, IncGeorge HoffmanKenneth KlauckDennis KrakauRon KuramotoLoehrke Family Charitable FoundationCharles & Donna LuberNorthern Management LLCNorthwestern MutualNorthwoods Animal HospitalSandra RubinAnne SchultzPaul & Christy SchwanRoger & Corine ShermanMichael & Christine SinickiRoger & Georgia SmithRon TaylorUnico Group, Inc.Stephen C. White

Wilson Family Foundation, Inc.Richard & Judi WislaJohn & Jean Wolak

$100-$249Allen & Murphy LLPJason & Haley AndersonJim & Becky AndersonAnonymous Stride & GlideKevin & Lizanne ArmstrongMichael & Patricia AshKaren L. AveryGlenn & Rebecca BanksLisa A. BarczykJill Barry-KesslerDeanna BaurDeb BeckEdward & Barbara Beckert

Mary A. Birdsall-JayKristina BleekeRobert & Cheryl BurgerJennifer BurghausJoseph & Janice CapitoForrest & Kathy CeelMolly CiscoJudson ColemanYoshiko DartDeRosa CorporationMartin & Nancy DitkofDJW Enterprises, Inc.Dryit Carpet Dry Cleaning, Inc.Eve EisemanThayre FaustFreyberg Hinkle Ashland Powers & Stowell S.C.James H. Ganser

David & Laura GlisczinskiHarley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarvey’s Central GrilleJoellen HegwoodMorris C. Henderson, Jr.Laurel G. HenschelDaniel & Ellen HintzMargaret JamesJames B. & Angelina JodieWilliam & Lee Ann KingstonJonathan KlickaMark KoehnekeRichard & Susan KolbeRobert & Rose KorolLakeside Curative ServicesThomas J. & Debra L. LanghamGregory LedesmaSidney & Betty LiebermanRobert Lunda

Alan & Rita MarcuvitzBarbara MarkoffRita McCain-WalkerJohn P. MitchellMraz Import Automotive, Inc.Murn & Associates, LLCKaren NajeraLaurie OcepekLoretta OchnikowskiLaurel PritzlaffMaria RamosCarl & Karen RauenRobert & Margaret RauhGreg RenzDan & Julie RosenfeldRoger & Cynthia SchausJanet H. SchmelingAmalia SchooneJohn & Anne Sherman

Athena SinclairDaniel SkeltonSPiN MilwaukeeSpina Bifida Association of Wisconsin, Inc.James & Katherine ThielTracy ThomasTobie Tyler & Roxan PerezUnited HeartlandRobert & Mary UnkelPenelope L. UrbenUS Bank Information TechnologyJudith Van TillSara WalkerMary L. Wehrle-SchnellTimothy & Susan WellsBrian & Rebekah WickertZeiler Landscape LLC

$50-$99Accident Fund Holdings, Inc.Stephen AdamsADAPT SE WISandy AdlandRik & Cynthia AkeyDan AllemandKathleen Meisner-AltmanJason R. AltmannThom & Roxanne AndersonJudy BairdJames BednallRobert & Mayra CalderonDavid & Mary Carol CannonRichard & Patricia CowellDisability Rights WisconsinThomas & Sandra DunstKaren Erwin

Jane FallsCarl & Betty FeiersteinWilliam & Barbara FoyNicole FulghumJustin GedelmanCharles & Lisa GloverJenny GryniewiczPaul & Christine HakalaDebra HoedelGeorge L. & Pamela F. HolmesAl & Terri HornikKaren HuntBruce & Kathleen HupferJoey Buono’s RestaurantDenise A. JohnsonMichael JungenGeorge & Patricia KashouRoxanne Knoelke-AndersonMaureen Koch

Casey & Becky LenzThomas & Laurie LevenhagenMargaret LindbergZachary & Sarah LiskaSari E. LuberKevin D. MakowskiMarvin & Ann A. MargolisRochelle MarinoMarshall & Ilsley Trust Company NAToni MartinChrista E. McCarthyMary McCormickJohn & Janice McHughCindi McLeodMedical College of WISunny MendeloffJoseph & Karla MendollaMilwaukee Kickers Soccer ClubRudolph & Jane Moravcik

Dean & Rose Mary MullerMary Ellen MuthLeslie A. MyersLora OttKoleshia K. PageLaura PattenPersonal Touch Marketing, Inc.Deanne E. PhillipsPost-Polio Resource Group of SE WisconsinAnne M. PotkayR & R Auto ServiceCarla J. ReginiReich Tool & Design, Inc.Katie RittenhousePaul & Diane RosenbergChris SchneiderAlex & Desiree SchollSteven & Alice Sedgwick

Marsha SehlerIgnatius & Nancy SmetekDerek SmithKaren SobczakStanislaus L. SpenceJon & Kristin SternSteven M Orcholski Commercial UpholsteryMorgyn StranahanChristine StranskyCallen StrunkDiana SullivanRobert & Whinter TreffertStephanie M. TruckenmillerUnited Way Metro Chicago DonorsThomas UyeharaVolunteers of America of WIDavid & Carol VossMargo WinterGina ZarconeZoological Society of Milwaukee County

Tributes and MemorialsIn Honor of Julie Alexander Mary ForlenzaIn Honor of Jessi & Joe Gallenberger Morgyn StranahanIn Honor of Scott Luber Alan & Rita MarcuvitzIn Honor of Nate Miron Cindi McLeodIn Honor of Ben Nelson Greater Menomonee Falls Foundation-SMA FundIn Honor of John M. Schmid Thomas & Judith SchmidIn Honor of Martha Valerio Mary L. Wehrle-SchnellIn Memory of BJ Chris & Barbara White

In Memory of Eugene Hayman Jane Falls Mark & Patricia Pawasarat Barbara Hamm George L. & Pamela F. Holmes Ronald & Patricia Jodat Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company NA Medical College of WI Northwoods Animal Hospital Paul & Diane Rosenberg Lee & Julie Schulz Scribner Cohen & Co., S.C. Steven & Alice Sedgwick Christine Stransky Judith Van TillIn Memory of Leona T. Stoiber Timothy & Susan WellsIn Memory of Michael Zittel Karen McGuigan

Thank You!IndependenceFirst would like to thank everyone who donated goods and services that helped support our programs, services and events in 2012, including but not limited to: computer equipment, household furnishings, graphic design, floral arrangements and more. We are extremely grateful for your contributions.

Total Volunteers: 485

Total Service Hours for 2012: 9,397

New Volunteers in 2012: 120

Average Hours of Service per Week: 4

Gender: 56% Female, 44% Male

Volunteer

<< Stats

Statement ofActivities >>Year Ended December 31, 2012

REVENUE U.S. Department of Education Center for Independent Living 315,784 U.S. Department of Labor 44,819 Social Security Administration 49,571 State of Wisconsin Center for Independent Living 31,591 WisTech - Assistive Technologies 36,667 AODA 106,224 Department of Children & Families 36,814 ADA Access 12,136 Milwaukee County 1,500 United Way 51,590 Personal Assistance Services Program 32,401,579 Foundations / Grants 208,905 Entrepreneurial Efforts 12,577 Investment Income 1,337,019 Fund Development 43,768Capital Campaign Contributions 50,000Program Service Fees 316,393Rent Income 7,746Donated Facilities 24,438Mobility Store Sales 49,667Mobility Store Inventory Value Adjustment 96,707 Contribution Received in Acquisition of Wheelchair Recycling Program 486,914 Other Revenue 192,221 Total Revenue 35,914,630

EXPENSES Salaries / Burdens 31,109,308 Operational 1,030,883 Contractual Services 389,201 General / Administrative Expenses 1,737,992 Total Expenses 34,267,384 Change in Net Assets 1,647,246 Net Assets, Beginning of the Year 18,555,668 NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR 20,202,914

John Schmid-Chair-Project Specialist, WE EnergiesBob Burger-Vice Chair-Area Manager, Aquent, LLCAngelina Jodie-Secretary-Retired Administrator, Medical College of WisconsinCraig Cooper-Treasurer-Senior Vice President/CFO, Batteries Plus, LLCRobert Davis-At Large-President & CEO, Zoological Society of MilwaukeePaul Wierzba-At Large-Regional Vice President, Mutual of AmericaJudi Wisla-At Large-Executive Sales Associate, First Weber Realtor GroupJason Altmann-Personal Development Specialist, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeFrank Gedelman-Consultant, Applied Management, LLCGwen Jackson-Retired Human Resources Vice President, American Red CrossChris McConville-President & CEO, Lorence Manufacturing Corp.Dean Muller-Vice President and Financial Advisor, Morgan StanleyJudy Murphy-Retired Senior Vice President, BMO Harris Global Asset ManagementFelisa Parris-Graduate Academic Advisor, Marquette UniversityNoreen Ryan-Retired Office Supervisor, Division of Vocational RehabilitationIgnatius Smetek-President/Chief Investment Officer, Arcataur Capital ManagementJeremiah Swisher-Community Volunteer/AdvocateMartha Valerio-Persona Emeritus-Retired Vice President-Information Systems, Northwestern Mutual

Board ofDirectors >>

>>

Lee Schulz-President & CEOKaren Avery-Vice President Independent Living ServicesGinger Reimer-Vice President Personal Assistance ServicesScott Luber-Administrative Director Wendy Huot-Finance DirectorTracy Thomas-Controller

2012 Administrative Management

540 South 1st StreetMilwaukee, WI 53204-1605

414-291-7520 (Voice/TTY)414-291-7525 (Fax)

www.independencefirst.org

IndependenceFirst is a non-profit agency directed by, and for the benefit of,

people with disabilities. We primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington

and Waukesha counties. Our agency mission is to effectively facilitate

empowerment of individuals with disabilities through:

Education. Advocacy. Independent Living Services. Coalition Building.

We promote diversity and multicultural participation in our operation and

services. The four “core” services offered are: independent living skills training,

peer support, advocacy, and information and referral services to people with

disabilities.

IndependenceFirst provides services to people of ALL ages, with ALL types of

disabilities.