SMILES - Mankato, Minnesota

Southern Minnesota Independent Living Enterprises and Services
Center for Independent Living - Mankato, Minnesota

Celebrating 17 years of Service

Working to Empower People With Disabilities since 1990!

Mark your calendars for May 15 and 16. SMILES will be holding its 4th Annual Computer/Electronic Recycling Fundraising Event at River Hills Mall. Click HERE for more information.

It's that time of year again and SMILES will be hosting our SUMMER Rec Events. Click here to find out more on our Fishing events in Mankato and Fairmont.

Our Mission		Our Philosophy
SMILES Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization committed to providing a wide array of services that assist individuals with disabilities that live independently, pursue meaningful goals, and enjoy the same opportunities and choices as all persons.		SMILES believes that people with disabilities have the right to: Live as independently as their abilities allow Receive services based on need Enjoy the same access to opportunities as all persons Exercise self-determination Access programs which maximize their potential Integrate within the community Maintain employment that enhances a feeling of self-worth and independence Enjoy guaranteed constitutional and human rights Choose from available options And receive assistance that leads to independence.

SMILES Values of Service

CONSUMER CONTROL

SMILES is guided by consumer and stakeholder involvement at all levels of development, responsibility, and operation within the organization.
In this way community integration and self-determination become the entitlement and responsibility of each individual served by the organization.

CONSUMER NEED BASED

SMILES values the consumers we serve and seeks to provide authentic, accurate, assessments. We proactively locate resources within our service delivery area that are responsive to and reflective of identified needs.

INDIVIDUALIZED

SMILES works to empower consumer aspirations and needs thus independent living plans and services are developed with full consumer investment, participation, and service flexibility.

COMMUNITY BASED

SMILES believes common community settings and social interactions integrate people with disabilities providing them with the greatest opportunities available to cultivate knowledge, skills, and attitudes that ensure true and valued inclusion.
SMILES cultivates and facilitates partnerships with a wide array of community service organizations in an effort to avoid competing or segregated services.
SMILES values participation to the fullest extent possible and as a result activities sponsored by the center are located in environments used and assessed by all citizens.

ARCHITECHURAL AND ENVIRONMENT ACCESS

SMILES facilitates service delivery in the least restrictive environments possible for training in residential, social, recreational, and personal development topical areas.
SMILES believes conditions for acquiring, maintaining, and utilizing specific skills of daily and community living are a part of the expected behavioral repertoire of all community members and works to mindfully cultivate this throughout all of its programming activities.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

SMILES values its role as a Center for Independent Living for persons with disabilities and continues to focus on providing timely information, knowledge, support, and resources that individuals need to live, work, and recreate in the nine county service area in which they reside.

709 Front Street, Suite 7
Mankato, Minnesota 56001-3804
(507) 345-7139 v/tty
(507) 345-8429 fax
(888) 676-6498 toll free
Email:

Office Hours: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm