Since our inception in 1953, MRCI WorkSource, originally known as Mankato Rehabilitation Center, Incorporated, has been providing services to people with disabilities. MRCI is a nonprofit organization that has experienced phenomenal growth and success during our 50 years of operation.
MRCI began as a part-time physical therapy organization operated by volunteers. Within the decade, our focus changed from physical therapy to occupational therapy, and we expanded our services to include individuals with mental illness. MRCI soon became a leader in the rehabilitation field, as well as a "home away from home" for the consumers - people with disabilities or other barriers to employment who use our services.
During the 60's, MRCI's primary focus was on providing employment services. We established the Day Training and Habilitation (DT&H) program, which provided services for people with developmental disabilities and related conditions. MRCI also began an in-house, center-based extended employment program and, in the late 60's, built a 17,000 square foot facility on Holly Lane in Mankato. The MRCI Auxiliary established the Mankato Thrift Shop to help raise funds for MRCI programs.
MRCI become one of the first organizations in the area to provide childcare services when we merged with the "Open Arms" preschool program in the '70's, which later transitioned into the Mankato School system. By the late 70's, we had outgrown our Holly Lane facility and began making plans to build a larger one, complete with computerization.
Expansion characterized MRCI in the 80's. We established offices in Fairmont, New Ulm, Burnsville, and Chanhassen. We also developed an early "Welfare to Work" employment program, thus expanding our mission to include assisting other people with barriers to employment. MRCI also established a program performance evaluation system to ensure we were effectively meeting the expectations of our consumers. The 80's also saw our transition into community based/ supported employment services which resulted in approximately two-thirds of our extended employees finding supported employment.
In 1993, we changed our name from Mankato Rehabilitation Center, Inc to "MRCI." That same year the Minnesota Association of Rehabilitation Facilities recognized MRCI by giving us the "Outstanding Rehabilitation Facility" award. In 1997, the Mankato Area Chamber of Commerce inducted MRCI into the Mankato Area Business Hall of Fame.
In 1999, MRCI WorkSource began providing a full range of welfare to work services in a number of counties. At the end of the 20th century, we began in immense expansion into consumer directed community supports. We currently provide Employer of Record, Fiscal Intermediary, PCA Choice, and Social Security Payer services to almost 800 people. In 2003, we became a Ticket to Work network for Social Security recipients.
Ever changing to reflect emerging needs, MRCI continues to respond to the many communities it now serves. In 2003, MRCI proudly celebrated its half-century tradition of growth and innovation, and we continue our most important work - the support of the achievements of those we serve.