Metropolitan Center for Independent Living

02/17/2026

MCIL is grateful to The Elite Success Magazine for their latest article, which highlights the direct care crisis and our ongoing efforts to solve it.

"The direct care crisis is one of the most serious humanitarian challenges facing civil society today ... These static policies block stability. They erode personal dignity. They create fear around earning, saving, or accepting help from family. Over time, these pressures compound and trap people in cycles of dependency."

MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez "believes lasting change begins when care is treated as a shared responsibility, not a hidden cost, for everyone involved."

Read the full article, "Rethinking Care with Constitutional Responsibility and Purpose," at the link below:

https://theelitesuccess.com/2026/02/14/jesse-bethke-gomez/

02/16/2026

Have you taken the Long COVID Community Survey yet?

As the medical community learns more about Long COVID every day, the impacts on the lives of people with disabilities are becoming increasingly clear. To better understand these impacts, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), a leader in education and outreach on the topic, is launching a new survey and seeking community participation.

The experiences of people with disabilities—including those currently living with Long COVID—are invaluable to this work. MCIL, in partnership with Access Press and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), encourages all community members to share their perspectives.

Take the MCIL Long COVID Community Survey:

This Long COVID survey is being conducted in partnership with the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), Access Press, and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). MCIL is a 501(c)3 statutory nonprofit with a mission to advance the independent living of people with disabilities by remov...

02/10/2026

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other relevant laws, government agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are required to provide the necessary auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.

To help you advocate for yourself, Deaf Equality has created a downloadable letter that you can carry with you in your pocket, wallet, or bag. This letter explains your rights and lists the types of services you may need, so you can share it with ICE officers, attorneys, or facility staff.

Learn more at the link below:

September 22, 2025September 25, 2025Press ReleaseHoward RosenblumWhat Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Need to Know About ICEThere has been a lot of action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws. This video, produced by Deaf Equalit...

02/04/2026

"It’s not too much to ask for a system that protects taxpayer dollars without sacrificing the lives, dignity, and independence of Minnesotans with disabilities. We will not be collateral damage."

Click the link below to read "Caught in the crossfire: Minnesota’s fraud war and ICE influx are devastating for those with disabilities" from Access Press:

Recently, Minnesota was shaken by a series of fraud scandals. At first, this fraud just looked like a massive waste […]

02/03/2026

Community input on Long COVID needed!

As the medical community learns more about Long COVID every day, the impacts on the lives of people with disabilities are becoming increasingly clear. To better understand these impacts, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), a leader in education and outreach on the topic, is launching a new survey and seeking community participation.

The experiences of people with disabilities—including those currently living with Long COVID—are invaluable to this work. MCIL, in partnership with Access Press and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), encourages all community members to share their perspectives.

Learn more on the Access Press website:
https://accesspress.org/community-input-on-long-covid-needed/

Take the MCIL Long COVID Community Survey:
https://mcil-mn.org/mcil-long-covid-community-survey/

01/21/2026

MCIL is proud to announce that it has been awarded $24,000 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2025 Direct Effect 1st Cycle Quality of Life grants.

"The Quality of Life grant is a validation of the PCA College Service Corps' potential to advance vibrant communities which in turn is necessary to expand a sustainable economy. This program brings a mindful, human-centered approach to a national crisis, holding great promise in improving the lives of people living with disabilities while building a dedicated workforce of direct care providers. We are grateful to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for their support of this endeavor." -Jesse Bethke Gomez, MCIL Executive Director

Click the link below to learn more:

https://mcil-mn.org/mcil-pca-college-service-corps-program-receives-24000-quality-of-life-grant-from-the-christopher-dana-reeve-foundation/

01/20/2026

The United Spinal Association Advocacy Network Care Support Working Group is hosting a panel that brings together caregivers from across the country to share their perspectives and answer questions about care support in the United States.

Register: https://unitedspinal.org/events/caregiver-panel-bridging-the-gap/

01/08/2026

“Solutions emerge from the courage, commitment, and compassion of people to act for the greater good and common good.” -Jesse Bethke Gomez

Thank you to Business Lens Media for their January 2026 cover story, "Jesse Bethke Gomez: Redefining Executive Leadership Through Purpose and Precision."

🌍 Business Lens Media Presents: Jesse Bethke Gomez – Redefining Executive Leadership Through Purpose and Precision

💡 Cover Story Spotlight on Jesse Bethke Gomez – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

In a time when healthcare systems face workforce shortages, structural strain, and growing demands for dignity and access, Jesse Bethke Gomez stands out as a leader shaping lasting impact through clarity, accountability, and human-centered strategy. As Executive Director of the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, his leadership bridges rigorous executive discipline with deep humanitarian purpose.

Working at the intersection of governance, healthcare innovation, and social systems, Jesse is advancing solutions that strengthen independent living, address critical workforce challenges, and elevate care through rights-based, scalable frameworks — proving that sustainable progress emerges when strategy is aligned with dignity and human potential.

🔗 Read his full story in our latest edition: https://shorturl.at/RWdkY

01/05/2026

Happy New Year! Start 2026 with one of MCIL's free self advocacy classes, available in person or online. Here is our January schedule:

January 7: Goal Setting & Realistic Planning Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

January 12: Housing Class
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

January 14: Driver's Ed Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

January 21: Breaking Down Self Advocacy Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

January 26: Housing Class
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

January 28: Driver's Ed Class
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Click here to check out the full winter schedule and register: https://bit.ly/458DBaj

Enhance your independent living skills, sign up today!

12/29/2025

"What gives me hope to carry on is my ability to work with young people, because in their life experience, they have noticed that people with disabilities are all around them. And so, they have an accepting posture and they are really the future of rights and of advocacy for us." -Michelle, MCIL Assistant Director of Administration

"There is still going to be a tomorrow." In this video, MCD Council Member Myrna and guests Michelle and Jaye discuss the importance of fighting for future g...

12/10/2025

Do you have questions about where to get vaccinated? Minnesota Department of Health has an online resource to help, click the link below to learn more.

Start with your medical home – a place you regularly receive health care. If your medical home is unable to vaccinate you, other options include Local Health Departments or Community Health Boards, pharmacies, or retail locations.