NEW ULM — Commissioners heard a client programs overview from Mankato Rehabilitation Center Inc. (MRCI) Chief Business and Marketing Officer Tami Reuter Tuesday.

The social services organization serves people with disabilities at home, at work and in the community.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Brown County Commissioner Dave Borchert for his leadership as MRCI Board Chairman for the past year and a half. He’s done a fantastic job,” Reuter said.

MRCI began in 1953 in Mankato as a physical therapy organization operated by volunteers concerned about the effects of the polio epidemic and injured veterans coming home from war.

Within 10 years, MRCI’s focus changed to occupational therapy and later expanded to include mental illness.

“Seventy years ago, the State of Minnesota institutionalized people with disabilities,” said Reuter.

In the 60s, the day training and habilitation program began providing in-house services for individuals with developmental disabilities. MRCI began center-based employment programs with community business partners. The MRCI Auxiliary established the Mankato Thrift Shop to help raise money for programs.

In the 80s, MRCI offices opened in New Ulm, Fairmont, Burnsville and Chaska. MRCI developed a welfare to work program and program performance evaluation system to ensure consumer expectations were met. New offices later opened in Mankato East Park and Rosemount.

MRCI transitioned to a 100% community-based organization during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

With a staff of more than 200, the private, non-profit organization empowers more than 5,000 people a year in Southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro. One of Minnesota’s largest and most diverse providers of employment and day services, MRCI focuses on people it serves with programs and individual planning.

“MRCI helps people by providing skill training, coaches them on resume writing and interview skills and helps find them jobs. The EASE (embracing aging through social engagement) program serves the disabled age 55 and over seeking meaningful experiences to fill their day as an alternative to work,” Reuter said.

She said veterans who want to stay home are eligible for MRCI services through the Veterans Administration.

“We don’t have to open buildings for services. We have 91 vans operating daily. We serve 77 Brown County clients. We serve people from here to Bismarck, N.D.” said Reuter.

Borchert said a recent New Ulm Police community service program included a talk to MRCI clients in New Ulm about crime prevention and avoiding scams.

Reuter said the need for staff and financial donations is great.

For more information, visit www.mymrci.org/