Centers for Independence

07/28/2026

🎶Happy birthday to us! 🎶 Happy birthday to us! 🎶 Happy birthday dear CFI! 🎶 Happy birthday to us! 🎶

Today we’re celebrating 88 years of building healthy, hopeful and inclusive communities. For nearly nine decades, dedicated employees, volunteers, supporters and community partners have helped make our mission possible.

To honor this milestone, we “caught” our team turning up the music, putting on their dancing shoes and celebrating our past, present and future together.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. We’re grateful for the past 88 years and excited for what’s ahead. 🥳

07/24/2026

Today is International Self-Care Day 💙

Self-care can look different for everyone, but it starts with finding what helps you feel your best.

Our LIFE Services clients are sharing ways they care for their mental, physical and emotional well-being.

How do you practice self-care?

07/21/2026

Washington Park Wednesdays is back with a bang this week! Join us at the bandshell for Cool School - A celebration of jazz legacy, musicianship, and the spirit of creative education.

WEDNESDAY, July 22, 5:30-8:30 PM
Free and open to all!

PERFORMERS:
🎺 Troubadours of Rhythm
- a jazz legacy ensemble rooted in vintage swing and dancehall tradition
🎸 Minor Worries
- an indie soul-funk band with sharp songwriting and an expansive live sound
💃🏻 Danceworks
- Milwaukee's premier dance organization, bringing movement to the park

SPECIAL GUESTS: 🍴🎨
Free Meals for Kids from Centers for Independence
Free Family Activities from Artists Working in Education
American Sign Language interpretation from DJC Interpreting Service

PRESENTING SPONSOR: 🙌🏽
Stifel Financial

SEASON SPONSORS: 💫
Harley Davidson Foundation
Milwaukee County Parks
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
VISIT Milwaukee
WMSE 91.7 FM
CAMPAC

Stay tuned for this week's full lineup of vendors and food trucks!

07/14/2026

This week at Washington Park Wednesdays - Ride On! A bike-forward celebration in partnership with Bublr Bikes to celebrate movement, cycling, and sustainable community in Milwaukee. Milwaukee County Transit System will be on site teaching riders how to safely load their bike on the bus. Plus, visit Bublr Bikes at the event for a chance to win a free day pass to explore Milwaukee!

Wednesday, July 15, 5:30-8:30 PM
Free and open to all!

PERFORMERS:
🎤 Vincent Van Great & Amanda Huff
- a dynamic Milwaukee duo delivering soulful, electric, genre-bending sound
🎸 The Art of 3
- boom-bap influenced jazz-soul-hip hop collective
🪘 Red Nation Boyz
- intertribal Indigenous powwow drum circle bringing high energy and community connection

SPECIAL GUESTS: 🍴🎨
Free Meals for Kids from Center for Independence
Free Family Activities from Artists Working in Education
American Sign Language interpretation from DJC Interpreting Service

NIGHTLY SPONSOR: 🚲
Bublr Bikes

PRESENTING SPONSOR: 🙌🏽
Stifel Financial

SEASON SPONSORS: 💫
Harley Davidson Foundation
Milwaukee County Parks
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
VISIT Milwaukee
WMSE 91.7 FM
CAMPAC

07/07/2026

This week, Washington Park Wednesdays kicks off the 2026 season with VENUS RISING – A femme-forward celebration of women in music and the arts!

Wednesday, July 8, 5:30-8:30 PM
Free and open to all!

LIVE MUSIC:
🎤 Ellie Jackson
- a soulful Milwaukee-native vocalist
🎺 Ladies Must Swing
- an 18-strong all-women swing powerhouse
🥁 Devin Drobka
- percussionist and multi-instrumentalist

SPECIAL GUESTS:
🍔 Free Meals for Kids from Centers for Independence
🎨 Family Activities with Artists Working in Education

Stay tuned for this week's full vendor lineup!

PRESENTING SPONSOR: ✨
Stifel Financial

SEASON SPONSORS: 💫
Harley Davidson Foundation
Milwaukee County Parks
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
CAMPAC

Next week 7/15: Ride On!

07/03/2026

As we celebrate independence and community, please note that all programs at our Main Campus (Wells St.) and Bay View Campus are closed today. Our residential and crisis services remain open.

Stay safe, stay cool and enjoy the holiday weekend. 😎🎆

07/01/2026

We're proud to join Benner Beats Hunger in helping feed children healthy, delicious meals while school is out. Together, we're building healthy, hopeful communities one meal at a time.

06/27/2026

Awareness starts with understanding.

PTSD isn’t just flashbacks. It’s a deeply personal condition, shaped by each person’s unique history and experiences.

Every day, our mental health professionals help people with PTSD through caring, trauma informed support.

06/24/2026

Our Food & Nutrition Services program sits at the intersection of two urgent community needs: preparing people with barriers to employment for meaningful work and ensuring children in under-resourced neighborhoods have reliable access to healthy meals. At its core, it's where good food meets good work.

We are incredibly proud of our team for their hard work every day to make sure children in our community have access to healthy meals.

Congratulations to Jean and Janet on being recognized as Friends of Free & Local. Thank you, Hunger Task Force, Inc., for your partnership and dedication to keeping kids fed all year long.

Hunger Task Force is proud to recognize Jean Allen and Janet Grochowski of Centers for Independence as Friends of Free & Local for their critical role in helping coordinate Summer Meals across Milwaukee County.

06/20/2026

Children across Wisconsin are struggling with their mental health, and too many don’t get the care they need.

Your gift could change that.

When you support CFI, you help children access early intervention that builds stability, teaches lifelong coping skills and prevents small challenges from becoming crises. Every child deserves the chance to feel safe, supported and understood.

Will you help a child get the care they need?

Give today: cfihope.org/spring2026/