Southern Minnesota Independent Living Enterprises & Services (SMILES)

About Us

SMILES Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 by consumers, professionals, and community advocates to serve people with any type of disability and people of all ages in Southern Minnesota’s Region Nine with offices in Fairmont, Mankato, New Ulm, and Waseca.

Certified by the State of Minnesota to operate as a Center for Independent Living, SMILES is a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit organization designed and operated by people with disabilities. At a minimum, 51% of staff and 51% of Board members must have a disability.

The organization is mission-driven. SMILES is committed to providing a wide array of services that assist individuals with disabilities to live independently, pursue meaningful goals, and enjoy the same opportunities and choices as all persons.