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MICC Joins the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf Clinic: A Day of Golf and Learning

6/7/2023

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On Monday, June 5, 2023, participants from MICC had the opportunity to attend the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf Clinic held at the beautiful Windsong Farms Golf Club. This clinic focuses on teaching golf to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using evidence-based practices. Throughout the day, participants engaged in various golf activities while also practicing important skills such as communication, emotional regulation, motor skills, and social interactions. The clinic was conducted in collaboration with First Tee Minnesota instructors, who provided guidance and support to each participant, regardless of their prior golf experience.
 
Golf Skills and Friendly Competition
MICC participants arrived at the clinic with different levels of golf experience. Under the guidance of the First Tee instructors, they spent an hour learning about the game and developing their golf skills. One of the highlights was a friendly putt off, where participants challenged each other to showcase their putting abilities. Ben Lentz, MICC's Director of Advancement, observed the challenge, noting, "The competition was intense at times, but when someone drained a long put, they all celebrated with high fives and joyful chants. The First Tee instructors provided just enough guidance to let them explore on their own while encouraging everyone to develop skills." The clinic ended with a lucky draw, and MICC Community participant Signe went home as the lucky winner, receiving a new set of golf clubs!
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Celebrating Connection
Following the clinic, MICC participants joined the golfers who had taken part in the Els for Autism Golf Challenge regional event for dinner at the clubhouse. During the event, MICC had the opportunity to present their mission and programs for autistic adults to the guests. The event organizer, Olivia Butler, also shared the impact of the Els for Autism Golf Challenge over the years. This initiative has raised over $33 million to support their global efforts in providing services and building partnerships to improve the lives of people with autism and their caregivers.
A Valued Recommendation
MICC's participation in the #GameON Autism Golf Clinic was made possible through a recommendation by Dr. Cindy Nollette, MICC National Advisory Board member, to the Els of Autism Foundation. Dr. Nollette recognized the alignment between MICC's mission and the foundation's goals and submitted a referral on their behalf. MICC is grateful to have been selected as a regional participant this year and looks forward to continuing our partnership with the Els for Autism Foundation in the future.

The Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf Clinic at Windsong Farms Golf Club provided MICC participants with a day of learning and enjoyment. Through the guidance of First Tee instructors, they had the opportunity to improve their golf skills while also developing important life skills. The clinic's emphasis on communication, emotional regulation, motor skills, and social interactions ensured a well-rounded experience. Additionally, MICC's participation in the clinic allowed them to connect with others who share a passion for supporting individuals with autism. The collaboration between MICC, the Els for Autism Foundation, and First Tee showcases the power of partnerships in promoting inclusivity.

MICC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for autistic and neurodivergent young adults. Since its founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to supporting participants in successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC participants achieve sustained, independent living; rewarding employment; financial security; personal growth; and responsible citizenship. We champion all participants, carry their successes into the world, and collaborate with others in service of our vision.

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Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.
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Careers Spotlight: Thalia

5/30/2023

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Welcome to the Starbucks in Richfield, where something special is brewing! This particular Starbucks is not just your average coffee shop—it's a part of a remarkable MICC Careers Program work partner. Let's dive into the story.

Karen, the dedicated manager of this Starbucks, has a profound passion for both coffee and people. She genuinely cares about her customers, her staff, and making a positive impact in the community. In fact, we're fairly certain that Karen also considers MICC a vital part of that list. Back in 2021, she had an inspiring conversation with her supervisor about finding new ways to empower and support individuals in their personal and professional growth.

​And guess what? The universe seemed to align perfectly. Today, we're celebrating Thalia, one of Starbucks' shining stars and a proud MICC participant. Thalia is whipping up delicious pumpkin spice lattes with the skill and finesse of someone who's been doing it all her life.

Karen's commitment to her customers is unwavering. She understands the importance of building genuine connections and believes that passion is the key to success. "When you truly love what you do, not only do you excel, but your entire team thrives, and customers can feel that too. It's what makes our Starbucks stand out, and it's how our family keeps growing," Karen passionately shares. Her motto is as simple as it is powerful: "A happy team is a productive team."

As we celebrate Thalia's work anniversary, let's take a moment to congratulate her on her dedication and growth. She continues to find joy and fulfillment in her role at Starbucks, thanks to the incredible opportunities offered by the Careers Program.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Starbucks team for their unwavering commitment and the exceptional experiences they create.


​MICC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for autistic and neurodivergent young adults. Since its founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to supporting participants in successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC participants achieve sustained, independent living; rewarding employment; financial security; personal growth; and responsible citizenship. We champion all participants, carry their successes into the world, and collaborate with others in service of our vision.

​
Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.
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Participant of the Month - Emily

5/12/2023

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​Introducing Emily, MICC’s Participant of the Month for May! As a first-year student in the College Program, Emily has already made a remarkable impact on the community.
 
Participant of the Month is awarded by nominations from both peers and staff for individuals who have clearly demonstrated one or more of our three R’s: responsibility, resilience, and respect. Let's dive into what makes her a deserving recipient of this recognition.
 
According to Emily’s nominations, it's clear that her resilience, responsibility, and dedication played a significant role. One nomination described her as hardworking, focused, and determined in preparation for certificate interviews and the Careers Program.
 
Emily's commitment to self-advocacy and open communication with staff and advisors about her concerns demonstrates her maturity and proactive approach to her college experience.
 
Additionally, her active participation in classes and her ability to create connections with peers contribute to a positive learning environment for all.
 
Emily's resilience was further showcased when she found a creative way to make up an assignment by including a peer from another program year and connecting over lunch. This problem-solving and adaptive mindset highlight Emily's determination to excel and grow academically.
 
When asked about her favorite memory or thing about MICC, Emily couldn't choose just one. She shared, "So many memories and things: friendships, dedicated staff, passion projects, learning and self-improvement, Cheers Pablo excursion, apartment incentive outing to MOA, writing certificate letters." It's clear that Emily has embraced the diverse experiences and opportunities that MICC offers, creating a vibrant college journey.
 
Emily's enthusiasm extends to her classes, electives, and socials. She enjoys a wide range of activities, including SEL-type classes, art classes, art socials, Careers classes, Advisory, and Apartment Circle. Her diverse interests and active participation in various activities contribute to her growth and engagement at MICC.
 
Let's get to know Emily better with two fun facts about her. Firstly, she delights in Japanese sweets and marble soda, showcasing her appreciation for different cultures and experiences. Secondly, Emily prefers physical games over digital ones, highlighting her love for active and interactive pastimes.
 
Congratulations, Emily, for being recognized as the May Participant of the Month!


Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.
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Autism Awareness vs Autism Acceptance

4/28/2023

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Welcome back to our journey in discussing autism – same time, same blog!

This is the final chapter of a month-long analysis about the woes and discoveries of autism. I would highly recommend reading the first two pieces before this one, as they will all come together in the end.
Participant Feature 1: A Trip Through Metaphor Meadows
Participant Feature 2: Why Is Autism Acceptance Important
This might come as a shock for some of you, but I’m here to confess that I do, in fact, have autism. This does not mean that what I write here should be taken as law, because I am simply one person bringing my own perspective on how to improve operations in the nuthouse that we call society.

Earlier this week, I was approached with an interesting question: “Should we call this month Autism Awareness or Autism Acceptance?” I kinda just assumed it was just an innocent hypothesis thrown out to spark discussion, but then I did a little digging. As it turns out, this is a surprisingly recurring topic! If you search for the question in Google images, you’ll get several different diagrams of the pros and cons of each, as well as many articles discussing the topic. I have linked them below, and I highly recommend you check out. In the meantime, I’m going to take the three I’ve listed, and quote a specific line from each one. They are as follows:
  • “Awareness is easy. Acceptance requires actual work.” [Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)]
  • “Awareness is trying to cure me. Acceptance is not trying to cure me.” [Barrier-Free Blog]
  • “Awareness does not imply doing anything different. Acceptance is taking action.” [ASK Advocates for Spectrum Knowledge]

There’s a pattern at play. Not only are these three quotes delivered under the same formula, but digging a little deeper into the authors of these pieces reveals that they all share an autism diagnosis. It’s unknown if this is coincidence or clever collaboration, but the point stands in that there is a common message trying to be spread. But that’s not all… look at some of these publication dates: these were all published years apart from each other; with the first article being published way back in 2012!

So… what gives? Why are we still discussing the same question, and how can we finally come to an answer?

Let me introduce to you: “The Attendance” Theory. (I did not grab this from anywhere; I’m completely making this up as I go, but bear with me.)

This is the theory that, for people who don’t belong in a specific minority group, when it’s time to support said group, there’s a larger importance on the presentation of support rather than the actual support. We can show our colors during June, dump as much ice water on our heads as we please, and remember that we have to remember black history during February as we want, but how much of that is going to help if our rights are still going to be held hostage at the end of the day? As much fun as it is to celebrate and write a social media post about the month to feel good, nothing will change unless we firmly state that anything other than acceptance is inexcusable. You can’t stop a bully by looking passively, but rather by stepping in and actively defending the victim.

This brings us back to our very friend we encountered in the beginning of this series, Lamorn. The Metaphor Meadows is a mysterious and perplexing place with many ways to interpret its events, but let’s view our story as a representation of awareness vs. acceptance: Awareness was happening, but it wasn’t what Lamorn wanted. It was only until we gave a mutual exchange of support and love, that they were able to feel happy and be themselves. This event of acceptance only happened once someone, who was in very many ways the same as Lamorn, had to step out of their own comfort to lend support; they showed the same awareness as everyone else did to Lamorn, but added the extra ingredient of accepted-ness to deliver the message.

Okay, let’s step back for a second. April has been a hectic month for many of us, and there was a lot said in this post. I want to take a second to thank everyone for the little ride we’ve journeyed through during this time. Hopefully you learned a little something, and if not, well, I must have been doing something right to keep you hooked this far.

Until next time!

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Madeline M.

Madeline is currently a junior at MICC, working towards her Hospitality certificate. Her creativity is as broad and crazy as her curls-- Creating entertaining stories and unique perspectives which become instantly memorable and cherished. Despite her wits and ways of forming words, she is constantly challenging herself by developing new skills and leaving a third eye open to anything that's piqued her curiosity. Whether you find her writing, drawing, music making, golfing, sailing, gaming, programming, or drinking too much Cherry Pepsi, you'll discover a character that you won't find anywhere else!


MICC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for autistic and neurodivergent young adults. Since its founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to supporting participants in successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC participants achieve sustained, independent living; rewarding employment; financial security; personal growth; and responsible citizenship. We champion all participants, carry their successes into the world, and collaborate with others in service of our vision.
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Careers Spotlight: Dustin

4/25/2023

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Meet Dustin, a proud MICC student who exudes his hard work and dedication. You can hear the pride in his voice when he introduces himself as "MICC student, Dustin" on his voicemail greeting.

In the past few years, Dustin has made incredible progress. He was once "incredibly nervous" during his interview at Davanni's, but he trusted his two-plus years of skill-building at MICC, which ultimately paid off. He negotiated an on-the-spot offer, making it clear that he needed a work-school balance, and has been excelling ever since.
Dustin has become a master at pushing past his concerns and making himself comfortable. At Davanni's, he teaches himself tasks outside of his regular duties and approaches the ever-changing landscape of the restaurant industry with a zen-like attitude.

But Dustin's drive doesn't stop there. His MICC Advisor has been encouraging him to socialize with peers outside of regular MICC activities, and he's been thriving. He even tried his hand at public speaking before MICC's 5K event and then ran an impressive 3.2 miles.

Six months later, Dustin was standing in front of 500 people co-hosting MICC's 2022 gala. Despite being nervous, he couldn't say no to the opportunity. And we're glad he said yes, he did a great job! Dustin also play drums for MICC's Rock Band!


MICC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for autistic and neurodivergent young adults. Since its founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to supporting participants in successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC participants achieve sustained, independent living; rewarding employment; financial security; personal growth; and responsible citizenship. We champion all participants, carry their successes into the world, and collaborate with others in service of our vision.
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7501 LOGAN AVE S.  STE 2A   RICHFIELD, MN 55423 
PHONE (612) 869-4008 | FAX (612) 869-0443 | EIN 41-1814112

Effective, August 1, 2018, Minnesota Life College changed its name to MICC., pronounced ‘em’ ‘eye’ ‘see’ ‘see’.
​MICC stands for Minnesota Independence College and Community.


At MICC, the values of diversity, equity and inclusion are essential elements of our vibrant learning community. It is vital that everyone receives the tools to succeed and thrive regardless of neurodiversity, race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status or any other identity. We are committed to embracing diverse perspectives and creating a supportive environment for all to discuss, challenge, and explore how we can continuously enrich the MICC community.