The nonprofit Eisenhower Center (4425 W. Woolworth Ave.) was founded in the early 1950s as a cerebral palsy training program (named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, who passionately believed in the cause) and then expanded in the early 1980s to include rehabilitation services to people with a wide range of severe developmental disabilities. Eligible persons apply to be part of the organization and get hired to work up to 30 paid hours a week to fulfill sub-contract jobs for local businesses, with tasks including packaging, assembly, mail order, sorting, product rework services and unique contracts. About 100 clients local to the Greater Milwaukee area currently work onsite at the 66,000-square-foot facility, many with limited mobility or other severe physical disabilities that require assistance with basic daily living tasks. The Eisenhower Center helps provide hope, dignity and independence to all clients through meaningful work and relationships.
“Clients at the Eisenhower Center have a safe, welcoming place to be, a meaningful job to do and they earn a paycheck like everyone else,” says Development Director David Ordan. “Our wonderful, trained staff interacts with and assists clients on a daily basis and volunteers are the spice and cherry on top that bring a lot of life to what we do. They develop strong bonds because they want to be here.”
Recently the Eisenhower Center started its own in-house dog treat business called Ike Bites and is seeking donations of industrial-sized kitchen equipment, specifically commercial-size mixers and ovens, to keep up with the demand. Additionally, the purchase of Ike Bites online (ikebitesdogtreats.com) or at the Center helps support a healthy, locally made product for dogs and creates many jobs for people with disabilities. The Center is also seeking donations of two Sara Lifts (sit-to-stand lifts) to help clients with mobility. Volunteers and monetary donations are always welcome. For more information, call 414-353-8480, email info@eisenhowercenter.org or visit eisenhowercenter.org.
