Minnesota Independence College & Community
Since 1996, MICC (Minnesota Independence College & Community) has provided transformative education and training for autistic and neurodivergent adults to live independently, work purposefully and thrive in community. From its home in Richfield, MN, MICC has cultivated a broad network of public and private partnerships to ensure accessibility to its programs and opportunities for its participants across Minnesota and nationwide.
Within an innovative framework of experiential (hands-on) learning and caring guidance, MICC participants accomplish things they never imagined, from daily living tasks (like taking public transportation or managing finances) to building and sustaining a career, support system and lifelong relationships (friendships). Within the safety and freedom of our authentically inclusive community, MICC participants begin to see themselves in a new light, gaining the confidence they need to build the lives they want to live.
- College program, ages 18-30, participants transition into adulthood by living in furnished on-campus apartments, earning career certificates, and connecting with the world through a variety of explorations and retreats.
- Career Confidence Program, ages 18+, a two-day-per-week career and social skills program to learn and visit different employers, practice healthy workplace habits, and build confidence through social and work experiences.
- Connect program, ages 18+, a 10-week program to learn and practice social skills using the UCLA PEERS® curriculum, combined with structured lessons with MICC’s community-based approach—offering guided learning, coaching, and real-world application to help participants gain confidence in social interactions and build lasting connections.
- Summer program, ages 15-30, a weeklong journey filled with possibilities for living independently, working purposefully and thriving in community, now offering day programming and overnight.