Our Mission

Independence Center introduces Martha’s Flowers to brighten the lives of its members who have a serious and persistent mental illness.  The Center provides psychiatric rehabilitation, employment, housing and other vital supports to enable its members to live in the community, independently and with dignity.  

Our Purpose

Martha’s Flowers was established in 2007 to help reduce the stigma members feel upon entering the hospital for psychiatric treatment.   Martha’s Flowers also provides beautiful floral arrangements and plants for a variety of occasions, including free bouquets and plants to members when they move into a new home, or celebrate a new job.  Recognizing these major milestones are, after all, what life’s all about! 

How we began

Martha’s Flowers was made possible by the generosity of the Kieffer/Strickler family who made the gift in memory of their mother, Martha, who persevered with mental illness most of her adult life. Dr. Peter Kieffer, past board president, says he was particularly interested in the unprecedented concept of incorporating a flowers shop into the clubhouse program as a way to provide a new kind of work and the joy of fresh flowers for our members.  He remembers his mother having a special connection with gardening and floral arrangements.   Members tell us that they really enjoy their time in the shop and feel that they are gaining valuable experience in plant care, floral design and customer service.   Some of our members are even considering  a  job  in the  floral  industry!   Martha’s Flowers enables us to continue to beautify the Center and to enrich the lives of its members.

How you can help

The proceeds from the flowers purchased by members, staff and friends of Independence Center go towards helping us offset the cost of floral supplies.   Any profits from our sales enables us to continue to provide free plants and bouquets to members who are in the hospital, or celebrate  members who get a new job or apartment.   Your purchase of plants or flowers supports our program and advances the skills of our members.  If interested in knowing more about how you can help, call us!