Our mission is to connect UW international students with local residents to foster
cultural exchange, global goodwill, and friendships around the world.
Our mission is to connect UW international students with local residents to foster
cultural exchange, global goodwill, and friendships around the world.
Thank you for your interest in the MFIS Furniture program.
The MFIS Furniture program is not a used furniture store, but only a volunteer run organization with a garage where we store furniture. We do NOT have regular hours of operation outside of our Open House dates. We do not have an inventory list, no pictures of the furniture, nor do we take reservations for furniture. To contact a volunteer see below.
Two Open Houses in 2022
Saturday Aug 13, 9-11 AM
Saturday Aug 27, 9-11 AM
There may be long waits or not enough furniture. Volunteers do the best they can to serve international students on a first come, first served basis.
Handling charges depend on how heavy and difficult the furniture is to handle, not on value or price.
Small items, like kitchen tools, dishes, hangers, bedding items are free in small quantities to anybody who is paying a handling charge for other items and has filled in the Furniture Loan Agreement.
The handling charges are not refundable; we accept cash or check only. The student may keep the furniture as long as enrolled at the UW or Madison colleges. Upon leaving Madison please return the furniture and/or contact a volunteer. No charge when returning furniture.
Types of items that may normally be available:
Beds – single box spring or mattress: $10 each, double $15
Iron bedframe: $5, wooden or with headboard: $20
Complete single $20, with wood frame $30, Full/double: $30, Queen: $40
Sleeper sofa, Convert-a-bed, Futon: $40
Couch/Sofa: $30, small couch/loveseat: $20
Chair: $5, office chair on wheels: $10
Table: $10-30
Cupboard/shelf: $5-20
Chest of drawers: $10-30
Anything with an electric cord: $1+
Lamp: $5, Floor lamp: $10
Microwave, vacuum cleaner: $10
Iron, coffee maker, hot plate, etc: $3
How does it work?
Come to an open house. If none is scheduled ask for an appointment with a furniture volunteer via email: furniture@mfismadison.org, giving your Madison address, when you can come to the garage, and phone number.
*If you get no response no volunteer is available.*
Choose the furniture from what is available at the garage, pay the handling charge, and take the furniture to your house immediately. But if you cannot transport the furniture yourself, we will try to provide this yet on the same day.
Directions to the MFIS garage, where furniture is stored:
Note again: This is not a store and staffed only by appointment or scheduled Open House.
5501 University Avenue in a garage behind the Dale Heights Presbyterian Church in Madison. From University Ave walk or drive west on Norman Way for about 100m/300 feet just past the church. Go up the driveway by the 5501 mailbox.
By bus weekdays: #70, 71, 72, 78 to Norman Way stop
By bus weekends & holidays: #8 Norman Way&Univ Ave stop – only one bus per hour.
This class is perfect for parents who have children 3 years old and younger. Children remain in the same room as you during class, playing happily as you improve your English conversational skills. Topics include American culture, cultural contrasts, using children’s literature and nursery rhymes to parent, and current articles about parenting. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced students are all welcome to attend this class.
Class: Parent/Child
Teachers: Barbara Eggleston with assistants Noelle Van Straten, Joanne Lenberg, and Brenda Lempp
Mode: In-Person
Fee: $100
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Starting date: September 8, 2022
Ending date: December 15, 2022
The goals of this advanced class are lively conversation with a focus on fluency and using everyday expressions in a friendly and relaxed setting. We cover topics of interest to students through a variety of readings and activities, integrating grammar and pronunciation throughout the course. This class is appropriate for those who are almost fluent in English.
Class: Conversation III
Teacher: Annie Guss
Mode: Virtual
Fee: none
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Starting date: September 5, 2022
Ending date: December 14, 2022
Improve speaking, listening and pronunciation skills. Topics of interest will include issues of day-to-day living and broader aspects of life in the USA. There will be personal presentations by class members as well as the reading and discussion of short articles. This class is appropriate for students who have studied English before but are still not confident in their conversational skills.
Class: Conversation II
Teacher: Diane Boddicker
Mode: Virtual
Fee: none
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Starting date: October 5, 2022
Ending date: December 14, 2022
Get started with English vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. This class will familiarize you with American culture and customs. Emphasis will be on everyday English and pronunciation. Class activities will be based on student input. This class is appropriate for students with little or no English.
Class: Conversation I
Teachers: Polly Kuelbs and Marilyn Fayram
Mode: In-person
Fee: $100
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Starting date: September 5, 2022
Ending date: December 15, 2022
Class: Parent/Child
Teachers: Barbara Eggleston with assistants Noelle Van Straten, Joanne Lenberg, and Brenda Lempp
Mode: In-Person
Fee: $100
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Starting date: September 8, 2022
Ending date: December 15, 2022
Class: Pronunciation
Teacher: Nancy Bogue
Mode: In-Person
Fee: $100
Day: Mondays
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Starting date: September 5, 2022
Ending date: December 14, 2022
Class: Conversation III
Teacher: Annie Guss
Mode: Virtual
Fee: none
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Starting date: September 5, 2022
Ending date: December 14, 2022
Class: Conversation II
Teacher: Diane Boddicker
Mode: Virtual
Fee: none
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Starting date: October 5, 2022
Ending date: December 14, 2022
Class: Conversation I
Teachers: Polly Kuelbs and Marilyn Fayram
Mode: In-person
Fee: $100
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Starting date: September 5, 2022
Ending date: December 15, 2022
| Class | Instructors | Virtual | In-Person | Fee | Day(s) | Time | Starting Date | Ending Date |
| Conversation I | Polly Kuelbs and Marilyn Fayram |
X | $100.00 | Tuesdays and Thursdays | 9:00am – 11:00am | September 5 | December 15 | |
| Conversation II | Diane Boddicker | X | none | Wednesdays | 7:00pm – 8:00pm | October 5 | December 14 | |
| Conversation III | Annie Guss | X | none | Wednesdays | 11:00am – 12:00pm | September 5 | December14 | |
| Pronunciation | Nancy Bogue | X | $100.00 | Mondays | 6:30pm – 7:30pm | September 5 | December 14 | |
| Parent/Child | Barbara Eggleston (and some assistants) | X | $100.00 | Tuesdays and Thursdays | 9:00am – 11:00am | September 8 | December 15 |
Hello, UW International Students
My name is Maria Czajka Hanson, and I am the President of MFIS. Our organization, which is over 65 years old, has always championed the rights of all individuals to live, learn and prosper in an environment of tolerance and freedom. Our mission is to foster, “cultural exchange, global goodwill and friendships around the world.” We have honored that mission in the work we do every day to support the students, scholars, and their families as they come to the University of Wisconsin to further their dreams.
As the events in Ukraine escalate every day, we see horrific images of innocent children, young men and women, and the backbone of the Ukrainian people suffer at the hands of tyranny and oppression. As an organization we denounce the atrocities perpetrated on a democratic Ukraine.
I am an American-Ukrainian immigrant who came as a refugee to this country in 1949 when we fled from the devastating cruelty of the Russian regime. I must note, there is a big difference between the innocent Russian people who have suffered at the hands of Putin, in contrast to the Russian dictatorship that has begun this needless war on the innocent. There are NO sides in the fight for freedom. Let us honor all who stand together in peace.
On behalf of MFIS, we welcome all our international brothers and sisters to Madison. Please know we are here to support you and your families.
Maria Hanson
MFIS President
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