Lake County Center for Independent Living to celebrate 25 years
Lake County Center for Independent Living is a 501c3 disability rights and service organization that was founded in 1990. LCCIL is governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities who are culturally, economically and socially diverse, and serves all people with any disability, of any age, who reside in Lake and McHenry counties in Illinois.
LCCIL will be celebrating 25 years of service to people with disabilities, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on April 25, 2015, and is looking for individuals and organizations who would like to donate something for their raffle and live and silent auctions, or to sponsor their gala. Donation and sponsorship forms are available at www.lccil.org/node/13.
LCCIL's mission is to empower people with disabilities to lead self-directed lives as valued members of the community.
Many of those with disabilities live in poverty as a result of environmental and attitudinal barriers, preventing them from achieving self-sufficiency. LCCIL helps overcome these barriers through the following services:
• Independent Living Skills Training: This includes managing one's own affairs, completing day-to-day tasks and participating in community life.
• Peer Mentoring: LCCIL differs from a traditional service agency in that they are directed, managed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities, offering a unique opportunity for consumers to learn from those who have an intimate understanding of the issues and barriers faced.
• Information and Referral: LCCIL functions as a clearing house of information related to disability, for community services, benefits and the laws and the rights of individuals with disabilities.
• Advocacy: In addition to direct service, LCCIL works to advance the lives of people with disabilities through education and advocacy.
Approximately 80 percent of the organization's funding is through government grants. The gala raises much-needed funding to sustain services. LCCIL believes that assisting people with disabilities to be self-sufficient and live where they choose, with access to housing, health care, transportation and employment and fully participating in the community, benefits everyone.
For information, visit www.lccil.org.