Information about
Connections for Independent Living
MISSION STATEMENT:
To promote the full inclusion and integration of people
with disabilities into all levels of society. Connections for Independent Living works to promote independence and equality for people with disabilities.
Brief history of organization:
Connections began as a grass roots organization of people with disabilities who needed independent living services in the community. We have maintained that consumer control so that we continue to offer the services and programs that meet the needs of the disability community. In fact, the majority of our board of directors and decision making staff are people with significant disabilities. Our programs now include self-sufficiency, advocacy, employment, housing, emergency assistance, peer support and skills training. We have been providing emergency assistance with rent, mortgage and utilities for the past ten years.
How many total clients are served annually:
720
What are the demographics of the population
that is being served:
As a certified independent living center, we must serve people with any type of disability, of any age. The majority of our consumers are ages 25-60. However, last year we served 199 individuals who were over age 60. We serve slightly more females than males. Approximately 24% of our consumers are Hispanic or Latino. We serve many people who have multiple disabilities (35% of our consumers); 25% of our consumers have physical disabilities. The remainder have cognitive, mental, emotional, hearing or vision disabilities.
Current major initiatives:
We work hard to keep people with significant disabilities from being homeless or placed in a nursing home. We are putting many of our resources into self-sufficiency and employment efforts for people with disabilities.
What is the greatest challenge you foresee for your organization in the next year:
Over 90% of our consumers are people in the extreme low income category.
In these difficult financial times, more people with disabilities have lost their jobs and are unable to find employment. More of our families are in financial crisis – facing eviction, homelessness and nursing home placement. It is an extremely difficult time to try to move towards independence and self-sufficiency.
How are Empty Stocking funds expended to
benefit your clients:
The Empty Stocking funds that we have received have made a true positive impact for our consumers. We utilize the funds primarily for emergency rent and utilities assistance. Additionally, we have replaced eyeglasses that a consumer needed for her employment. We provided some emergency dental work. We provided a wheelchair repair for someone newly released from prison who needed the chair in his job seeking efforts. We have assisted 142 households since 2007.
What is the true, lasting impact of the Empty
Stocking Fund on your organization/clients:
The funds have helped to end or prevent homelessness for people with disabilities here in Northern Colorado. Funding has allowed our consumers to maintain their employment or continue in their efforts to become employed. These funds have also been a safety net. For example, for the parent who had to take some time off work to attend his mother’s funeral. The expenses and lost income involved with this would have resulted in eviction and utility shut-off were it not for assistance from the Fund. Other emergencies like hospitalization of a wage earner would also have had devastating results, were it not for assistance from the Fund. The Empty Stocking Fund has lead people to Connections who might otherwise not have not known about our independent living programs and services. Many have gone on to develop an independent living plan and receive the case management and peer support that they need in order to increase their self-sufficiency and independence.