Community Building

For over twenty five years, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living (MTSTCIL) has been building communities for people with disabilities in West Virginia. Through its centers in Huntington and Beckley, MTSTCIL works toward the inclusion of people with disabilities in their local communities.

Staff, board members, and consumers at the centers actively participate in numerous community organizations as well as community events and activities. Staff encourage consumers to not only become volunteers at the centers, but to also volunteer at other organizations in order to expand community knowledge of the independent living philosophy. In addition, community volunteers are always welcome at the centers so they may better understand that philosophy.

Stakeholders in Our Communities

Through community building, our communities have become more accessible places for people with disabilities to live, work, and play. While we still have many obstacles to overcome, we are changing our communities by being active participants in them. As stakeholders, we continue to work to improve the quality of life for all members of our communities.

One such stakeholder has generously donated to improve the quality of life in his community:

Brooks Remodeling: building partnerships in the community

Employers as Stakeholders

Through our Supported Employment program many people with disabilities, who would not otherwise been able to work and become tax paying members of the community, are now successfully employed. Learn more about our Supported Employment program. Some of our employers in the Huntington area include O'Charley's, Kroger's and McDonald's. Meet more of our local employers.

Fund Raising

Through fund raising efforts the Foundation for Independent Living strives to not only provide financial assistance to MTSTCIL, but to broaden the knowledge of the centers' mission, vision and independent living philosophy. By staff and consumer participation in the fund raising efforts, everyone becomes an owner in the centers' growth and success.