Special Message

Panhandle ILC is your "Key to Independence" a symbol of the assistance and encouragement we offer to people with disabilities. More than 40 years ago in California, a group of people living in nursing homes simply because they were disabled, refused to give up their rights. Working together, they formed the first Independent Living Center, left the nursing homes, and began advocating for themselves.

This spirit continues in Centers all across America and in Amarillo where we help fill in the gaps left by other agencies. We encourage people to become their own advocates, take risks, accept responsibility, and gain control over their own lives. It's about participating as full and equal members of the community.

The philosophy behind Independent Living is that: "Everyone, regardless of disability, should have equal access to the rights and responsibilities that each citizen has to be as active and productive a member of society as he chooses to be."

ConocoPhillips Ensures 2010 YES Summer Program

PILC Board member Ray Aplin accepted the $1,000 gift from Hector Bernal of ConocoPhillips. Also present were, from left, Milt Hoefling of ConocoPhillips, YES student Blake Elliot, Randy Campbell of ConocoPhillips, YES Coordinator Cynthia Pacheco, and PILC Receptionist Sylvia Bernal.

ConocoPhillips Exploration and Production Panhandle Operations has awarded a $1,000 grant to Panhandle Independent Living Center’s summer youth program.

The gift supports deserving youth with disabilities who attend the ten-week Youth Encountering Success program. Students from middle to high school age learn about future opportunities and positive options after graduation. YES students receive vocational and educational guidance beneficial to their transition from high school.

The YES project engages young people in enjoyable activities which is why the ConocoPhillips gift is so important. The grant provides for “the little things” such as social and recreational activities, fees for educational field trips, and supplies that students could not otherwise afford. The gift also ensures that students from limited income families within the 26-county Panhandle region can participate at no cost.

The gift was one of five donations the Dumas Field Office made to charitable organizations in Dumas, Pampa and Amarillo. ConocoPhillips was introduced to PILC by Center receptionist Sylvia Bernal. Along with her husband Hector, the donation was presented by Milt Hoefling and Randy Campbell of ConocoPhillips.

Mr. Hoefling, who led the philanthropic committee decisions, said “We felt that PILC’s youth mission is a very worthwhile program that assists students with disabilities from a number of communities in the Panhandle.” He added that ConocoPhillips is able to make charitable gifts based on recommendations from employees and their families.

The YES program is directed by Youth Transition Coordinator Cynthia Pacheco. The gift will enable up to 24 students to participate in the summer of 2010. More than 150 youth have participated in the educational program since 2003.