Joe Rogers will be supporting PILC’s future growth as Development Director.
Joe Rogers will be supporting PILC’s future growth as Development Director.
Panhandle Independent Living Center begins the new year with an exciting project designed to expand the services and assistance we offer to people with disabilities.
On January 25, the Center kicks off a new development project funded by the American Recovery and Rehabilitation Act (ARRA). Independent Living Centers throughout the nation are starting various other ARRA projects that address specific needs within their communities. Similarly, PILC’s Board of Directors adopted a development project that will enable the Center to respond to new opportunities over the next five years.
So just what is “development?” Simply stated, it will expand resources; the dollars we need to add new programs to improve independent living services. A portion of these funds can be used to raise money in the community that can be used to assist people with disabilities who encounter unexpected or urgent financial needs. This month alone, the Center spent more than $800 from last year’s benefit to assist people facing desperate situations. Thanks to generous contributions, these needs were met.
Other goals for the development project include pursuing additional consumer services. Already, we’re looking at a proposal to establish outreach to disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Another proposal to acquire an accessible van is being developed. Before the ARRA funds came along, such efforts to expand services were difficult because of limited staff and time to prepare and submit proposals to foundations and other funding agencies.
We are pleased that PILC’s Joe Rogers has accepted the position of Development Director and the many new responsibilities. Joe originally joined the staff in 2008 as coordinator for the Center’s Travel Training project. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has already received formal training in non-profit fund development. Joe is also excited about improving the Center’s visibility through web-based information and networking with other disability internet links. He is truly our “geek.”
Along with this development project, we are fortunate to have a dedicated, enthusiastic Board of Directors to help guide new projects, and a qualified team of staff members to carry them out.
The key is part of PILC’s history dating back to 1953 when advocacy and independent living philosophies actually began in Amarillo. The Indoor Sports Club was led by a handful of people including charter members Jeannie McDonald and Maurine Seale who pioneered improvements to the quality of life for people with disabilities. Then in 1979, the Amarillo Disabled Individuals in Action was formed with Marshall Mitchell as president. I was privileged to serve as an ADIA board member in 1984 along with Dwain McMahan and Sharon Wilson who is still with our present Board of Directors. The ADIA was an aggressive group that advocated for handicap parking and ramps, elimination of architectural barriers, and the development of jobs, housing and transportation.
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the key. Hang in there, it’s coming.
The goals of the ADIA continued when, in 1988, it founded Amarillo’s first independent living center, Panhandle Action Center for Independent Living Skills or “PACILS.” With funding from the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, PACILS adopted the core services of Peer Counseling, Advocacy, Information and Referral and Independent Living Skills training. The service area covered the sprawling 26-county Panhandle region. In 1998, the Board of Directors changed the Center’s name to Panhandle Independent Living Center, about the same time this agency moved to its present location at 1118 South Taylor.
Okay, now about the key – and I didn’t make this up!
A half-century ago, folks who started the old Indoor Sports Club organized themselves to “open doors” for people with disabilities. When the ADIA came along, they adopted the slogan “Opening Doors to Disabilities” which was symbolized by a key. In 1988, the old brass key that still hangs in PILC’s activity room was presented to the ADIA and the fledgling PACILS by Amarillo Mayor ( ) as an official gift to the disability community. The ADIA’s slogan was then changed to our present slogan, “Your Key to Independence.”
Today, PILC is honored to host monthly meetings of the ADIA which continues its mission of advocacy and dedication to forging better lives for people with disabilities. The key is still a reminder of the many people who began this good work 55 years ago. And now, about those old bats…
