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."

PILC Youth Soar Into A Fascinating Summer Program

Youth Encountering Success students got acquainted with the aviation industry at the Coyote Flight Center.

Enthusiastic youth and exciting activities made this the best year ever for PILC’s Youth Encountering Success summer program.

This year’s ten-week extravaganza featured great participation and support from students, volunteers, staff and area school districts. The program was equally fortunate to receive $500 grants from the Amarillo East Rotary Club and Wal-Mart on Grand which enabled 20 youth to participate at no cost. Beginning June 2, students in junior and senior high school from Amarillo, Hereford, Panhandle, Friona and Farwell attended activities twice weekly.

Young imaginations were expanded in the cockpit of an Alarus trainer.

Highlighting a busy schedule of events was the field trip to Amarillo’s Coyote Flight Center. Students toured the hangar which included a very rare Beechcraft Bonanza, a Cherokee Challenger and older planes that were used in World War II. During the tour, students learned about the airport’s Doppler weather radar and the control tower that monitors aircraft.

Students were especially surprised when given a chance to sit in the cockpit of a two-seater training plane. Sitting behind the controls, they took turns watching the rudder move as they turned the yolk (steering wheel) and worked the flaps.

Because the YES program tries to expand vocational ideas, students were told about the various jobs at the flight center. Volunteer opportunities are also important at the Civil Air Patrol which provides search and rescue missions for missing people. The tour offered valuable information about vocations in the air and on the ground and how they could have a future in the aviation industry.

This memorable trip to the Coyote Flight Center expanded imaginations and self-esteem among students who will soon be taking off for new destinations after they graduate from high school.