2024 Impact Report

2024 2024

IMPACT REPORT IMPACT REPORT

REMOVING BARRIERS, ACHIEVING DREAMS

701-839-4724 www.independencecil.org Minot, ND

FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ROTCERID EVITUCEXE EHT FO KSED EHT MORF

To Our Community Partners and the People We Serve, 2024 was a year of transition. Despite significant staff changes and internal challenges, we remained focused on our mission—and we delivered.

We served a record 780 people with disabilities, each trusting us to support their independent living goals. 99 individuals moved out of nursing homes or institutions into homes of their own, while 40 others avoided institutional placement altogether, keeping their independence and dignity intact.

We supported dozens of people facing addiction and behavioral health challenges, helping them find housing, employment, and stability. We also reached hundreds of students in local schools, equipping them with the skills to thrive. Once again, youth in our programs graduated at higher rates than their non-disabled peers.

Through all the change, one thing stayed constant: the unwavering support from those we serve. They reminded us that the true spirit of Independence, Inc. lives in their strength, courage, and resilience. We are incredibly grateful for that trust.

We also thank our funding partners. Independent living is not only life-changing, it’s cost-effective. The services we provide save North Dakota taxpayers millions each year and help build healthier, more vibrant communities.

Independent living is a wise investment in our future—and it’s one that continues to pay off.

Scott Burlingame Executive Director

Independence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to empowering individuals with disabilities, seniors, and people with behavioral health disorders to live independently.

We are a non-residential, community-based, consumer-controlled agency that provides a variety of enrichment services designed to help North Dakotans with disabilities escape dependency, emerge from poverty, maximize self-sufficiency, and actively participate in community life.

OU O UR R T TE EA AM M Scot t Burl i ngame, Exec ut i ve Di r ect or J ami e Hardt , Program Di r ec t or Amber J ohnson, Fi nanc e Di rec t or Kat i e Schest l er, Assi s t ant Program Di rect or Tonya Parker, Di rect or of Communi t y Rel at i ons Ni col e Beech, I ndependent Li vi ng Advoc at e Lenni Traversi e, Peer Suppor t Spec i al i st Ti a Gof ort h, I ndependent Li vi ng Spec i al i st Kayl a Bauer, I ndependent Li vi ng Advoc at e Moni que Gut i errez, I ndependent Li vi ng Advocat e Tayl or Zi mmerman, I nf or mat i on Spec i al i st Si erra Scherr, Yout h Transi t i on Speci al i s t Chri s El l i s, I ndependent Li vi ng Advocat e Al exi s Wasl awski , I ndependent Li vi ng Advocat e Al l i sen Hal l , I ndependent Li vi ng Speci al i s t Ki rst i ne Baker, I ndependent Li vi ng Advoc at e

OUR BOARD OUR BOARD John Sallee, President Lacey Krueger, Vice-Chair Kyle Erickson, Board Member Ashley Beall, Member-at-Large Rianne Kuhn, Secretary/Treasurer Krista Opstedal, Board Member Tonia Vitko, Board Member

OUR MISSION OUR MISSION

800,000

600,000

400,000

200,000

M is c.

D on at io ns

Fu nd ra is in g

s Re th co e Pe ve rs ry on /C om m un it y Co Vo nn ca ec ti t on al Re ha bi lit at io n

Fr ee

Th ro ug h

M on ey

Fo llo w

St at e

Fe de ra l

0

2024 Revenue* Federal - $162,254 State - $346,148 Money Follows the Person - $886,868 Free Through Recovery/Community Connect - $124,542 Vocational Rehabilitation - $41,424 Fundraising - $32,224 Donations - $8,565 Misc. - $68,393

TOTAL REVENUE: $1,670,418 *UNAUDITED

EV E VE EN NT TS S M MA AK KE E A AN N II M MP PA AC CT T

COFFEE WITH COFFEE WITH A A COP COP

SCHOOL SCHOOL DISABILITY AWARENESS DISABILITY AWARENESS

LEXILOU POTTING LEXILOU POTTING CLASS CLASS

At Independence, Inc., we are dedicated to fostering inclusion, awareness, and empowerment through a variety of impactful events. From handson learning experiences like our Potting Plants Class with Lexilou to community-building opportunities such as Coffee with a Cop, we strive to create meaningful connections. We continued our commitment to Disability Awareness in schools, helping young students develop empathy and understanding. These events reflect our mission—to uplift, educate, and create a more inclusive community for all.

EM E MP PO OW WE ER R Y YO OU UT TH H P PR RO OG GR RA AM M

This year, This year, Independence Independence Inc. Inc. partnered partnered with with ASTEP ASTEP (After (After School Teen School Teen Empowerment Empowerment Program) Program) to to launch launch the the Minot Minot Youth Empower Youth Empower Group—an Group—an inclusive inclusive social social group group designed designed to to support teens support teens with with disabilities disabilities in in building building confidence, confidence, independence, and independence, and meaningful meaningful connections. connections.

Our events Our events focus focus on on creating creating welcoming welcoming environments environments where where youth of youth of all all abilities abilities can can engage, engage, learn, learn, and and grow grow together. together. A A highlight of highlight of the the year year was was our our Dip Dip & & Board Board Game Game Night, Night, which which brought together brought together teens teens with with and and without without disabilities disabilities for for a a fun fun evening of evening of games, games, snacks, snacks, and and shared shared laughter. laughter.

Through this Through this partnership, partnership, we’re we’re proud proud to to offer offer a a safe safe space space that fosters that fosters social social development, development, promotes promotes inclusivity, inclusivity, and and empowers the empowers the next next generation. generation.

20 2 02 24 4 A AD DV VO OC CA AT TE ES S O OF F T TH HE E Y YE EA AR R! !

Elizabeth Romanick is a passionate advocate for disability rights, using her voice at the ND legislature, national conferences, and local leadership programs.

Her Impact: Her Impact: Testified for disability rights & speaks nationally Two-time Miss Amazing winner Elizabeth Romanick Elizabeth Romanick

Youth Advocate Youth Advocate of the of the Year Year

Leading a youth leadership group in Minot Works as an Ability Expert at NDCPD

Sergeant Jared Foley has transformed law enforcement’s role in supporting individuals with disabilities.

His Impact: His Impact: Trains Minot PD officers in disability awareness Jared Foley Jared Foley

Advocate Advocate of the of the Year Year

Key member of the Crisis Intervention Team Partnered with Independence, Inc. to improve community safety Presented to the ND Statewide Independent Living Council

TH T HE E J JO OU UR RN NE EY Y T TO O II N ND DE EP PE EN ND DE EN NC CE E

In 2023, Rod Short faced mobility challenges in his home. Climbing the stairs was painful and exhausting, making the second floor nearly inaccessible.

With help from Independence, Inc., an accessible stair lift was installed, giving Rod the freedom to stay in his home.

ROD ROD

“It’s a big deal - otherwise, I was going to have to move.” Now he enjoys his upstairs space daily and encourages others to seek help when needed.

Before coming to Independence, Inc., Maria felt overwhelmed and stressed. She left an unsafe situation and was struggling to find a home for her family.

MARIA MARIA

With the help of Independence, Inc., she applied for the Open Doors program and received housing and essential items through the Transition and Diversion Services Pilot Project.

Now, Maria describes her life as hopeful, peaceful, and heavenly. She encourages others to “make the call” and seek help.

Our organization offers core services to eleven North Dakota counties including Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McKenzie, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, Rolette, Ward, and Williams.

WHO WE SERVE

SERVICES SERVICES CORE SERVICES CORE SERVICES

NURSING HOME + COMMUNITY TRANSITION

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING

INDIVIDUAL + SYSTEMS ADVOCACY

PEER MENTORING

YOUTH TRANSITION

INFORMATION + REFERRAL

TRANSFORMATION SERVICES TRANSFORMATION SERVICES

TRANSPORTATION TRAINING

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

HOUSING HELP

FINANCIAL LITERACY

EDUCATION SUPPORT

PROGRAMS PROGRAMS FREE THROUGH RECOVERY

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Bottineau 3.3%

Consumers By County With our main office in Minot, it is no surprise that many of the people we serve are from Ward County. However, our staff regularly travel throughout our entire service area and offer virtual services, allowing us to reach individuals in every county we serve.

McHenry 2.8% Mountrail 3.3% Renville 3.8% Rolette 2.6%

Ward 74%

780

577

IN SERVICE AREA

IN WARD COUNTY

Throughout 2024, Independence, Inc. served 9,295 - through one-onone support for independent living goals and by connection individuals to community programs and resources.

C o n s u m e r s B y A g e Under 5 At Independence, Inc., we serve people of all ages.

Over the past year, the majority of those we served were adults between ages 25 to 59, followed closely by individuals over age 60.

5-19

20-24

25-59

60+ 0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Multiple Disabilities

Consumers By Disability Independence, Inc. serves individuals with all types of disabilities, and this year we’ve seen an increase in service requests from people with physical disabilities.

12.3% Hearing 1% Cognitive 37.6%

Plysical 22.6%

Mental/Emotional 26.3%

Throughout 2024, Independence, Inc. served 6,814 people through a variety of services from helping individuals achieve their independent living goals to providing information on local programs and resources.

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Minot Office 315 3rd Ave. SW Minot, ND 58701 | Tel: (701) 839-4724 www.independencecil.org info@independencecil.org