Independence, Inc. 2023 Impactreport A Year of Reliance and Innovation 701-839-4724 www.independencecil.org Minot, ND + Bottineau, ND
S S A G E F R
Dear Independence Community,
As we reflect on the past year, it's impossible to overlook the significant changes and challenges we've faced together. Transition is never easy, particularly when it involves bidding farewell to valued team members while welcoming fresh faces into our family. However, it's through these changes that we've continued to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to serving our community with passion and dedication.
Despite the hurdles, I am immensely proud to share the numerous achievements and milestones we've reached in the past year. Our collective efforts have touched the lives of hundreds, guiding them towards greater independence and fulfillment. From assisting individuals in securing stable housing to empowering them with employment opportunities, and even facilitating transitions from nursing homes to independent living, each success story is a testament to the resilience and compassion of our team.
Among the highlights of the year stands our community kitchen a symbol of innovation and inclusivity. This space not only serves as a platform for teaching essential cooking skills to those we support but also extends its embrace to other community nonprofits. By fostering collaboration and sharing resources, we amplify our impact, enriching the lives of even more individuals beyond our immediate sphere.
As we look ahead, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to serving with excellence and empathy. Together, we will continue to navigate challenges, embrace change, and uplift those in need, ensuring that our community thrives and flourishes.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and support.
Scott Burlingame Executive Director A M E
O M O U
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T O R
R E X E C U
I V E D I R E C
W H O W H O
W E W E
A R E A R E
STAFF
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.
Scott Burlingame, Executive Director
Jamie Hardt, Program Director
Amber Johnson, Finance Director
Nina Arias, Community Relations Specialist
Nicole Beech, Independent Living Advocate
Lindsey Wittmayer, Independent Living Advocate
MacKenzie Larson, Independent Living Advocate
Katie Schestler, Assistant Program Director
Taylor Zimmerman, Information Specialist
Sierra Scherr, Youth Transition Specialist
Lauren McClurg, Independent Living Specialist
Payton Bland, Independent Living Specialist
2023 BOARD
John Sallee, President
Lacey Krueger, Vice-Chair
Kyle Erickson, Director
Ashley Beall, Member-at-Large
Rianne Kuhn, Director
Drew Hanson, Secretary
Tonia Vitko, Director
Mission Mission
0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 Federal State MoneyFollowsthePerson FreeThroughRecovery/CommunityConnect VocationalRehabilitation Fundraising Donations Misc Federal - $153,893 Federal - $153,893 State - $471,969 State - $471,969 Money Follows the Person - $574,527 Money Follows the Person - $574,527 Free Through Recovery/Community Connect - $138,409 Free Through Recovery/Community Connect - $138,409 Vocational Rehabilitation - $43,356 Vocational Rehabilitation - $43,356 Fundraising - $25,682 Fundraising - $25,682 Donations - $1,923 Donations - $1,923 Misc. - $49,932 Misc. - $49,932 2023 Revenue* TOTAL TOTAL REVENUE: REVENUE: $1,459,691
*UNAUDITED
$1,459,691
CHILI BOWL CHILI BOWL 2023 2023
In 2023 we saw the return of the Chili Bowl. We were excited to bring this fun event back to our community. The Chili Bowl is a restaurant competition to find out who makes the best chili in our service area. Pictured are the crowds of Chili Bowl goers, and Community Relations Specialist Nina Arias manning the Spoon Pull game.
Prairie Sky Breads won People's Choice and Critic's Choice!
OFFEE WITH OFFEE WITH A COP A COP
In March, Independence, Inc. hosted Coffee with a Cop. This event, done in partnership with the Minot Police Department, provided the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to conversate with police officers in an open and comfortable setting on matters from mental health, wellness, and daily routines.
ADVOCATES OF ADVOCATES OF THE YEAR THE YEAR
Our Advocate of the Year for 2023: Twyla Hofer Youth Advocate of the Year for 2023
Terrance (Tee) Johnson Jr.
Our organization offers core services to eleven North Dakota counties including Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McKenzie, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, Rolette, Ward, and Williams.
PROGRAMS SERVICES SERVICES
Consumers By Disability
Independence, Inc., serves people of all disability types. This year we have seen an increase in consumers with physical disabilities requesting services.
WHO WHO WE WE SERVE SERVE Cognitive 46.1% Physical 24.4% Mental/Emotional 22.9% Multiple/Other 6.5% INFORMATION + REFERRAL PEER MENTORING YOUTH TRANSITION INDEPENDENT
NURSING HOME + COMMUNITY TRANSITION INDIVIDUAL + SYSTEMS ADVOCACY C
R
EDUCATION SUPPORT HOUSING HELP TRANSPORTATION TRAINING FINANCIAL LITERACY EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE T R A N S F O R M A T I O N S E R V I C E S
LIVING SKILLS TRAINING
O R E S E
V I C E S
Type PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FREE THROUGH RECOVERY COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Consumers By County
With offices in Minot and Bottineau, it is no surprise that we serve many people in those locations. However, the staff in our offices travel throughout our entire service area, or offer services virtually. Because of this, we serve people in each of the counties we serve.
WARD COUNTY
6507 6507
Throughout the year, our organization served people in a variety of ways. From working directly with people to achieve their independent living goals, to providing information on services and programs available in our community, Independence, Inc. served a total of 9,349 people throughout 2023.
At Independence, Inc., we serve people of all ages. In the past year we served mostly adults aged 25 to 59, and those who are between the ages of 5-19.
Renville 217% McHenry 177% Bottineau 12.6% Mountrail 12.6% Rolette 109% Burke 8% Williams 57% Divide 4.6% Pierce 4% McKenzie 23%
SERVICE AREA 597 422
IN
IN
5-19 41.9% 25-59 317% 60+ 21.1% 20-24 5% 0-5 0.3%
Consumers By Age 598 598
I n f ormation andRefer r a l Direct Service C ommunity Educati o n andOutreach
In March of 2023, Independence, Inc. put a spotlight on a few thriving community members with disabilities to share their perspective on disability awareness and their stories with their disability.
MENTAL MENTAL HEALTH HEALTH MOMENTS MOMENTS
Mental Health Moments is a video series, Independence, Inc. created to promote mental wellness in our community. Each video spotlights a different mental health provider, their specific services, and a bit of advice for anyone starting their mental health journey. Our aim is to destigmatize the idea of mental health disorders and allow people to seek help by providing a few options in their community.
Mental Health Moments Advice is a spin off of our Mental Health Moments series where we highlighted different mental health providers and their services. It uses a portion of advice given by each agency and stitches them together to create a bigger advice video.
Scan here to watch our Mental Health Moments!
DISABILITY DISABILITY
AWARENESS AWARENESS SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
DISABILITY DISABILITY AWARENESS
AWARENESS SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
MAGIC CITY MAGIC CITY
PICKLEBALL PICKLEBALL
TOURNAMENT
This year, Independence, Inc. decided to try it’s hand at sports. We held a fundraising event unlike any other in town, the Magic City Pickleball Tournament. This event was open to all members of the public and was designed to collect funds for our Building Dreams Campaign which would allow us to finish the remodel on our building and build an accessible community kitchen in our office.
MAYORAL MAYORAL PROCLAMATION PROCLAMATION
Earlier last year a group of local disability advocates and our staff had the opportunity to see Mayor Tom Ross read the first ever Disability Pride Month Proclamation for the City of Minot. Through disability pride, people with disabilities gain self-confidence, find their voice, and advocate for their rights, all while promoting a more accepting and accessible world. It is a key factor to building a society in which everyone can fully participate and are given the freedom to flourish.
LUNCH PALS LUNCH PALS FOR FOR STUDENTS STUDENTS WITH WITH DISABILITIES DISABILITIES
In 2023, Independence, Inc. partnered with Companions for Children to offer a new program called Lunch Pals for Students with Disabilities. This program offers peer mentoring to students with disabilities by adults with disabilities. At the beginning of the 2023 school year, there were 8 mentoring matches.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first program of its kind in the country.
TOURNAMENT
BottineauOffice 519MainStreet,Suite4 Bottineau,ND58318|Tel:(701)228-2221 www.independencecil.org lindseyw@independencecil.org MinotOffice 3153rdAve.SW Minot,ND58701|Tel:(701)839-4724 www.independencecil.org info@independencecil.org SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE, INC. FOLLOWUSONSOCIAL Facebook: @IndependenceCIL Instagram: @IndependenceCIL DONATE MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO HELP US ACHIEVE OUR MISSION ATTENDANEVENT JOIN US AT AN UPCOMING INDEPENDENCE, INC. EVENT SPREADTHEWORD TELL OTHERS ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS BEING DONE AT INDEPENDENCE, INC!
