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Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS) is a
satellite office of the Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC). WILC is a
not-for-profit, community-based advocacy and resource center that serves people
of all ages with all types of disabilities. It is part of a national network of
centers that provide a wide spectrum of non-residential and non-medical
services. These services are designed by, directed by, and in most cases,
delivered by qualified disabled individuals. The scope of the services is
directed by individual and community needs.
WILC's/PILS's mission is two-pronged: 1) to
assist individuals with disabilities become as independent as they can be and
2) to work within the community to provide Education, Disability Awareness, and
Advocacy for the Removal of Barriers.
PILS is
located in Carmel, NY - Putnam
County's County Seat. It not only provides services to Putnam County, but it
also facilitates WILC is servicing the northern part of WILC's catchment area,
i.e., Putnam County, northern Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, and Sullivan
Counties. WILC's main office is
located in White Plains,
NY - Westchester County's County Seat. |
What PILS can do
for YOU
- Provide information on and referral to
services available for individuals with varying disabilities and/or their
families
- Provide help in understanding and accessing
resources, such as Social Security Disability (SSD), Supplemental Security
Income (SSI), Social Security Work Incentive Program, Medicare, Medicaid,
public assistance, food stamps, emergency food sources, etc.
- Offer emotional support and practical advice
on issues, such as education and vocational opportunities, housing, recreation,
adaptive equipment, etc.
- Provide presentations to schools,
businesses, and/or civic groups on disability related issues
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WILC Opens
Outreach Office
The Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC)
is proud to announce that it has opened an Outreach Office at Pathways to
Success – a dynamic intergeneration public school in the heart of downtown
Yonkers.
One of the original ILCs in NYS, WILC has been
providing services to people of all ages with all types of disabilities for 29
years. Prominent among WILC's services are its Minority Outreach, Partners for
Success, and Educational Advocacy Programs. These 3 Programs are combining
their efforts at this new office to outreach to a largely immigrant population
facing cultural and language barriers and who are from economically
disadvantaged households and considered to be at significant risk.
Bi-lingual and ethnically diverse WILC staff
members are providing information and supports that will assist individuals
with disabilities to better understand themselves and define and pursue a
desired future, i.e., work, education, housing, etc. They are also assisting
parents of children with special needs to make informed decisions about
educational rights, choices, responsibilities, and long-term outcomes;
providing effective linkages to disability services, supportive employment
services, health care, mental health treatment, and others; and providing
support for adults/seniors, which focuses on their issues assimilating into the
culture. All services are being provided in a culturally appropriate manner. A
special focus is being place on assisting and supporting youthful offenders and
high-risk youth with disabilities who are at continuing risk of gang
involvement.
For more information on these or other WILC
Programs, call (914) 682-3926. |
Upcoming Workshops
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THAT'S
LIFE! Session 1
High School to Post High School Transition Planning
for Students with Disabilities
Date: April 8, 2010
Time:
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Westchester Independent Living Center
Presenters:CHRISTINA EISENBERG,
JOY DRUMMOND, LMSW, MAT,
BETTY LYNN
GANNON, BSW
Life - Session 1 brochure
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Education Rights and
Responsibilities
An Extensive In-Depth Training
for Parents of
Children with Special Needs
(Ages: Birth to 21 years old)
DATES/TIMES
Tuesday/Thursday
April 13,15,20,22,27,29
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
each day
View Ed Rights & Responsibilities Brochure
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THAT'S
LIFE! Session 2
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES - NOBODY'S GONNA STOP ME
NOW!
Date: April 22, 2010
Time 6:30 p.m. - 9:00
p.m.
Where: Westchester Independent Living Center
Presenters: CHRISTINA
EISENBERG
JOE BRAVO,
DIANA BURR
Life - session 2 Brochure |
Photos
from the Open House!
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Senator Vincent L.
Leibell, III with WILC's Executive Director, Joe Bravo, cut the ribbon to
officially open Putnam Independent Living Services' new Conference Center
Facility.
Senator Vincent L. Leibell, III accepts the "Exemplary
Service to People with Disabilities Award" from Joe Bravo.
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef shows off her "Friend of
Independent Living Award" along with Senator Vincent L. Leibell, III. Also in
picture: Donald Smith, Putnam County Sheriff; Joe Bravo; and John Tully, Putnam
County Deputy County Executive.
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Be Prepared
Personal Preparedness Info
This is the season for some remarkably
bad weather - major thunderstorms, floods, even tornados threaten our area -
and disaster preparedness is on our minds. No matter what the form of the
disaster, no matter where we live, preparation is very important. And, the
responsibility for preparedness rests on you. Planning in advance for an
emergency will help you to take care of yourself and your loved ones. The
following are suggestions and links to sites that are designed to assist you
with your personal preparedness.
For a Checklist of Things to Have, to Know, and To Do,
click here.
For Detailed Suggestions on Emergency Supply Kits, Family
Communication Plan, Organizing Important Paperwork, Support Network, and
Service Animals and Pets, click here.
For websites with information on/recommendations for
emergency planning, click here. |
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