To hear the success stories of the Southwest Center for Independent Living, it’s difficult not to tear up and to be proud at the same time.
For more than 25 years, the non-profit has assisted people with all types of disabilities to remain independent in the community and in their own home.
Take Stephanie’s story. She is now 21.
“I started the Your Life program when I was in the eighth grade,” she said. “SCIL has helped me become more independent, and I now live in my own place. SCIL has helped me make new friends, too.”
Or listen to Sarah, 19.
“I have muscular dystrophy, but I don’t let it stop me and I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” Sarah said. “I am a fighter, and I want other people with disabilities to be empowered.”
All of which are reasons the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper is proud to partner with Southwest Center for Independent Living. The golf tournament, one of the PGA’s Web.com Tour stops, has generated almost $12 million for local children’s charities in its 25-year history – including a record $1 million-plus last year.
Now here’s your chance to assist Stephanie, Sarah and the many others who are aided by SCIL.
SUPPORTING THE PCCC = SUPPORTING CHARITIES
- HELP SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING: To contribute to SCIL either through the tournament or in any other way, call 417-886-1188 or email scil@swcil.org.
- FOR GOLF FANS, WIN PRIZES: The purchase of a $25 TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes ticket serves as a four-day tournament pass, but that’s just a start. You’re also entered to win daily prizes during the tournament as well as grand prizes of $10,000 and a 2015 Ford Mustang.
- TICKET REVENUE GOES WHERE: Contact the local charity of your choice, simply because they receive revenue directly from those TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes tickets marked with their names.
- BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: Businesses can support the PCCC through various sponsorships, such as the daily newsletter, website or through several events such as a dozen Pro-Ams. Additionally, restaurants, clothing stores and entertainment stops and such are asked to donate a gift card with at least a $25 value in the name of your charity of choice to benefit them in the Golf Ball Charity Auction.
- WHEN, WHERE: The tournament is Aug. 7-17 at Highland Springs Country Club, with the pros beginning play Aug. 13. Contact the PCCC staff at 417-887-3400.
About Southwest Center for Independent Living
It’s been an incredible 25-year run for Southwest Center for Independent Living, whose work is strengthened because more than half its staff and board also have disabilities themselves. Thus, it gives them a unique perspective when providing services to others with disabilities.
SCIL tries to eliminate discrimination and increase accessibility for all people with disabilities. It provides advocacy at the government level, in the community and in schools to provide inclusive social and recreational activities, peer support, youth services, transition assistance out of nursing homes and personal attendant care in the home.
PCCC’s funding provides vital funding to SCIL’s many youth programs. The organization firmly believes that our children are our future. With 1 in 15 children living with disabilities in southwest Missouri, SCIL’s youth program adds tremendous value to the lives of these children and the future of southwest Missouri.
For youth, gaining independence means gaining the necessary skills and confidence to move out on their own after high school, get a job or go to college. SCIL’s youth programs serve youths ages 10 to 24.
Beyond all that, Southwest Center for Independent Living dedicates staff and resources to youth in many different ways:
- Empowering kids to embrace disability culture and pride, and to advocate on their own behalf
- Teaching social skills to thrive in an environment of their peers
- Setting and reaching goals for life after high school
- Teaching independent living and job skills that are vital to the transition into adult life
- Advocating for children with disabilities in the community and schools to promote inclusion and acceptance
- Educating parents and families on disability related topics
- Providing inclusive social events, such as the annual Evening of Enchantment Prom, that has attendance of over 300 people
- Providing inclusive recreational activities to allow children with disabilities to build relationships with their peers
SCIL is currently in the middle of a fundraising campaign to support an expansion. The addition of a second building will allow SCIL to expand services, hiring more staff to serve people with disabilities and create more space to provide these services.
The building will house a model apartment in which youth with disabilities can learn independent living skills and prepare them for life on their own after high school graduation.
The apartment also will function as a place for people with newly acquired disabilities to come and learn how to adapt to their disability, and help them to be less dependent on others in their daily life.
The building also will house SCIL’s growing Assistive Technology department, which provides recycled medical equipment, such as power chairs and walkers, to people with disabilities at no charge. There will also be a larger equipment demonstration room for people to try a variety of adaptive items, such as adaptive phones, magnifiers and hard of hearing equipment.