The Appalachian Center for Independent Living will celebrate the opening of its new Charleston office on Thursday, Oct. 22, with an open house highlighting its services for people with disabilities across 16 West Virginia counties.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Schoenbaum Center, 1701 Fifth Ave., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. in partnership with the Charleston Area Alliance. Visitors can tour the second-floor office, meet staff and learn about the nonprofit's programs.
The organization will also introduce its new "Neighborhood" concept, an initiative designed to bring people together around accessibility, independence and community inclusion.
“Disability is one of the largest shared experiences in West Virginia, with one in four people experiencing challenges in daily life," said Lisa Creel, the organization's executive director. "It touches individuals, families, and communities throughout our state.”
Lisa Creel
Creel said the initiative reflects the organization's belief that accessibility and inclusion are issues that affect the broader community, not just people living with disabilities.
“Our Neighborhood concept brings people together to build a community where everyone has the opportunity to live independently, participate fully, and belong,” Creel notes.
Founded in 1982, the Appalachian Center for Independent Living serves nearly 180 people each month through programs that include life skills training, health and wellness classes, peer support, transportation assistance and referrals to community resources.
The nonprofit also provides home accessibility modifications, assistive devices and Veterans Directed Care, a program that helps eligible veterans remain in their homes with personalized support.
The organization operates under the independent living philosophy, which emphasizes the right of people with disabilities to make their own decisions and participate fully in their communities. Its work is guided by the principle "Nothing About Us, Without Us," which calls for people with disabilities to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives.
The new Neighborhood initiative centers on three areas — people, places and ideas — with an emphasis on building connections, improving accessibility and developing solutions to barriers faced by people with disabilities.
The center serves residents of Boone, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Nicholas, Pleasants, Putnam, Ritchie, Roane, Webster, Wirt and Wood counties.
The open house will include refreshments and opportunities for visitors to learn more about the organization's services.
