In September this year, Independent Living Services will celebrate 32 years of service to the people with disabilities in Faulkner County. Our roots go back to a volunteer effort to open a group home for eight men from the Conway Human Development Center. Today we provide supports to more than 120 folks with developmental disabilities. Our first budget was $12,000. Today we have an annual budget of more than $2.3 million and employ more than 100 full- and part-time people.
While our history has been one of group-home living, we are striving to meet new standards and expectations of smaller living arrangements through the purchase of two homes, one on South Boulevard and one on Dennison Street and the rental of two homes on Rumker Lane and the development of an 18-unit apartment complex in Greenbrier. HUD has approved a grant of $956,400. ILS will invest more than $30,000 in the project.
We do measure success based on an increase in the annual budget or number of consumers and employees; we also measure success on a daily basis by each person receiving the services they need to be safe, productive and happy. Success is brushing teeth without assistance for the first time. Success is being able to get and keep a job. Success can be living away from home for the first time in a group or living alone in an apartment. Success is having a checking account and being able to pay bills. Success is being a star for one night on stage at UCA.
Mission Statement
Independent Living Services Inc. is a nonprofit service agency that endeavors to assist in making a better life possible for people with developmental disabilities. Independent Living Services Inc. recognizes that each person is different and provides an array of services to best meet individual needs.
Independent Living Services Inc. will strive:
* To provide services in an atmosphere of dignity and respect as people work toward reaching their life goals while living in the community.
* To provide a safe, healthy, caring home environment where people can live a good quality of life.
* To provide training and assistance that will enable the person to perform well within the community.
* To assist in establishing a network of friends and family connections that will assist the individual through the adventures of daily living.
Services
* Residential living in three group homes, 17 apartments or community homes.
* Small intermediate care facility with medical staffing.
* Case management.
* Adult day learning center.
* Follow along and in-home care.
* Nursing.
* Physical, occupational and speech therapy.
* Financial management.
* Transportation.
Success and Thanks
The success of Independent Living Services Inc. is due to the vision, hard work and caring of the team of professionals, volunteers and board of directors. Although every team member contributes to making the daily successes of our consumers' possible, the direct-care professionals and instructors who work with our consumers are the keys to success. It is through their caring attitudes, belief that each person has value, ability to work hard in any circumstance and gift of themselves, that the consumers at Independent Living Services live in safe, happy, and productive homes.
Thank you Direct Care Professionals and Instructors!
There can be no friendship.
Where there is no freedom.
Friendship loves a free air.
And will not be fenced up.
In strait and narrow enclosures.
-- William Penn
