The Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) is a peer-driven, community-based organization that empowers people with disabilities to lead self-directed lives in the community through advocacy, training and referral to resources that promote independent living.
One of the original Independent Living Centers in New York State, WILC is part of a national association of Independent Living Centers that provide a wide spectrum of non-residential and non-medical services.
WILC first opened its doors in 1981. Since that time, WILC has maintained a steady presence in Westchester County and the Lower Hudson Valley Region – incorporating in its daily activities the Independent Living philosophy of choice, societal inclusion, and empowerment.
As a non-profit, consumer-directed advocacy, resource, and training center WILC serves people of all ages with all physical and mental disabilities, their families, business and industry, local government agencies, human service organizations, school personnel, civic organizations, hospitals, and the medical community.
WHO WE SERVE
WILC provides information, services, advocacy, technical assistance, and trainings in the Lower Hudson Valley. We serve persons of all ages and with disabilities that fall into all five disability categories, physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health and multiple disabilities; families of persons with disabilities; and professionals who work with persons with disabilities.
In the future, WILC will continue to provide a wide spectrum of non-residential and non-medical services throughout the Lower Hudson Valley Region. WILC will continue to serve persons of all ages with all disabilities, diverse and/or underserved populations. In all services provided, WILC will continue to promote personal awareness, personal responsibility, self-reliance, recovery, self-advocacy, positive self-image, and self-determination and self-sufficiency. WILC will continue to provide services in a culturally appropriate manner.
PUTNAM INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES, Brewster NY
In 2002, WILC established a satellite office, Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS). PILS not only provides services in Putnam County, but it also facilitates WILC in servicing the northern part of WILC’s catchment area, i.e., northern Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties.
For more information on PILS visit putnamils.org
OUTREACH OFFICE Yonkers, NY
In 2010, WILC established an Outreach Office in the heart of downtown Yonkers at VIVE Pathways to Success – a dynamic intergeneration public school which is part of a school district that specializes in services to high at risk youth and their families (majority are Hispanic Spanish speaking, also African American).
WILC’S outreach office is located at the VIVE School, Yonkers Pathway Success, Yonkers, NY .
What sets WILC and other Independent Living Centers (ILCs) apart from other agencies that serve individuals with a disability is that ILCs are consumer controlled. More than half of their Board of Directors is required to be comprised of persons with disabilities.
We invite you to contact us at contact@wilc.org if you have any questions or would like information on becoming a board member.
WILC has a long history of hiring, training and retaining qualified staff to effectively run our programs. Members of WILC’s staff reflect the diversity of disabilities and ethnicities of our community. WILC has Spanish speaking staff available and staff who can sign. WILC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are always encouraged to apply.
LOCATIONS AND HOURS
- WILC’s main office at 10 County Center Road, White Plains, NY, is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- PILS, located at 1441 Route 22, Brewster, NY, is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- WILC’S outreach office is located at the VIVE School, Yonkers Pathway Success, Yonkers, NY. Call 914-376-8600 (voice) or 914-259-8036 (VP) for hours.
All three offices are centrally located, easily accessed, and accessible.
FUNDING SOURCES
WILC was incorporated in 1981 as a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency. WILC is funded as a Center for Independent Living by both federal and state government agencies. WILC is also funded by county government agencies, fee for service contracts, grants, and donations. WILC’s 990 can be found on Guidestar.org
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Throughout its history, WILC has maintained a steady presence in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley region by working with organizations, agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, schools/school districts, parent groups, civic organizations, faith based organizations, colleges/universities, businesses, government officials, politicians, etc. We continually strive to partner and collaborate locally to serve local and regional needs.
WILC’s grievance procedures are part of WILC’s “Your Rights Form” that is distributed to all consumers upon initial contact.
WILC EMPLOYEES RECEIVE AWARDS
Throughout the years, numerous WILC employees have been recognized for their achievements and accomplishments, including the NYS Excelsior Award for Excellence, National Council on Independent Living’s Advocacy Award, Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame, NYS Assembly Citation, etc.
95.5 K-LOVE & 96.7 Air 1 Radio Interview
Listen to Margaret Nunziato of Westchester Independent Living Center discuss a handful of the many programs and services WILC offers to individuals with disabilities.
