New IL Program Manager Pam Ramirez is glad to be back in the Big Sky.
In this exclusive interview, Pam Ramirez shares her journey from Glendive, Montana, to Arizona, and back again. As the newly appointed Independent Living Program Manager at Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) Pam reflects on her roots, her passion for helping others, and her excitement about making a difference in her home state.
Q: Pam, tell us about your roots and connection to Montana.
Pam: I was born and raised in Glendive, Montana, where I spent the best years of my life surrounded by family, friends, school, and work. Those years hold so many cherished memories for me, and Montana has always been home in my heart, no matter where life has taken me.
Q: What brought you to Arizona, and what inspired your return to Montana
Pam: After marrying my husband, we moved to Arizona, where I lived for many wonderful years. Life was good, and we were happy, but over time, I became homesick. I missed Montana’s people and beauty — the fresh air, the vast landscapes, and the mountains that always felt like home. I knew I wanted to return to where I belonged.
Q: How did your journey lead you to LIFTT?
Pam: My best friend, Jen Hawkinson, who is the Regional Manager at LIFTT, told me about an opportunity at the organization. Thanks to her encouragement, I was offered the position of Independent Living Manager in Billings, Montana. Joining LIFTT felt like coming home in more ways than one — not only to Montana but also to a purpose-driven role with the most amazing nonprofit organization in the state.
Q: What has your transition back to Montana and into this role been like?
Pam: My first day at LIFTT was in December, and although I’m currently working remotely until I find a permanent home in Billings, I come up every month for a full week. It’s been a smooth transition, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received from the team.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work at LIFTT?
Pam: The greatest joy in this role is seeing the positive impact we can make. I love the challenge of putting a smile on someone’s face, giving hope and strength to those who feel weary, and helping them realize their own potential. Sharing information, pointing people in the right direction, and guiding them toward self-determination, self-help, and self-advocacy is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What drives your passion for independent living services? Pam: There’s something deeply transformative about witnessing someone realize that solutions exist for every problem and that no one should be excluded or ignored in our society. We are a nation built on the principles of equal opportunity and access, and I’m committed to upholding those values for LIFTT’s consumers. I also want to ensure our team of Independent Living Specialists has the tools they need to empower individuals throughout our service area.
Q: What message do you have for the community as we start a new year?
Pam: I am so excited to be part of the LIFTT team and to work with an organization that’s truly making a difference. To our consumers, supporters, and partners, I want to say, “Happy New Year!” Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, empowerment, and progress. Together, we can continue transforming lives and building a more inclusive future.
About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit LIFTT.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.
You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.
