Blog - LIFTT

Grand Opening @ New Billings Location May 10

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) invites the public to the Grand Opening of our new Billings office at 1241 Crawford Drive on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The grand opening will feature great food catered by the Culinary Arts Program from Passages and door prizes. At 12:30 p.m., the Billings Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony. LIFTT team members will be on hand to guide tours of the new space and provide information about LIFTT’s many programs and services.

“We are excited to show the community our new buliding and how we hope to use it as a hub for the disability community and to further our mission of promoting equality and independence,” said LIFTT executive director Carlos Ramalho.

Grand Opening Sponsorships Available

LIFTT is looking for businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring our grand opening and contributing to our mission of promoting equality and independence for the disabled community in southeastern and south-central Montana. For more information about being a sponsor, please visit https://liftt.betterworld.org/campaigns/sponsor-our-grand-opening.

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.

Hawkinson named to MCIE Community Advisory Council

LIFTT Senior IL Specialist and Glendive Regional Manager Jennifer Hawkinson has joined the Community Advisory Council of the Montana Center for Inclusive Education at Montana State University Billings. Description: White woman with black hair wearing glasses and a white shirt with red flowers

LIFTT Glendive Regional Manager and Senior IL Specialist Jennifer Hawkinson has joined the Community Advisory Council of the Montana Center for Inclusive Education (MCIE) housed at Montana State University Billings.

The Montana Center for Inclusive Education (MCIE) at Montana State University Billings has named LIFTT’s Glendive Regional Manager and Senior Independent Living Specialist Jennifer Hawkinson to a three-year term on the inaugural Montana Center Community Advisory Council.

As envisioned, the Montana Center Community Advisory Council will bring together stakeholders, including people with disabilities, their families, educators, and service providers, to offer guidance to the MCIE as it pursues its vision of ” creating a fully inclusive society that values diversity” through its mission of “serving the diverse population of Montana by providing continuing professional development opportunities for educators and direct service providers.”

“LIFTT and the Montana Center for Inclusive Education share a commitment to policies, programs, and services that promote the full independent participation of Montanans with disabilities in their communities,” said Hawkinson. “This is particularly true when it comes to seeing that youth have the best possible support when transitioning from K-12 education to the next stage in life, be it post-secondary education or the working world, which is a particular passion of mine; I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Community Advisory Council and strengthen the link between our organizations.”

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 on Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

March 2024 LIFTT Connection Newsletter Now Available

The March 2024 edition of the LIFTT Connection Newsletter is now available!

Click here to download it (Adobe PDF)

In this issue of the LIFTT Connection:

Moving! Billings office is headed to 1241 Crawford Drive in April (Please note the web post combines the articles “LIFTT Billings Office to Move to 1241 Crawford Drive” & “Director’s Corner: See you at 13th & Crawford!” on pages one and two of the paper (pdf) edition)
Flooding Disrupts LIFTT’s Billings Operations: office closed until further notice, flood recovery fund set up

You can request that we email you an electronic copy or snail mail you a paper copy of the March 2024 LIFTT Connection newsletter and future newsletters by sending your name and address to jedb@liftt.org. Also, look for articles from the newsletter to be posted on liftt.org and our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn feeds.

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 southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Flooding Disrupts LIFTT’s Billings Operations

Editor’s note: A version of this story about our recent flooding can be found in the new edition of the “LIFTT Connection” newsletter. Click here to download it! (Adobe PDF)

During the weekend of March 2-3, The LIFTT office at 1201 Grand Avenue in Billings experienced an unfortunate turn of events: an old toilet and pipe broke, causing substantial flooding.

The water damage has rendered all particle-board furniture, including desks and other items, unusable. Efforts are underway to assess the damage and possible loss of supplies and equipment. AmeriClean, a local disaster remediation company, continues working with LIFTT on salvage and recovery operations.

The flooding incident is a temporary obstacle for LIFTT, which has been preparing to leave the rented space on Grand Avenue and make a monumental move to a new building. The facility at 1241 Crawford Drive, slated for an April 2024 grand opening, is still undergoing electrical renovations and is not ready for immediate occupancy.

Carlos Ramalho, Executive Director of LIFTT, expressed regret over the interruption of services but remains optimistic about the future. “While this flooding incident is a significant challenge, we are resilient and committed to restoring services and getting up and running in our new building as quickly as possible,” said Ramalho.

Billings office closed until further notice; flood recovery fund set up

While the Billings office is closed to the public until further notice, Billings-based team members may be reached via phone and email. Click here for a complete directory of LIFTT team members. Operations continue as usual at LIFTT’s Glendive location.

LIFTT encourages community members to offer their support during this challenging time. Interested individuals can contact LIFTT at (406) 259-5181 or donate to the Flood Recovery Fund at liftt.betterworld.org/donate.

LIFTT is grateful for the understanding and cooperation of the community as they work to overcome this unforeseen obstacle.

“Living Well in Montana” discusses LIFTT’s flooding with Dakota Smith of AmeriClean

Jed Barton and Debra Acosta talked with Dakota Smith, the owner of AmeriClean Disaster Restoration Services, about the recent flooding at the Billings LIFTT office and what folks can and should consider when disasters such as flooding strike their homes or businesses.

Local Media Coverage of the Flooding

Non-Stop Local (KULR 8-): “Billings local non-profit, LIFTT, impacted by flooding at its main office”

KTVQ: “Weekend flooding at Billings nonprofit accelerates moving plans”

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 on either Apple or Google Play.

:

LIFTT and Carbon County Public Health to host vaccine clinics

LIFTT and Carbon County Public Health will host a series of mobile vaccine clinics at senior centers across Carbon County in March. Vaccines that will be available include influenza, influenza high dose, COVID, RSV, Shingles (Shingrix), and Pneumonia (Prevenar 20)

Wedensday, March 5, 2024, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fromberg Senior Center (111 W. River St)
Thursday, March 14, 2024, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Bridger Senior Center (306 E. Broadway)
Thursday, March 21, 2024, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Boyd Senior Center (300 Montana Ave.)

For more information about these vaccine clinics, contact the Carbon County Public Health Department at (406) 446-9914. These clinics are made possible in part through LIFTT’s participation in the Aging and Disability Vaccine Collaborative funded by USAging and the Administration for Community Living

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, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on either Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

ADVC/ACL Funding Disclaimer

Billings office is closed until further notice

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) regrets to announce that our Billings office (1201 Grand Avenue) will be closed until further notice due to flooding and clean up efforts. Please continue to follow our website and social media channels for updates as they become available.

Operations at our Glendive location will continue as normal. Consumers needing to contact their Billings-based independent living specialist or PCA program manager can leave them a phone or email message. Click here for a complete directory of our team.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Due to flooding and clean-up efforts, our Billings office is closed until further notice.

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, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on either Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Moving! Billings office is headed to 1241 Crawford Drive in April

The new LIFTT building at 1241 Crawford Drive, The building was formerly St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

LIFTT’s Billings office is moving to 1241 Crawford Drive, the former St. Stephen’s Church building, beginning in April 2024. (photo by Deb Acosta)

Editor’s note: This post combines the articles “LIFTT Billings Office to Move to 1241 Crawford Drive” & “Director’s Corner: See you at 13th & Crawford!” on pages one and two of the latest edition of the LIFTT Connection Newsletter, which can be downloaded here. (Adobe PDF)

In a significant stride towards expanding its capacity and services, Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), a cornerstone in empowering individuals with disabilities, is thrilled to announce the purchase of a new building at 1241 Crawford Drive, Billings, MT 59102. the move, set for April 2024, marks an exciting new chapter in LIFTT’s history, furthering its mission to lift individuals above life’s barriers.

Strategically located for enhanced accessibility and community engagement, the new premises at the corner of 13th Street West and Crawford Drive, the former site of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, promises a bright future for LIFTT, its consumers, and the broader disability community. This expansion responds to the growing need for LIFTT’s core independent living services, which has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carlos Ramalho, Executive Director of LIFTT, expressed enthusiasm about the new opportunities the larger space will bring. “The new building will not only accommodate our growing operations but will also allow us to introduce innovative programs and host community activities that will enrich the lives of those we serve,” said Ramalho.

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow has been a beacon of hope and support for the disabled community across 18 southeastern and south-central Montana counties for over 36 years. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, LIFTT offers a range of programs and services designed to break down physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers and promote full, independent participation in society.

As LIFTT embarks on this exciting journey, the organization welcomes the community’s support through donations, which can be made directly at liftt.org/get-involved/donate-support. Your contribution will play a vital role in offering a more inclusive and supportive community that enhances the lives of individuals with disabilities.

For more information regarding LIFTT and the move of its Billings office, please contact either Carlos Ramalho, Executive Director (406) 294-5190, carlosr@liftt.org or Jed Barton Public Relations, Government Affairs & Independent Living Specialist (406) 294-5186, jedb@liftt.org

In a special message about moving to the LIFTT Community Executive Director, Carlos Ramalho wrote:

To our consumers, friends, and supporters,

We’re thrilled to announce that LIFTT is moving to 1241 Crawford Drive, Billings, MT 59102. The new building, the former St. Stephen’s Church, is on the corner of 13th Street West and Crawford Drive—six blocks north of Grand Avenue and two blocks south of Poly Drive! Our move will not change anything between us—except that it will help us serve you better.

Remember that moving is a normal part of life! You will love LIFTT’s new location because we were thinking of you when we planned it.

Our new office is very close to our current location. There is a bus stop right in front of the new building. If you prefer to drive, there will be lots of parking spaces. We have great plans for the new location. There will be an auditorium, a community room, classrooms, and lots of space for community activities.

LIFTT’s new building is wheelchair-friendly and ADA-accessible. We want everyone to feel welcome and included.

This new location provides LIFTT with the opportunity to grow its vision and empower individuals with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

We’ll be moving in April 2024!

At LIFTT, our consumers, friends, and supporters are family. We’ve known each other for a long time. And we can’t wait to have you see our new building. You feel right at home.

To keep track of our move, I encourage you to follow us on LIFTT.org, Facebook, and Instagram. For your convenience, our main phone number remains (406) 259-5181, and your IL Specialist and/or PCA program manager’s direct number and email address should remain the same before, during, and after our move.

See you at 13th & Crawford soon,

Carlos Ramalho
Executive Director

LIFTT Executive Director Carlos Ramalho stands in front of a U-Haul truck as the moving process is underway (photo by Jed Barton)
The corner of 13th Street W and Crawford Drive will be the new home of LIFTT in Billings! (photo by Deb Acosta)

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, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on either Apple or Google Play.

President’s Day 2024: Office Closed

In observance of President’s Day, LIFTT’s offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 8 a.m.

LIFTT wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable President’s Day weekend!

Think Franklin D. Roosevelt has been our only disabled president? Click here to learn about a number of U.S. Presidents who, like FDR, have served while having both visible and invisible disabilities Thanks to our CIL colleagues at the Living Independently Now Center of Southern Illinois for the great information!

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 southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

January 2024 LIFTT Connection Newsletter Now Avaliable

The January 2024 edition of the LIFTT Connection Newsletter is now available!

Click here to download it (Adobe PDF)

In this issue of the LIFTT Connection:

You can request that we email you an electronic copy or mail you a paper copy by sending your name and address to jedb@liftt.org. Also, look for articles from the newsletter to be posted on liftt.org and our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn feeds.

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 southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration March 14

Put on your green and join LIFTT’s Peer Support Group on Microsoft Teams for Trivia, games, and lots of blarney during their Virtual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Thursday, March 14, from 3 to 4 p.m,

For more information about the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and/or our online support group, contact LIFTT Peer Program Co-Coordinator Tanya Thomas at (406) 690-6324 or tanyat@liftt.org,

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 southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.