Blog - LIFTT

Happy Holidays from LIFTT!

Happy Holidays from all of us at LIFTT! So that our team members may celebrate with family and friends, LIFTT’s offices in Billings and Glendive will be closed on Christmas Day (Monday 12/25) and New Year’s Day (Monday 01/01/2024). We will be open Tuesday, December 26- Thursday, December 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, December 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can contact LIFTT at any time at (406) 259-5181 (Billings), (406) 948-8500 (Glendive), and through our contact page.

Interested in supporting LIFTT as part of your year-end charitable contributions? You can do so through our website: https://liftt.org/get-involved/donate-support/ or contact Executive Director Carlos Ramalho at (406) 294-5190 or carlosr@liftt.org.

Again, Happy Holidays from LIFTT. May the season bring you tidings of comfort and joy, and we look forward to serving you in 2024!

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, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. Please visit liftt.org or download our Apple or Google Play mobile app for more information.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Otto Bremer Trust continues supporting LIFTT

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is pleased to announce a grant received from the Otto Bremer Trust in the amount of $60,000.00 to support LIFTT’s ongoing operations.

The award is LIFTT’s second in recent years from the St. Paul Minnesota-based foundation. Since its founding in 1944, the Otto Bremer Trust has been committed to “investing in people, places, and opportunities in our region of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.”

“LIFTT is very grateful to the Otto Bremer Trust for showing confidence in our stewardship of their funds by awarding us this additional grant; said LIFTT executive director Carlos Ramalho. “These dollars come at an important time for our organization as we continue to look towards an exciting future of expanding programs and services for and with the disabled community of southeastern and south-central Montana.”

If you are interested in donating to LIFTT’s work, you can do that through https://liftt.org/get-involved/donate-support/ or contact Executive Director Carlos Ramalho at (406) 294-5190 or carlosr@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 south central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. Please visit liftt.org or download our Apple or Google Play mobile app for more information.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Happy Thanksgiving 2023!

LIFTT Offices are closed Thursday, November 23rd, and Friday, November 24th, so our team can celebrate with their friends and families.

We will reopen on Monday, November 27th at 8 a.m.

All of us at LIFTT wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving 2023!

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

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Donate your myWalgreens rewards to LIFTT until 12/31

We are participating in the myWalgreens donation program! You can donate your myWalgreens rewards to LIFTT through December 31, 2023. When you register for myWalgreens rewards and shop at your neighborhood (or any) Walgreens, you’ll earn unlimited 1% Walgreens Cash rewards when you shop, and you can go online and choose how much to donate to LIFTT. It’s that easy!

Whether you’d like to contribute $1, $5, or more of your Walgreens Cash rewards, you’ll make a big difference as we provide programs and services by and for people with disabilities across southeastern & southcentral Montana. To donate your MyWalgreens rewards to LIFTT or for more information about the myWalgreens donation program, visit: walgreens.com/mywalgreens/donation.jsp. Thank you from all of us at LIFTT!

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

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Annedria Vincent: #TeamMemberTuesdays

Annedria Vincent, PCA Program Facilitator in LIFTT's Billings office

Hello, my name is Annedria Vincent. People usually ask me where my first name came from and what it means. For those curious, it is Greek and means Art, knowledge, Freedom Lover.

I joined LIFTT as a Program Facilitator for the Community First Choice Self-Directed Personal Assisted Services (CFC/SDPAS) Medicaid program in 2023. I am excited to be part of LIFTT’s team. Before Joining LIFTT, I ran our family farm from home and did Medicaid Insurance Support for several states. I grew up moving around a lot because my father was in the military until he retired in 1995. I graduated from Billings West High School in 2000. Afterward, I went to Massage Therapy School and worked as an administrator for a Daycare till the Caregiver Retired in 2012. I have worked in many different jobs, from customer service to administration.

Like many of LIFTT’s employees, I live with my disabilities, including Bipolar, Fibromyalgia, and Asthma. I believe that our disabilities should not define who we are, but we should learn how to live, work with them, and find the tools we need to make a difference each day.

I love to spend time with my children, family, and animals in my free time. I am a widow and a proud mom of three beautiful children. I have two daughters and one son. Watching them grow every day is truly a blessing. Exploring Montana on my horses with my family is one of my favorite pastimes.

If you have any questions about the CFC/SDPAS program, please do not hesitate to contact me at annedriav@liftt.org or 406-259-5181.

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

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Veterans Day 2023: LIFTT Offices closed November 10

In honor of Veterans Day 2023, LIFTT offices will be closed on Friday, November 10, 2023. We will reopen on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 8 a.m. LIFTT thanks all who have or are serving in the armed forces. Your service and sacrifice on behalf of our freedoms is appreciated.

On this Veterans Day 2023 and everyday: If you or someone you know are a veteran with a disability living in our service area, we would be pleased to visit with you to see how LIFTT might serve you. LIFTT can be reached at (406) 259-5181 (Billings), (406) 948-8500 (Glendive), or through our website at liftt.org/contact.

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

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Erin Culp: #TeamMemberTuesdays

Hello! My name is Erin Culp, and I am an independent living specialist with LIFTT. I am 29 years old and was born right here in Billings. Montana. I grew a love for “Harry Potter” early on and still do! I grew up in Huntley, a small community just outside of Billings, where I loved to go fishing, hang out at bonfires, and be with family and friends. I recently joined LIFTT because I have grown up with a passion for helping others. I have a family who worked with children with disabilities my whole life. I love helping others because I get to watch them grow. You get to see their smiles when they finally get something done that they have been working towards for weeks or longer.

As I got older, I found myself leaning towards jobs where I could help others. I was a CNA working with the elderly and helping them feel comfortable no matter what stage of life they were in. I then changed jobs to working with adults with different disabilities. I helped them within their homes, cooking, cleaning, helping them work towards independence, and that they were heard on their needs. I then started running supported living homes where I worked with Case Managers and family members of the clients, ensuring they had the things they needed to stay healthy and happy. During these jobs, my youngest of three children was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. This made my passion grow to help him and others with disabilities learn and grow.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, being with my family, and watching my children play whatever sport they are into. With three kids, we are usually on the go most days! On slow weekends, my family enjoys watching movies together, including the “Harry Potter” series, of course!! We enjoy camping, fishing, and just enjoying family time.

Please feel free to reach out to me with questions about the array of independent living services we provide here at LIFTT. You can reach me at (406) 294-5189 or erinc@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 south central 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 for Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Dalana Smith: #TeamMemberTuesdays

I’m Dalana Smith, an independent living specialist with LIFTT based out of the Glendive office. I grew up in Missoula and Glendive as a child. I spent most of my teen years in Glendive. I wasn’t always the easiest kid to deal with, which led me to the Job Corps, where I graduated. I moved back to Glendive and enjoyed hiking, camping, and floating in the river. Just enjoying the great outdoors. In 2013, I had my son but struggled with postpartum depression, which led me back into active addiction. I struggled with that for many years before I took the steps to turn my life around.

In 2018, I had a baby girl, and soon after, in 2019, I had another baby girl. In 2020, I married my best friend and the love of my life. In 2022, I welcomed my son back home after eight years. I have been trying to be the best version of myself for my kids. I spend every day trying to be someone better than I was yesterday. A couple of things I love to do are playing with my kids, watching them in sports, listening to music, family trips, and eating amazing food. Working for LIFTT makes me feel like that after all the bad things that I have done. I finally have a chance to give it back by helping people. It gives me meaning, and I love that. I love my LIFTT family; they have welcomed me graciously.

I enjoy working in these small, amazing communities that make up our corner of Montana. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about LIFTT” ‘s independent living services, please reach out to me at (406) 948-8502 or dalanas@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 south central 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 for Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Teresa Elliott: #TeamMemberTuesdays

My name is Teresa Elliott, and I recently joined LIFTT as a Program Facilitator in the Self-Direct Personal Care Assistance program based in the Glendive office. I have always been someone who has cared about others and attempted to help in any way possible. I have worked as a HUD-FmHA residential manager for five years as a First Responder, janitorial jobs, business owner, and hotel auditor, working at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home as a Long-term care Liaison. In this capacity, I was helping to ensure that the veterans in the home were being cared for properly and that their dignity was kept intact. I loved working with the veterans and loved many of the ones that I interacted with daily.

I left the Veterans home under sad circumstances, and it broke my heart, but it was necessary. I spent a year and a half healing and found LIFTT quite by accident; a friend of mine recommended that I see Jen Hawkinson at LIFTT and apply for a job. My friend thought I would be a great asset to LIFTT because of my caring nature.

I feel that by giving back to those in the community that has been supporting me emotionally, I can make a difference in the lives of the wonderful people that I encounter. As a PCA program facilitator, I am excited to continue giving back by helping Medicaid-eligible eastern Montanans with disabilities access the services they need to stay in their homes and communities. If you or someone you know would like to find out more about the LIFTT PCA program and if it is the correct program for you, feel free to give me a call at (406) 948-8108 or send an email to teresae@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 south central 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 for Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

LIFTT offices closed on Monday October 9

The Billings and Glendive offices of Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) will be closed in observance of the public holiday on Monday, October 9, 2023. We will reopen on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 8 a.m.

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.