From the Executive Director: Finishing Strong Together

As July arrives, we enter the fourth and final quarter of LIFTT’s fiscal year. For many organizations, this is a time of reviewing budgets, measuring outcomes, and preparing year-end reports. While those responsibilities are certainly important, I find myself thinking about success in a different way.

At LIFTT, success isn’t measured only in numbers.

Success is the older adult who can once again get to a medical appointment because transportation is available.

Success is the person with a disability who finds safe housing after months of uncertainty.

Success is the consumer who learns a new skill, gains confidence, or discovers that they are capable of achieving goals they once thought were out of reach.

Success is found in moments of independence.

As we approach the close of another fiscal year on September 30, I am filled with gratitude for our extraordinary staff, dedicated Board of Directors, generous volunteers, community partners, donors, and most importantly, the consumers who place their trust in LIFTT every day. Together, we continue building communities where people with disabilities and older adults can live independently, make their own choices, and participate fully in community life.

The final quarter of our fiscal year also happens to be one of my favorite times of the year.

Summer brings longer days, opportunities to gather with friends and neighbors, and the energy that comes from being out in our communities. It is also the season when we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law that reminds us how far our nation has come in advancing accessibility, equality, and opportunity. Each July 26, we celebrate not only the ADA itself, but also the people whose courage and advocacy transformed our communities and continue to inspire the work we do today.

This summer is especially exciting for LIFTT.

Preparations are well underway for our inaugural Hidden Treasures & Grand Journeys: An Evening of Opportunity for LIFTT on August 1. This event is more than a fundraiser. It is a celebration of community, generosity, and the belief that when we come together, we can create opportunities that change lives. We are also looking forward to the Montana Independent Living Symposium, where advocates, consumers, and partners from across the state will gather to celebrate 50 years of the Independent Living Movement and help shape its future.

Every one of these activities reminds us why we are LIFTT.

We are here because independence matters.

We are here because every person deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose, and self-determination.

We are here because stronger communities are built when everyone has the opportunity to participate.

As we finish this fiscal year, our work is far from finished. There are still lives to touch, barriers to remove, partnerships to strengthen, and new opportunities to create. I have never been more optimistic about LIFTT’s future or more grateful to be part of this remarkable organization.

Thank you for walking this journey with us.

Let’s finish the year strong and continue to open pathways to independence together.

Warm regards,

Carlos Ramalho
Executive Director
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (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 disabilites and aging indivduals with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Boiler Modernization Project Begins at Billings Office July 13

Beginning July 13, the Billings LIFTT office at 1241 Crawford Drive will be undergoing a boiler modernization project. The project is expected to last through the middle of September. (File Photo/LIFTT)

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is excited to announce that a major facility improvement project will begin at our Billings Office on Monday, July 13, 2026. The Boiler Modernization Project is expected to continue through September 18, 2026, representing an important investment in the long-term safety, efficiency, and reliability of our building.

The project will be led by G&T Plumbing and Mechanical, with additional authorized contractors and subcontractors working throughout the facility as needed. Team members and visitors may notice construction activities, equipment, and workers in designated areas over the next several weeks.

What to Expect

As with any major building improvement project, there will be periods of construction-related activity, including:

Temporary noise and vibration.
Occasional changes to building access or parking.
Temporary disruptions to heating or mechanical systems.
Increased contractor presence throughout the facility.

While we recognize these temporary inconveniences, the completed project will provide lasting benefits for our staff, consumers, and the communities we serve.

Safety First

The safety of everyone in our building remains our highest priority. During construction, please remember to:

Stay out of construction zones and any areas marked with barriers or caution signage.
Follow all temporary directional signs and access restrictions.
Be aware of contractors moving tools, equipment, and materials throughout the building.
Keep hallways, exits, and emergency routes clear.
Report any safety concerns immediately to a LIFTT Team Member.
LIFTT Team Members will assist consumers and visitors who may need help navigating temporary route changes.

Your cooperation helps ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Protecting Consumer Privacy

Because our contractors are not members of the LIFTT team, all team members will continue to follow established confidentiality and HIPAA procedures. This includes securing confidential documents and locking computer workstations when unattended in order to ensure consumer information is not visible or accessible to unauthorized individuals.

A Temporary Change for Health & Wellness Classes

During the construction period, SAIL and Tai Chi classes scheduled for the Billings Office will temporarily relocate to First Presbyterian Church, which is located just northwest of the Billings LIFTT Office at 2420 13th Street West. We extend our sincere appreciation to Pastor Dave Thompson and the rest of the wonderful church family for generously welcoming our wellness programs during this time. Their partnership allows these important classes to continue without interruption.

Thank You for Working with us During the Construction

Large projects like this require patience, flexibility, and teamwork. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our staff, consumers, volunteers, and community partners as we complete this important modernization project. Updates will be shared throughout the construction period as milestones are reached or if temporary operational changes become necessary.

For more information, please contact the Billings LIFTT office at (406) 259-5181 or through the contact page on our website.

Together, we’re building an even stronger LIFTT for the 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 disabilites and aging indivduals with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

LIFTT Receives $50,000 Blue Impact Grant to Provide Accessible Transportation for Rural Montanans

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana recently awarded LIFTT a $50,000 Blue Impact Grant in support of the RideWell Transportation Program. RideWell will provide accessible transportation to people with disabilities in rural areas for distant medical appointments.

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 Blue Impact Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBMT) to support the RideWell ADA-Accessible Rural Transportation Program.

The award recognizes RideWell’s commitment to improving access to health care, community participation and independent living opportunities for aging adults and individuals with disabilities throughout South Central and Eastern Montana.

For many Montanans living in rural areas, transportation is the essential link to health care appointments, pharmacies, employment, education, grocery stores, community activities and social connections. Without reliable transportation, individuals can become isolated from services that support their health, independence and quality of life.

RideWell was created to address these challenges by providing safe, reliable, ADA-accessible transportation for aging adults, people with disabilities and others who face transportation barriers. The program is designed to strengthen access to health care and promote greater independence across the vast rural regions served by LIFTT.

“Transportation is often the first step toward accessing health care, employment and community life,” said Carlos Ramalho, LIFTT’s executive director. “This grant will help us move closer to ensuring that no one is left behind simply because they live in a rural area or have a disability.”

BCBSMT’s Blue Impact grant initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and collaborate with community organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that address the social and economic factors impacting health and wellness in our state. LIFTT’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, accessible transportation for people who face transportation barriers directly aligns with the vision of Blue Impact to improve health outcomes in communities across Montana.

“We believe that access to health care should never depend on where you live or the challenges you face,” said Lisa Kelley, president of BCBSMT. “The RideWell program embodies the spirit of community and innovation that Blue Impact was created to support. By helping remove transportation barriers for aging adults and individuals with disabilities, we are investing in healthier, more connected communities throughout South Central and Eastern Montana.”

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSMT is the largest and longest-standing statewide, customer-owned health insurer and full-service health benefits administrator in Montana. BCBSMT has provided high-quality health insurance plans and administrative services to Montanans for more than 85 years and is committed to ensuring its members — no matter where they are on the health spectrum — achieve maximum health.

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 disabilites and aging indivduals with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Get your Hidden Treasures, Grand Journeys Tickets Today!

Hidden Treasures & Grand Journeys, A benefit for RideWell Saturday August 1, 5:30 p.m. at the Columbia Club

Join LIFTT at the Columbia Club in Billings on Saturday, August 1, for “Hidden Treasures & Grand Journeys.” The evening will feature a catered dinner, live and silent auctions, and opportunities for engagement with LIFTT’s mission and programs.

Tickets and Table Sponsorships are going fast for “Hidden Treasures & Grand Journeys,” a dinner, silent and live auction fundraiser in support of RideWell Transportation- a service of LIFTT on Saturday, August 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Columbia Club, 2216 Grand Avenue in Billings.

Catered by Glendive’s Black Sheep Market, Dinner will feature traditional BBQ fare of smoked brisket, teriyaki chicken skewers, rolls, baked beans, and mac’n’cheese, along with a salad bar and cheesecake with strawberries for dessert. A cash bar will be available for those wishing to purchase beverages.

“Hidden Treasures” such as vintage antiques, custom jewelry, spa days, rounds of golf, a Billings Mustangs ticket package, and more await your bid at the silent auction tables.

Local auctioneer, Reno Babcock, will be at the gavel for the Live Auction, which will feature artwork, a portable wheelchair ramp, and three “Grand Journeys” to bid on:

New Zealand Big Game Hunt A three day/four night hunting adventure for six hunters in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand’s South Island where by day a local guide will lead you across thousands of acres for in search of big game such as Red Stag, Fallow Stag, Arapawa Ram, Captain Cook Wild Boar while by night you will enjoy comfortable upscale lodging at Avon Valley Safari’s lodge with local inspired gourmet meals and suburb New Zealand wines and beers.
Argentina Big Game & Dove Hunt: A five-night/four-day trip for six hunters to the Santiago Del Estero province of Argentina, where local guides will help you experience three days pursuing big game such as the Red Stag, Argentine Water Buffalo, and Blackbuck across the Pampas before a final full day of Extreme Volume Dove Hunting. Comfortable upscale lodging will be provided at a genuine Argentine estancia with gourmet meals and a wide selection of local beer and wine.
Casa De Sofía Fiesta!: An eight-day/seven-night (Saturday-Saturday) stay for up to eight people at a private luxury villa in a gated community overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Manzanillo, Mexico, including a private chef, private bartender, private infinity pool, dedicated travel concierge, private neighborhood beach, tennis, golf, snorkeling, jet skiing, fishing, horseback riding, and more!

All proceeds from the dinner and auctions will directly support RideWell, LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Service, which will provide critical mobility assistance to aging and disabled individuals in Southeastern and South-Central Montana. Through RideWell, individuals will be able to attend medical appointments, access essential services, and remain connected to their communities.

Individual tickets are $50, and Table Sponsorships are $400. In addition to eight tickets, table sponsorship includes placement of your name or your organization/business’s name in the event program, signage, social media, and other advertising opportunities. For more information or to purchase your tickets/sponsorship, contact Pamela Ramirez at (406) 294-5189 or pamelar@liftt.org. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://tickets.mtstandard.com/events/hidden-treasures-grand-journeys-fundraising-dinner-8-1-2026-233116

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 disabilites and aging indivduals with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

LIFTT is hiring in the Billings Office!

Join our dynamic team!

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) currently has the following openings in our Billings office. Click on the links to view the full job descriptions

To apply for any of the jobs listed, please send a resume and cover letter to:

Kylie Leeper
Human Resources Manager
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT)
1241 Crawford Drive
Billings, MT 59102
kyliel@liftt.org

LIFTT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply

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 aging and disabled members of the community with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

June 2026 LIFTT Connection Now Available!

The June Edition of the LIFTT Connection Newsletter is now available!

View the June 2026 LIFTT Connection Newsletter Email on the Web

Download the June 2026 LIFTT Connection Newsletter Email (Adobe PDF)

In this issue of the LIFTT Connection:

You can request to join our email list and receive the June 2026 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 aging and disabled members of the community with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Independence Begins at Home with LIFTT’s SDPAS/PCA Program

What does independence look like?

For some people, independence means driving to work every morning. For others, it means raising a family, volunteering in the community, attending church, visiting friends, or simply enjoying the comfort of home.

But what happens when age, illness, injury, or disability makes everyday tasks more difficult?

For many individuals, the answer is not moving away from home. The answer is finding the right support to remain there.

That is where LIFTT’s Self-Directed Personal Care Assistance Services Program, often called the SDPAS or PCA Program, makes a remarkable difference.

Every day throughout our service area, aging individuals and people with disabilities use the program to maintain their independence while continuing to live in their own homes and communities.

The concept is simple but powerful.

Instead of requiring individuals to leave their homes and move into more costly institutional settings, the program allows eligible participants to hire, train, schedule, and direct their own Personal Care Attendants. These attendants assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, mobility assistance, and other essential tasks.

The participant remains in charge.

That choice matters.

No one understands an individual’s needs better than the individual themselves. The Self-Directed model recognizes that people should have the freedom to make decisions about their own care, their own schedules, and their own lives.

The benefits extend far beyond practical assistance.

When people remain in their homes, they remain connected to their families, neighbors, churches, friends, and communities. They maintain routines that provide comfort and stability. They preserve their dignity and their sense of self-determination.

For many participants, the program provides peace of mind. Family members know their loved ones are receiving needed assistance while continuing to enjoy the familiarity and independence of home.

The benefits also extend to taxpayers.

Providing support in community settings is often significantly less expensive than institutional care. Programs that help individuals remain independent can reduce long-term healthcare costs while producing better quality-of-life outcomes.

In other words, everyone benefits.

Participants maintain greater control over their lives.

Families receive support and reassurance.

Communities retain active and engaged residents.

Taxpayers benefit from a more efficient use of public resources.

This is why Centers for Independent Living across the country strongly support consumer-directed services. These programs recognize a simple truth: people do not lose their right to make decisions simply because they need assistance.

At LIFTT, we are proud to administer and support Self-Directed Personal Care Assistance Services because they reflect the very principles upon which the Independent Living movement was founded: choice, dignity, self-determination, community participation, and freedom.

Every day, we see the difference these services make.

We see individuals remaining in homes they love.

We see families staying together.

We see consumers exercising control over their own lives.

And we see independence preserved.

Because independence is not measured by whether someone needs assistance.

Independence is measured by whether people have the freedom to make choices, pursue their goals, and live life on their own terms.

That is exactly what the SDPAS/PCA Program helps make possible.

For more information about LIFTT’s SDPS/PCA Program, please contact Holly Hanson at hollyh@liftt.org or (406) 831-0031

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 aging and disabled members of the community with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Building Stronger Communities Through Education & Wellness

Erin Culp ( seated white female wearing a green shirt and blue jeans) leads a recent SAIL class in some basic free weight exercises.

Free weight exercises are just one of the things that LIFTT’s Erin Culp is now trained to lead as part of her Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) certification.

Erin Takes the Helm of SAIL Classes

At LIFTT, we believe that empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities begins with providing access to high-quality programs, knowledgeable staff, and opportunities that promote health, independence, and community participation.

That commitment recently received another boost as Erin Culp successfully completed all certifications required for her role as Nutritional Health Coach and Independent Living Specialist.

Erin is now actively leading SAIL classes throughout the community. SAIL, which stands for Stay Active and Independent for Life, is an evidence-based strength, balance, and fitness program designed to help older adults improve mobility, reduce the risk of falls, increase confidence, and maintain independence.

For many participants, SAIL is much more than an exercise class. It is an opportunity to build friendships, stay engaged, improve physical well-being, and continue doing the activities that matter most in daily life.

By completing the training and certification requirements necessary to lead these classes, Erin has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth and service excellence. Her accomplishment reflects LIFTT’s ongoing investment in continuing education and workforce development.

As community needs continue to evolve, LIFTT remains committed to ensuring that staff members have access to training, certifications, and professional development opportunities that strengthen our ability to serve consumers effectively. Whether through wellness programs, independent living skills training, peer support, advocacy, transportation services, or community outreach, our goal is always the same: helping people achieve greater independence and improve their quality of life.

The addition of another fully certified instructor expands LIFTT’s capacity to offer evidence-based wellness programming throughout our service area and helps ensure that participants receive instruction grounded in nationally recognized best practices.

We are proud of Erin’s achievement and grateful for her dedication to helping individuals stay active, healthy, and independent.

Every certification earned by a LIFTT staff member represents more than professional advancement. It represents another investment in the people and communities we serve.

Congratulations, Erin, and thank you for helping LIFTT continue to build healthier, stronger, and more independent communities throughout Southeastern and South-Central Montana.

For more information about the Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes, please contact Erin at (406) 831-0017 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 aging and disabled members of the community with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Communication is Independence

Serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and those experiences Hearing Loss

Hearing Aids, American Sign Language, and Phones with Closed Captions are all part of making communication and independence possible for the deaf and hard of hearing. (Top and Middle: Canva, Bottom: clearcaptions.com)

Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that conversations have become difficult. The voices of family members sound distant. Phone calls become frustrating. Community events feel harder to navigate. Even routine appointments can suddenly become stressful.

For many people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or experiencing hearing loss, these challenges are part of everyday life. The good news is that no one has to face them alone.

At LIFTT, we believe that communication is independence.

Being able to communicate effectively opens doors to employment, healthcare, education, friendships, community involvement, and self-advocacy. When communication barriers are reduced, opportunities expand, and people gain greater control over their own lives.

Many people are surprised to learn that Centers for Independent Living serve individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or experiencing hearing loss. LIFTT’s Independent Living Specialists work alongside consumers to identify goals, remove barriers, and connect them with resources that support greater independence and full participation in community life.

LIFTT can assist individuals by providing information and referral services, helping people navigate available programs and resources, and connecting consumers with organizations that specialize in hearing-related services. We can help individuals explore captioned telephone programs, learn about hearing aid resources, locate American Sign Language classes, and identify community supports available to them.

Our staff also provides advocacy and independent living support. Whether someone needs assistance understanding available options, advocating for accessibility, or connecting with local and statewide resources, LIFTT is committed to helping individuals make informed choices and achieve their goals.

Hearing loss can occur gradually or suddenly. It can affect people of all ages, though it becomes increasingly common as we grow older. Many individuals delay seeking assistance because they believe hearing loss is simply part of aging. However, early intervention and access to resources can make a significant difference in maintaining social connections, confidence, and quality of life.

For those who communicate through American Sign Language, hearing technology, captioning services, or a combination of communication methods, independence begins with access. Access leads to participation. Participation leads to belonging.

At LIFTT, we are committed to creating communities where everyone can communicate, contribute, and thrive.

If you or someone you know is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or experiencing hearing loss, contact LIFTT today. Our Independent Living Specialists are ready to listen, help, and connect you with resources that can support your journey toward greater independence. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, understood, and included. For more information, please contact Pamela Ramirez, Independent Living Program Manager at (406) 259-5189 or pamelar@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 aging and disabled members of the community with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Letter from the Garden

The LIFTT Community Garden welcomes all to join in growing plants and growing community! (LIFTT Photo)

Dear Neighbor,

You may not know me yet.

You may have driven past me. You may have heard someone mention me. You may have seen a tomato plant growing quietly in the Montana sun and never realized that I am here.

But I know something about you.

I know that, like every seed planted in the soil, you carry possibilities within you.

This spring, my gates opened once again.

Nineteen people gathered for the Community Garden Kickoff. Some came to learn. Some came to plant. Some came to reconnect with friends. Some simply came because they were curious. Together, they shared ideas, questions, stories, and hopes for the season ahead.

Two gardeners planted their plots that very day. Others left carrying free tomato and pepper plants, gifts made possible through the generosity of our friends and supporters.

What happened may have looked like a gardening event.

But I know better.

Because gardens are never only about vegetables.

They are about patience.

They are about second chances.

They are about believing that something beautiful can emerge from a tiny seed buried in the darkness.

Every season, I witness remarkable things.

I watch strangers become friends.

I watch confidence grow alongside cucumbers and peppers.

I watch people discover that they are capable of more than they imagined.

I watch neighbors share knowledge, encouragement, and harvests.

And I watch barriers slowly give way to belonging.

At LIFTT’s ADA-accessible Community Garden, everyone is welcome.

Experienced gardeners.

First-time gardeners.

Young people.

Older adults.

People with disabilities.

People without disabilities.

People who know exactly what they are doing.

And people who simply want to learn.

Last year, more than one hundred participants helped transform this space into a living community. This year, we hope even more people will discover what can happen when we grow something together.

Along the way, we would like to express our gratitude.

Thank you to San Diego Seed Company, whose generous donation of seeds helped launch countless stories of growth, nourishment, and connection. Their gift continues to bear fruit far beyond what can be measured in pounds of produce.

Thank you also to Garrett Mills, Chair of LIFTT’s Board of Directors. Garrett has spent countless hours nurturing seedlings, preparing plants, teaching others, answering questions, and sharing his knowledge. But those who know Garrett understand that he grows more than gardens.

He grows confidence.

He grows community.

He grows opportunities for people to learn, belong, and thrive.

Like any good gardener, he understands that growth begins beneath the surface, often long before anyone else can see it.

As summer unfolds, I invite you to visit.

Come plant.

Come learn.

Come ask questions.

Come share stories.

Come discover that gardening is not only about what grows in the soil.

It is also about what grows within us.

I will be here all season.

Waiting patiently.

Growing quietly.

And saving a place for you.

Sincerely,

The LIFTT Community Garden

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 aging and disabled members of the community with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.