LIFTT was recently honored with an award for organizational leadership at the DPHHS Diabetes Professional Conference in Helena.
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) has been honored with the Organizational Leadership Award at the Montana Diabetes Program’s 28th Annual Diabetes Professional Conference in Helena. The Montana Diabetes Program, part of the Department of Public Health & Human Services, recognized LIFTT for its significant leadership, innovation, and service in diabetes care, education, and prevention. The award celebrates LIFTT’s holistic approach to improving health outcomes for Montanans living with diabetes, especially among individuals with disabilities and older adults in rural communities.
During the awards ceremony, presenters highlighted LIFTT’s creative and community-driven initiatives, including:
- Advocating for an accessible bus stop near its Billings office to improve mobility for individuals managing chronic conditions.
- Launching an inclusive community garden, which promotes nutritional health, education, and social connection through hands-on learning.
- Developing an ADA-accessible transportation system to enhance access to healthcare, wellness programs, and community services across eastern Montana.
“This award is a reflection of the hard work, passion, and dedication of everyone at LIFTT,” said Carlos Ramalho, LIFTT’s Executive Director. “Each of our staff, volunteers, and partners plays a role in making this recognition possible. Together, we’re building healthier, more inclusive communities, one step, one ride, and one garden bed at a time.”
The Organizational Leadership Award is presented annually to a team, group, or organization that demonstrates outstanding leadership and innovation in diabetes prevention and management. This year’s recognition underscores LIFTT’s ongoing commitment to addressing the intersection of disability, transportation, nutrition, and chronic disease prevention through accessible, community-based solutions.
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 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.
Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.
Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.