Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT), a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving South Central and Eastern Montana, is pleased to announce it has received generous community support from Stockman Bank in furtherance of LIFTT’s mission to promote independence, accessibility, and full community participation for aging adults and individuals with disabilities living in rural Montana.
This support will directly strengthen LIFTT’s developing ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program, RideWell, which is being created to address one of the most persistent barriers to independence in Eastern Montana: reliable transportation.
In rural communities, access to transportation is not simply a convenience. It is an indispensable service. Without it, individuals may be unable to attend medical appointments, access pharmacies, shop for groceries, maintain employment, or participate fully in their communities. RideWell is being developed to ensure that aging adults, people with disabilities, and low-income residents have safe, reliable, and accessible transportation options, even across long distances.
RideWell is being developed to address transportation barriers that limit independence and opportunity across South Central and Eastern Montana. Its vision is to be a driving force in promoting independence and eliminating barriers for aging and disabled individuals through equitable transportation in rural Montana. Its mission is to bridge the transportation gap, including in Native American reservation communities, by providing reliable, ADA-compliant transportation that supports access to education, healthcare, employment, and community engagement, ensuring the right to mobility and inclusion for aging and disabled individuals.
“We are sincerely grateful to Stockman Bank for standing with LIFTT and for supporting RideWell at a critical time in the program’s development,” said Tina Carter, Transportation Coordinator of LIFTT’s RideWell ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program. “This kind of partnership is how rural communities build lasting solutions. Stockman Bank understands that transportation supports health, independence, and stability. Their support helps bring RideWell closer to reality.”
Stockman Bank is Montana’s largest family-owned community bank, with full-service locations across the state. Founded in 1953, Stockman remains uniquely focused on Montana and provides comprehensive banking products and services, along with state-of-the-art online and mobile banking, wealth management, and insurance services.
“Stockman Bank believes in supporting the communities we serve and investing in organizations that improve the quality of life for Montanans,” said Alisha Sackman, Glendive Branch Manager for Stockman Bank.
“LIFTT’s work reflects the values that strengthen our communities: independence, dignity, and the belief that every person should have access to the resources they need to live fully. We are proud to support the RideWell program and the impact it will have across Eastern Montana.”
LIFTT’s RideWell program will provide accessible transportation options for individuals who often have no alternative means of travel. Many rural residents must travel long distances for specialty healthcare, and in some areas, transportation gaps create real risks to safety and well-being. With RideWell, LIFTT is working to ensure that people in rural Montana are not isolated from essential services simply because of geography or disability. This contribution from Stockman Bank reflects a shared belief that communities thrive when people are supported not only in moments of crisis, but also through long-term, practical investments that strengthen independence and opportunity.
About Stockman Bank
Stockman Bank is Montana’s largest, family-owned community bank, with convenient full-service locations across the state. Founded in 1953,
Stockman remains uniquely focused on Montana, offering comprehensive banking products and services, along with state-of-the-art online and mobile banking, wealth management, and insurance services. Stockman believes in supporting and giving back to the communities it serves and in investing in organizations that help preserve and improve Montana’s unique lifestyle. For more information, please visit
stockmanbank.com
