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Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Independence, Inc., a Resource Center for Independent Living

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Minot, ND
Independence, Inc., a Resource Center for Independent Living

To advocate for the freedom of choice for individuals with disabilities to live independently through the removal of all barriers.

09/16/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗚𝗢 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦!

There was a time in North Dakota when people with disabilities were removed from their homes and communities and placed in institutions like Grafton State School and San Haven.

People with disabilities and their families fought for something better: the right to live, choose, and belong in their own communities.

Today, advocates are once again raising concerns about policies that could weaken home and community-based services.

We know where institutionalization leads.

At Independence, Inc., we believe people with disabilities belong in their communities, directing their own lives.

We have come too far to go backwards. 💚

09/14/2026

“𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬?”

With support from Independence, Inc., Steve learned how to worry less and take greater control of his finances.

Steve loves a good rummage sale.

He enjoys finding old furniture to tinker with and adding to his large collection of figurines and ornaments. How many does he have?

“I really don’t know,” Steve said with a laugh. “I just saw stuff that I liked and kept adding to it.”

These days, Steve pauses before bringing home his latest find.

“When I go to rummage sales now, I ask myself, ‘Do I really need this?’” he said. “It’s okay to want something, just everything in moderation. Essentials are covered first.”

That simple question represents a much bigger change for Steve.

Steve has called Bottineau home since 1978. Now 70 and retired, he lives on a fixed income. When his rent increased and he was also trying to manage a medical bill, financial stress began to weigh heavily on him.

“I just couldn’t stop worrying about it,” he said.

Steve connected with Independence, Inc. and began working with an Independent Living Advocate on budgeting, prioritizing expenses, and addressing his medical bill. He started using a shopping list and learned how to better separate his needs from his wants.

One of Steve’s biggest breakthroughs came when he realized that the timing of his rent payment was creating a problem. He spoke with his landlord and worked with his bank to move the payment to the beginning of the month, closer to when he receives his Social Security income.

“Now I don’t run out of money,” Steve said.

He also worked directly with his longtime credit union to refinance his pickup and arrange a payment schedule that better fit his income. He made progress on his medical bill sooner than expected, which he described as “a weight off my shoulders.”

The changes have also helped Steve prepare for unexpected expenses. When both his television and vacuum stopped working, he was able to figure out how to replace them while staying on track financially.

When asked what accomplishment makes him the proudest, Steve’s answer was simple.

“Getting my rent and pickup taken care of.”

Steve’s success is about more than paying bills. He has learned how to recognize a problem, ask questions, and take an active role in finding a solution.

The difference is something he can feel.

“A lot better,” Steve said. “I feel a lot better.”

Today, Steve would not hesitate to recommend Independence, Inc. to someone else.

“I’d tell them to go see you guys,” he said. “I have your phone number, and I’d give it to them right away. Go to Independence, Inc. They are very helpful.”

09/10/2026

☕👮𝙉𝙤 𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖. 𝙉𝙤 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

We’re excited to welcome the Minot Police Department to Independence, Inc. for 𝘾𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙥!

This is your chance to sit down over a cup of coffee, ask questions, share ideas, get to know the officers who serve our community, and simply have a conversation in a relaxed setting.

And this isn’t just for Independence, Inc. consumers. Everyone in the community is welcome! 💚

📅 Friday, September 18
☕ 10 AM–12 PM
📍 Independence, Inc. | 315 3rd Ave SW

Grab a cup, pull up a chair, and join the conversation. ☕💚

09/09/2026

💚 This Thursday, we’re bringing another community resource right to you!

Every Thursday from 9–11 AM, our doors are open for Open Office Hours. No appointment needed. Just stop in, ask questions, learn about resources, or connect with someone who can help you take the next step toward greater independence.

And this week, we’re adding something extra!

HireQuest Direct Dakotas will be joining us in the Independence, Inc. lobby to talk about available jobs, employment opportunities, and how they can help connect job seekers with local employers. 💼

Whether you’re looking for work, exploring your options, or just want to see what’s available, stop by and have a conversation.

📅 Thursday
⏰ 9–11 AM
📍 Independence, Inc.

Because sometimes independence starts with simply knowing what resources and opportunities are available to you. 💚

09/08/2026

💚 𝙋𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚.

Independence, Inc. is a peer-led organization. In fact, more than half of our staff and Board of Directors are people with disabilities. That lived experience helps shape how we serve, advocate, connect, and lead.

Peer Support brings that philosophy to life by creating opportunities for people with disabilities to connect, share experiences, build relationships, and learn from one another.

Check out our latest service video to see what Peer Support looks like at Independence, Inc. 💚

📅 Want to join us? Our Peer Support Group meets every other Wednesday at 3 PM. We'd love to have you!

📞 Learn more: 701-839-4724

👉 Watch our full service video series: https://www.independencecil.org/our-services-videos

09/07/2026

Labor Day is about more than a long weekend. It is a day to recognize the contributions workers have made to our country and the role that work plays in our lives and communities.

At Independence, Inc., we believe people with disabilities belong in that conversation.

We believe employment should be the first and preferred outcome for people with disabilities. A job is more than a paycheck. Employment creates economic opportunity, builds relationships, connects people to their communities, and provides opportunities that social programs simply cannot replace.

North Dakota has one of the highest employment rates for people with disabilities in the country. We are proud of that. But we also know the employment rate for people with disabilities is still unacceptably low.

There is more work to do.

We will continue working to make sure people with disabilities have the opportunity to work and that North Dakota employers recognize people with disabilities as an important part of the solution to our state's workforce needs.
This Labor Day, we celebrate all workers and the contributions they make every day.

Independence, Inc. will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

09/05/2026

A little creativity and a few positive words can go a long way! 💙

Join us for our next Peer Support gathering at Oak Park. We’ll spend the afternoon painting rocks with encouraging words and positive messages while connecting and enjoying time together.

📅 Wednesday, September 9
⏰ 3:00 PM
📍 Oak Park
1300 4th Ave. NW, Minot, ND 58703

This event is open to anyone with a disability, ages 18 and older. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please call our office to request it in advance.

We hope you’ll join us!

09/04/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦!📚

This week, Mo and Tia are back in area high schools, working with students with disabilities to build real-world skills for life after graduation through our BEYOND program.

From communication and self-advocacy to employment and independent living, it’s all about building skills, confidence, and preparing for what comes next.

Here’s to a great school year! 💚🎒

09/03/2026

“𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏.”

Those words capture the strength and determination of one woman who came to Independence, Inc. during a time when her life felt completely out of control.

She had always been independent. Growing up, she faced difficult circumstances that required her to become strong and resilient at a young age. As an adult, she enjoyed traveling and experiencing new places. But when she arrived in Minot to be closer to her daughter, her life did not unfold as she had hoped.

“𝑴𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔,” she said. “𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

She wanted to feel in control of her life again, but even knowing where to begin felt difficult. Managing appointments, finances, transportation, relationships, and everyday responsibilities had become overwhelming. Most of all, she needed help learning how to do things independently again.

That support came through Independence, Inc., where she connected with Peer Support Specialist Shawna.

“𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔,” she said. “𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍.”

The connection was immediate. She felt comfortable asking for help from the very beginning and quickly recognized that her Peer Support Specialist genuinely cared about her well-being.

“𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅.”

Through Peer Support Services, she learned how to break overwhelming situations into manageable steps and determine what needed her attention first. She also received support through HCBS and TDP services and assistance navigating community resources, including the DMV, Social Security, medical care, and Minot’s public bus system.

“𝑷𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆,” she said. “𝑰𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.”

Little by little, the parts of life that once felt unmanageable began to fall into place. Today, she feels more comfortable attending appointments, managing her finances, using the bus, and handling responsibilities on her own. She has also learned to establish healthier boundaries, especially in relationships that were affecting her happiness and peace.

“𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰’𝒎 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆,” she said. “𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆. 𝑰 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆, 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆.”

Her growing confidence is now carrying her into the next chapter of her life. She made the difficult decision to leave Minot and move closer to her sister, recognizing that her happiness mattered more than holding on to unhealthy relationships.

The journey begins with a major step. She is boarding a plane and flying to her sister on her own.

“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓,” she said. “𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝑷𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝑰’𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

Her next goal is to move into an apartment of her own. It is more than a place to live. It represents the stability, confidence, and independence she has worked so hard to rebuild.

When asked what Independence, Inc. means to her, her answer was simple:

“𝑨 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆.”

Now, she believes in herself, too.

For anyone who needs support but feels unsure about reaching out, she has a message:

“𝑫𝒐 𝒊𝒕. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.”

09/02/2026

As we prepare to launch our next round of the Community Leadership Academy, we thought it was important to talk about one of our core values as a Center for Independent Living: why we reject tokenism and believe in real engagement by people with lived experience in the communities where they live, work, and play.

Tokenism happens when someone is included mainly to create the appearance of inclusion, without being given meaningful influence, authority, or a real voice in decisions. That is the opposite of Independent Living and the values that guide our work.

We believe people with disabilities bring unique experiences, perspectives, and ideas to the table. When those voices are genuinely part of the community conversation, our communities are stronger, our decisions are better, and real change becomes possible.

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬.

Our 6-Week Community Leadership Academy is for people with disabilities who want to build confidence, strengthen their voice, and learn how they can have a say in the decisions being made in their communities.

You’ll learn practical leadership skills and how to get involved with boards, committees, commissions, and community organizations.

📅 Tuesdays beginning September 15
🕑 2–4 PM
📍 Independence, Inc.

Think this could be you? Apply!

And if you know someone else who would be perfect, encourage them to apply!

👇 Application link in the comments.

Address

315 3rd Avenue SW
Minot, ND
58701

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17018394724

Website

http://www.independencecil.org/

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