The Independent Living Center

10/22/2026

Your voice matters! Help shape the future of independent living in Missouri by completing the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) Input Survey.

Your feedback will help inform Missouri’s 2028–2030 State Plan for Independent Living, which guides priorities for services and resources that support people with disabilities in living independently and participating in their communities.

Whether you’re a person with a disability, family member, service provider, or community member, your perspective can help identify important needs and barriers related to transportation, accessible housing, peer support, and more.

At The Independent Living Center, we believe people with disabilities should have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Take a few minutes to share your input and help ensure those voices are heard across Missouri!

Complete the survey here:

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

10/21/2026

We’re proud to have been named Best of the Four States in the category of Home Care for the second year in a row, but did you know we're so much more than that?

At The Independent Living Center, we’re about helping people with disabilities live independently, stay connected, and be active in their communities. Our November calendar is full of opportunities to do just that!

From our support groups to our shopping trips and art classes at Spiva Center for the Arts, we offer opportunities to build connections, explore interests, and enjoy new experiences.

And, of course, we’re proud to provide quality in-home care that helps people maintain their independence and remain in the comfort of their own homes. Whether you choose Agency-Directed or Consumer-Directed services, we’re here to help you find the support that works best for you.

Take a look at our November Calendar of Events to see what’s coming up, and reach out to learn more about our programs and services. We’d love to connect with you!

10/19/2026

We’re doing something a little different for our November Veterans Group and inviting our veteran consumers to ride along with us in our wheelchair-accessible van as we participate in the Joplin Veterans Day Parade!

The parade will take place Saturday, November 7th, in downtown Joplin. We’ll meet at TILC at 8:00 AM before heading to the event.

Following the parade, we’ll go out for breakfast and enjoy some time together as we honor and celebrate those who have served our country. Please RSVP with Phyllis Collier-Craig by calling us at (417)659-8086.

We look forward to sharing this special experience with our TILC community!

10/16/2026

This week, we celebrated our incredible team of case managers and Independent Living Specialists in honor of National Case Management Week!

We’re grateful for all they do to support our consumers every day. From helping people navigate challenges and connect with resources to supporting their goals for greater independence, their work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping others live more independently. We appreciate all you do!

10/15/2026

Today, October 15th, we recognize White Cane Safety Day and Blind Americans Equality Day! It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or have low vision and recognize the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

At The Independent Living Center, we offer monthly meetings where individuals who are blind or have low vision can connect with others, share experiences, and find support.

- Missouri Council of the Blind (MCB) Affiliate Meeting: 10 AM on the first Thursday of each month.
- Blind and Low Vision Support Group: Meets immediately following the MCB meeting.

These meetings offer chances to build connections, share knowledge, and support one another in living independently. Interested in joining us or learning more? Contact The Independent Living Center at (417) 659-8086.

You can learn more about White Cane Safety Day and Blind Americans Equality Day at the link below:

https://amdisrights.org/event/white-cane-safety-day-2026

10/14/2026

At our October TBI Support Group, one member shared how his lifelong love of music has helped him navigate life after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A guitarist of 30 years, Ed brought along several guitars, amplifiers, and effects pedals for consumers to explore and enjoy. He also shared an encouraging message for others with a TBI who may be working to reconnect with hobbies and activities they once enjoyed.

At The Independent Living Center, we believe in the power of peer support, shared experiences, and finding new ways to enjoy the things that make life meaningful. Thank you, Ed, for sharing your experience and passion with our group!

Interested in learning more about our Peer Support Opportunities? Feel free to reach out to The Independent Living Center at (417) 659-8086. We’d be happy to answer your questions!

At our October 2026 TBI Support Group, Ed Kunce shared how his life...

10/14/2026

We want to thank the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce for helping us spread the word about our Trunk or Treat!

Join us for an evening of spooky fun the whole family can enjoy! Bring the kids out for candy, decorated trunks, hot dogs, snacks, and more. This year, we’re also adding something new: a walk-through haunted house for those brave enough to enter!

Thursday, October 29th | 5 PM – 7 PM
The Independent Living Center
2639 E. 34th St., Joplin, MO

Whether you're ready for a little fright or just want to enjoy some Halloween fun with the family, we’d love to see you there! It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about the services we offer to support people with disabilities in our community.

Mark your calendars, bring the family, and come celebrate Halloween with us!

The Independent Living Center Invites Families to Annual Trunk-or-Treat on October 29 Featuring New Walk-Through Haunted House October 14, 2026 Erin Slifka Community, Events, Nonprofit 0 The Independent Living Center (TILC) invites the community to its annual Trunk or Treat on October 29 from 5:00 t...

10/13/2026

We’re proud to be named Best of the Four States in Home Care for the second year in a row, thanks to the support of our community! And we want you to hear why, straight from our consumers.

We’re grateful for the kind words and positive feedback from the people we serve. Their experiences are what matter most, and we’re proud to support people with disabilities in remaining in their own homes and staying connected to their communities.

Thank you to our consumers for trusting The Independent Living Center and taking the time to share your experiences with us!

10/12/2026

Happy Monday!

We have some Halloween fun coming up at The Independent Living Center, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

First up, our Consumer Halloween Party on October 22nd at 11 AM! Come dressed to impress for our annual Costume Contest, and bring your appetite for our Staff Chili and Soup Cookoff. Our consumers will vote for the People’s Choice winner, so come ready to sample some delicious soups and chilis. If you need transportation, please RSVP by October 15th by calling (417) 659-8086.

Next, join us for our Community Trunk or Treat on October 29th! The whole community is invited to stop by for decorated trunks, hot dogs and chips, and plenty of candy.

And this year, we’re adding something extra spooky: a walk-through Haunted House! Are you brave enough to make it through? Come find out!

Mark your calendars, bring the family, and get ready for a frightfully fun October at TILC. We can’t wait to see you.

10/01/2026

It’s October, and we have some spooky fun planned at The Independent Living Center!

Join us for our Consumer Halloween Party on October 22nd for a Chili and Soup Cookoff, where our consumers will help choose the People’s Choice winner, plus our annual costume contest. Come dressed to impress!

Then, on October 29th, it’s time for our annual Trunk or Treat! Everyone is welcome, so bring the family and enjoy hot dogs, snacks, candy, and plenty of Halloween fun.

And new this year… a haunted house!

Think you’re brave enough to make it through? Come find out on the 29th.

We can’t wait to celebrate Halloween with you!