Independence, Inc., a Resource Center for Independent Living

What can you make with a can of chicken? 🍽️

Quite a lot, actually.

Last week, Independence, Inc. partnered with Community Action Partnership - Minot Region (CAP) to host Pantry to Plate in our Building Dreams Community Kitchen. Together, we showed participants how a few simple pantry staples can become delicious, budget-friendly meals for themselves and their families.

Using canned chicken as our featured ingredient, participants learned how to make:
🍲 Chicken Noodle Soup
🍝 Chicken Alfredo
🌮 Chicken & Rice Taco Bowls

But Pantry to Plate is about more than cooking.

It's about building confidence in the kitchen, learning practical skills, stretching a grocery budget, and helping people live more independently.

A special thank you to Community Action Partnership for not only providing the ingredients for the demonstration, but also sending each participant home with everything they needed to recreate the meals on their own. That kind of partnership turns a one-day class into something that can make a lasting impact.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us and to the community partners who help make opportunities like this possible.

Because independence starts with the skills, knowledge, and support to succeed.

𝙏𝙊𝘿𝘼𝙔!! We still have spots available. Register by calling 701-839-4724 or by using this link: https://form.jotform.com/261456887225164

At Independence, Inc., we help people with disabilities move beyond low expectations and dependency to live independently and pursue their goals. Sometimes, though, our building and grounds need a little help too!

A huge thank you to the volunteers from City Serve ND who spent time helping us with projects around our facility yesterday. Their hard work and willingness to serve made a real difference.

City Serve ND connects volunteers with organizations and projects that strengthen communities across North Dakota. We are grateful they chose to invest their time and energy in Independence, Inc.

Community support like this helps us stay focused on what matters most, empowering people with disabilities to live independently.

Thank you, City Serve ND! 💙

🗳️ 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭.

At Independence, Inc., we believe informed voters build stronger communities. That's why we're sharing information to help you better understand what's on your ballot before Election Day.

The graphic below provides a simple overview of what a YES vote and a NO vote mean. For those who would like more detailed information, we've also included a link to the official voter guide PDF in the comments.

No matter how you choose to vote, we encourage everyone to take the time to learn about the issues, make an informed decision, and make your voice heard.

💚 Your voice matters.
🗳️ Your vote matters.

“𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞.”

That’s how Jack Burris explains the way he chooses to live his life today.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Jack grew up on a 38,000-acre farm alongside 9 brothers and 5 sisters. Over the years, life took him all over the world through his service in Marine Special Forces during the Vietnam War. He spent eight years serving his country and returned home carrying both memories and injuries from war, including spinal cord damage, COPD, and titanium knees.

About six years ago, Jack moved to Minot after his daughter encouraged him to come north. But over time, life became increasingly lonely. Living alone in a rundown trailer after family had moved away, Jack spent most of his days isolated.

“Life was pretty boring before Independence, Inc.,” he shared. “I was so lonely. I got tired of TV.”

Everything began to change after Jack connected with Northland PACE, who referred him to Independence, Inc. for support finding safer, more stable housing.

With help through the TDP program, Jack was able to move into an apartment where he was finally surrounded by people again instead of isolation. Staff from Independence, Inc. helped coordinate furniture, transportation, and the transition into his new home.

“Riley helped me get furniture. She’s a doll baby,” Jack said with a smile. “They helped me move, and they were really good movers too. No dents in the furniture.”

While the move itself was important, the biggest change for Jack wasn’t just the apartment. It was the friendships.

“My quality of life is better now,” he said. “Before, nobody came over. Now I have friendship.”

Today, many of the people Jack knows live nearby, giving him something he had been missing for a long time: connection. Instead of sitting alone, he now spends time socializing, joking, and sharing stories with others.

And Jack has plenty of stories to tell.

One of his favorite topics is his to***co pipe collection, which includes around 1,200 pipes. The collection started when he was young, inspired by his grandfather from Naples, Italy, who made pipes for a living.

“My grandfather was everything to me,” Jack shared.

He also proudly talks about his family, including his four boys and two sets of identical twin girls. During the interview, he laughed while telling a story about catching his daughters switching places during a date while dressed identically.

Humor comes naturally to Jack, even after everything he has been through.

“Live and let live,” he said. “I’ve lived a good life. When the good Lord takes me, I’ll hug him and thank him for everything he’s done for me.”

When asked what he would tell others who may be struggling, Jack didn’t hesitate.

“You got to go to them because they are very knowledgeable about what they do, and if you listen to them, they will help you out.”

For Jack, having support made all the difference.

“I’m really glad and blessed that I have them,” he said. “It makes so much of a difference.”

Today, Jack says he has no complaints.

Instead, he has friendship, laughter, community, and a place that finally feels like home.

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔? 👀☀️

Youth with disabilities ages 14–21, this one’s for 𝗬𝗢𝗨!

Youth Camp at Independence, Inc. is all about trying new things, connecting with others, and having fun in a welcoming and supportive environment, at no cost to attendees.

Join us for six weeks of:
🎮 Games
🍳 Cooking
🪵 Woodworking
🎨 Arts & Crafts
🚗 Car Maintenance
…and SO much more!

📅 Tuesdays | June 30 – Aug 4
⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Independence, Inc.

Spots are limited, so sign up soon!

👉 Scan the QR code, call us at 701-839-4724, or use the link in the comments to register.

🎨 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙗𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙!🎨

Our last Paint & Connect Peer Support group filled up FAST, and for good reason. 💚

We’re excited to once again partner with the Taube Museum of Art to bring another free painting class to Independence, Inc. as part of their accessibility-focused community programming.

These classes are about so much more than painting. They create space for connection, creativity, conversation, confidence, and community. We’re so grateful to The Taube for continuing to help make meaningful and accessible opportunities like this available for the people we serve.

📅 Wednesday, June 3
⏰ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
⚠️ Please note the earlier start time. This Peer Support group begins at 2 PM instead of our usual 3 PM.
📍 Independence, Inc.

Open to anyone 18+ with a disability.

Spots are limited and these classes tend to fill quickly, so be sure to sign up soon!

👉https://form.jotform.com/261456887225164

If you weren’t able to make it to last week’s Candidate Forum, here’s another great opportunity to learn more about the people running for local office and the issues impacting our community. 💚

Understanding your candidates and staying informed before Election Day matters. Local elections directly impact housing, transportation, accessibility, public safety, city services, and so many of the resources our community depends on every day.

We encourage our consumers, families, advocates, and community members to attend, ask questions, listen, and stay engaged in the conversation about Minot’s future.

Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. And your vote matters. 🗳️

👉 See event details in the graphic below.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸

Our office will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of the holiday.

We wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. 💚

As another school year comes to a close, we want to give a huge shoutout to the students, staff, and school partners we’ve had the opportunity to work alongside this year. 💚

Youth programming like this is only possible because of community support. If you believe in helping young people build confidence, independence, and real-world life skills, we hope you’ll consider supporting our mission.

👉 Donate here: https://givebutter.com/wXu87r

Mo, our Youth Transition Specialist, and Tia, our Independent Living Specialist, spend time in schools helping students build skills, confidence, and independence for life beyond the classroom.

We’re proud to walk alongside students as they prepare for what comes next. Keep an eye out for upcoming summer youth opportunities 👀☀️

Learn more about our youth programs:
👉 https://www.independencecil.org/youthservices

Thank you for a great year, and have a safe and fun summer ☀️