Agency Details:

To provide the catalyst for community change and life altering experiences and thereby empower individuals with significant disabilities, throughout Yuma and La Paz Counties:

• To function independently;
• To live safely, with dignity; and,
• To enjoy full access to one's communities.

Description:
S.M.I.L.E. - is an acronym for Services Maximizing Independent Living and Empowerment an Independent Living Center, but the name says and means a great deal more.




History:
Each year a growing number of Yuma County residents, both year-round and winter visitors, come to S.M.I.L.E. seeking help for oneself, a friend or a loved one. In some way they are adjusting to life and seeking help regarding a significant disability. A few have grown up learning to overcome physical and attitudinal barriers yet the majority who come to S.M.I.L.E. share stories of life following a major accident, illness, or gradual onset of disability associated with the natural aging process.

It was early 1998 when a small group of local activists came together to address solutions to the problems they faced on a day-to-day basis. With help form the Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council the founding Board members applied to the federal government and soon received S.M.I.L.E. first establishment grant. Six years later, many of these same people are here to share in the celebration of the most recent achievements.



Contact people:


Laura Duval, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Bert Rios, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Adriana Ponce, Home Mod Coordinator, IL Specialist, (phone), (email)


Office fax number: (928) 329-6715

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Address:


1929 S. Arizona Ave. Ste 12 Yuma, AZ 85364 (See a map)


Web Site: None specified

Last updated on March 12, 2010