Home > About Us > Meet the Board > Letter to the Community
In my three years as a member of the board, and now as board chair, at Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve.
When originally asked to serve on the Mountain State Centers for Independent Living board, I did not hesitate. In my many years working with individuals with disabilities, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living has been a constant presence providing services for people with disabilities and bringing awareness to the needs of people with disabilities in Huntington and throughout the state.
As both an advocate and a human resources director, I continue to support the work of Mountain State Centers for Independent Living. My past experience and knowledge has been helpful to me in my role as a board member, specifically as it relates to the Employment Services Division. My experience with a non-profit agency that had an Employment Services Division has helped me assist Mountain State Centers for Independent Living as they developed their Employment Services Division.
I look forward to supporting Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, its programs, and staff in my role as board chair.
For anyone who is a person with a disability in West Virginia, or works with people who are, I strongly recommend the services of Mountain State Centers for Independent Living as a referral source and a resource. Whether it was skills classes, advocacy, peer support or information and referral, the staff is always willing to go the extra mile to help someone be more independent.
Mountain State Centers for Independent Living is active in the community and, in my opinion, one of the best kept secrets in the community. Behind the scenes the staff can be found offering services, advocacy support, training, transportation, and individual counseling to people in the disability community. Staff members can also be found on committees locally and around the state that work to improve the lives of people with disabilities. As a board member I respect their dedication to Mountain State Centers for Independent Living. They also help on fund raising projects and pitch in where needed in the daily activities of the Centers.
As a volunteer at Mountain State Centers for Independent Living you will help to improve the lives of people with disabilities, help them to become independent, productive, and often tax-paying members of the community. We are currently recruiting members who can bring their business, marketing, finance or human resources experience to the table. Volunteers are always welcome in a variety of other capacities from reading to the blind, providing administrative support in any Mountain State Centers for Independent Living office, volunteering at events such as the annual Walk for Independence and many other opportunities.
If you are interested in becoming a board member, please send me an email: email Mary Stratton.
If you are interested in volunteering in the office or for events, email the Huntington office, or contact the center nearest you.
Through greater community awareness and by working together we can continue to make a difference in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities.
