About Centers for Independent Living

Welcome to SICIL

SICIL (pronounced “SICK-uhl”) is a center for independent living that provides nonresidential service.

SICIL – Mission

Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living (SICIL) is a client-controlled, community based, cross-disability, non-residential, private non-profit organization that promote and practice the independent living philosophy. This is a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access and individual and system advocacy. SICIL works to maximize the leadership potentials, empowerment, independence and productivity of all involved with disabilities and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of Hoosier society.

Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living (SICIL) is a non-profit agency serving people with disabilities of all ages. We serve eight counties in Southern Indiana: Bartholomew, Brown, Crawford, Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, and Washington. We provide five free core services funded by state and federal sources: advocacy, independent living skills, information and referral, peer support, and transition services.
SICIL advocates for systemic change to improve laws and infrastructure for people with disabilities and helps individuals build advocacy skills. We help people develop independent living skills through classes and one-on-one support. We provide peer support and groups. We offer transition services for those entering post-secondary life and those moving from institutions such as nursing homes.
We connect individuals with disabilities to resources that help them remain in their homes and communities.
A sampling of the ways SICIL provides support and services is as follows: We assist with applications for Social Security and SNAP, home modifications through programs such as USDA, and support with the school system (IEPs). SICIL uses its funds and partners with other organizations to provide items needed to maintain independent living, such as ramps. We are subgrantees of the Older Independent Blind Program, which helps provide assistive technology to visually impaired adults.
SICIL offers a fee-for-service exercise class at the center twice a week, focusing on balance, strength, and endurance for $5 per class* or $20 per month*. Improving these areas helps prevent falls, which can reduce independence and quality of life.
Our advocates work with you to find the resources you need and help you achieve your goals. If you or someone you know has a disability and needs assistance, please call us.
*Pricing current as of January 2026.

What Do We Do?

EMPOWER all people living with disabilities regardless of age to find resources/services to live independently in the community.

Two Important Definitions

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Consumer

The term consumer grew out of the independent living movement and signifies someone who selects services and has control over them.

It is preferred to words like patient or client. These terms imply that a person with a disability is someone who is sick or broken and needs to be fixed or managed. This is the "Medical Model" and it provides very little control for the individual and choices for their lives.

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Consumer Control

Consumer control is the heart of independent living. It stresses the consumer's right to decide his or her life direction and to make all decisions related to that choice. A project or organization that is consumer controlled is directed, managed, and staffed to a large degree by qualified persons living with a disability.

Here is How It Works

Eligibility for services – Any person who declares that they have a significant disability can access our services and programs regardless of disability, race, creed, nationality, age or income. We don’t require documentation or proof.

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INFORMATION & REFERRAL

Step 1 -

We prefer, when possible, to speak directly to the individual requesting or needing services. It is their voice and choices.

Someone in our office will ask some questions about contact information, benefits, income, disability and what you what type of assistance is needed.

This is then entered into our confidential database program and assigned to an Independent Living Advocate.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING PLAN

Step 2 -

The Independent Living Advocate will contact you to set up a meeting at the office, your home, or another location as agreed.

During this meeting an Independent Living Plan (ILP) will be completed. Goal setting is a large part of this process. The goals are set by you for your independence in the community.

SICIL will assist you in meeting these goals, offer a referral / resources to contact other organizations/providers. We will also assist in advocating with these organizations with you.

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CONSUMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

Step 3 -

Upon completion of goals the consumer will have the opportunity to evaluate the quality of services received from SICIL.

You will be contacted by phone and asked about 10 quick questions. Your responses help us in planning new programs or improvements in our program.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Charlie Brown, President

Jill Kluedner, Secretary

Paul Meyer

Rita Kersh, Vice President

Greg Baker

Shellie Pritchett

Cindy Brooking, Treasurer

Mark Jessie

Wanda Wever

Teresa Reynolds
Executive Director

Teresa identifies as a person with a disability. She oversees operations for Southern Indiana Independent Living Center, Living Well Home Care, Southern Indiana Adult Guardianship (Volunteer Advocates for Senior and Incapacitated Adults) and The Solutions Center Agency as a whole.

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Anna Thompson Jones

SICIL Program Director

Anna Thompson Jones has worked for SICIL as program director since 2022 and in human services at The Solutions Center since 2008. She was the training director for several years, training home care field staff, including orientation, yearly updates, and Red Cross CPR, and has facilitated community awareness workshops on multiple subjects. Anna is a Purdue University Global graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and is finishing her Master of Science in Human Services in 2025. Anna believes in the independent living philosophy, is a dedicated advocate, and is a volunteer Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association through the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement. She married her lifelong friend, Bruce, in 2022, and they live in Southern Indiana with their two boys, Archie/Corgi and Marshall/German Shepherd. She is a proud wife, mother, stepmother, and nana to her grands.

INDEPENDENT LIVING ADVOCATES

Carly Dixon

Director's Assistant

Carly does intake and answers the phone with a smile, knowing the person on the other end will feel her joy. She enjoys making consumers’ lives easier by sharing the resources available in SICIL’s eight-county area. Carly is experienced in working with youth with disabilities and thrives at the school events SICIL attends. She is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and ensures everyone around her feels loved and accepted.

Carly is a helpful team member who assists her co-workers with their training needs, database problems, and data entry. She enjoys planting a flower bed for the bees in the Mitchell Inclusion Garden each year. She loves assisting with SICIL Studio 1490 wellness classes, where the attendees bring her so much joy!

Carly loves Jesus, cats, and nature. Her favorite quote is: “It’s okay if all you did today was survive.”

Jackie Crane

Independent Living Advocate

jackie@sicilindiana.org

Jackie has lived in Lawrence County for over 34 years. She explored and fell in love with the community, its available activities, and outreach programs. Jackie developed an enthusiasm for health and a love for people as she watched her parents volunteer and build up others to improve their lives by making life changes and healthy choices. She has 20 years of experience working to improve the lives of others by assisting them in their life-changing decisions, advocating for their rights, and giving them the tools and resources they need to live independently. Helping others is her passion, and she feels blessed to be able to make it her career.

Alyssa Cogwell

Independent Living Advocate

I am excited to be able to give back to the community I grew up in and now raising my boys in. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and a background in working for my local school system in various classrooms, my favorite being our special education classrooms.
I assist consumers of all ages by finding the resources to live independently in the community.

What is a CIL?

Centers for Independent Living (CIL) are …

consumer-controlled, cross-disability, nonresidential, private, nonprofit agencies that are designed and operated within local communities by individuals with disabilities. They promote the independent living philosophy to empower all people with disabilities.

Each center is unique but operate under the same five core services.

Advocacy

An Independent Living Advocate works closely with the consumers to assist the consumer in self-advocacy.

Peer Support

Peer Support through peer-to-peer connections.

Information & Referral

Through a network of resources, Information and Referral services offer individuals information on a wide range of topics and resources to assist them with their independence.

Independent Living Skills Training

Supporting individuals with disabilities by providing or finding training in daily living skills to support their independence.

Transition Services

Institutional transition – Assist individuals with leaving a facility such as a nursing/rehabilitation facility, jail, or shelter and returning to the community.Youth transition is for individuals ages 14 – 24 living with disabilities transitioning to post-high school and/or the workforce.

CILs assist with all core services, housing, benefits, etc.

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