Disability · Empowerment · Inclusion

Our center is open but at this time you must make an appointment with the staff person you would like to see. Call 914.682.3926 or 914.259.8036 (VP) to schedule an appointment at WILC.

Masks are required when you come to the office, protecting both yourself and our staff.

We are not open to the public for drop-ins until further notice.

For more information call or email your staff contact!

Not sure where to start? Explore our website, get information on the program pages, fill out an intake form, and we will get back in touch with you. Each program page also has contact information you can use to directly contact the program manager.

For general information email contact@putnamils.org or contact@wilc.org

Phone:
WILC
914-682-3926 (Voice)
914-259-8036 (Video Phone)

PILS
845-228-7457 (Voice)
914-259-8036 (Video Phone)

 

WILC is Hiring! Learn More & Apply to our open positions via Indeed:
Bilingual Education and Outreach Specialist – Brewster, NY 10509 – Indeed.com

 

Passing of Joe Bravo

It is with sad and broken hearts that we share with you the news of Westchester Independent Living Center’s founder, Joe Bravo, passing away on March 4th after a brief period of illness.

Since establishing WILC in 1981, Joe poured his heart and soul into his advocacy for independent living for people with disabilities, empowering them to lead self-directed lives in their communities.  We will never truly know the countless lives he has touched through his advocacy, guidance, and mentorship, all done without seeking any glory or recognition for himself.

Joe was one in a million and truly irreplaceable. WILC will honor his memory by continuing his work and following the path he set out for us. We will miss him deeply.

 

 

 

Medicaid Members can receive assistance connecting to social needs services. Click here to learn more. 

 

Grant Announcement

WILC has been awarded a grant from the Phelps Healthcare Foundation to continue and expand our Phelps Post-Rehabilitation Transition Program (PPRTP)

This program helps patients transitioning out of Phelps Hospital by providing the support they need to regain independence. Since 2022, we’ve worked with 132 individuals, bridging the critical gap between hospital discharge and independent living. Thanks to this grant, we’ll expand our Peer Mentor Program, strengthen psychiatric transition services, and add a dedicated Transition Specialist to assist even more people!

 

Westchester Independent Living Center (“WILC”) v. State University of New York, Purchase College
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

 

We try to make our website as accessible as possible.  Please let us know if you have any difficulty accessing our website information and resources by clicking here.

Meet Michele Bianchi, Westchester Independent Living Service’s Deaf Advocate

Michele is WILC’s Deaf Advocate. She had been with WILC for over 14 years providing Sign Language Interpretation and advocating for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Michele is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and grew up within the Deaf Community. Both of her parents are profoundly deaf so her first method of communication was American Sign Language (ASL). At the early age of two, she was and still is her parents’ voice and ears.

Michele is also a Certified Benefits Practitioner, certified by Cornell University’s Yang Tan Institute and has been providing Comprehensive Benefits Assessments for over 7 years, specializing in Social Security’s Work Incentives. Her work as an advocate for the Deaf includes providing information and referrals to help connect consumers to community resources, assist consumers in obtaining governmental benefits, when needed and advocacy. She utilizes Sorenson Video Phone to communicate with the Deaf and is able to interpret letters/correspondences, utilizing ASL, ESL and Pigeon.

In addition, Michele assists individuals referred by the White Plains Police Department and PACE Women’s Justice Center who experience Domestic Violence (some who are also Deaf), providing them same. Pre-COVID, quarterly Deaf Social Groups were held, giving the Deaf population an opportunity to socialize and be of support one to another. When it is safe, the Deaf Social Groups will resume.

To learn more about deaf services provided through Westchester Independent Living Center, click HERE.