Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living

12/03/2025

2025-2026 LIHEAP SEASON IS OPEN!

LIHEAP can help you keep your home warm and safe during the coldest seasons. From December 3, 2025, to April 10, 2026, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill. You can receive from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type.

You can apply for LIHEAP online, by mail, or in person at your local county assistance office.

Apply for LIHEAP Online HERE � https://www.compass.dhs.pa.gov/home/ #/

Download a paper application HERE �https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dhs/documents/services/assistance/documents/heating-assistance_liheap/hsea-0001.pdf

If you have questions or need help accessing or filling out an application, GIVE US A CALL!

570.327.9070

12/03/2025

🌍 Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025!

Today, December 3, we celebrate the achievements, contributions, and leadership of people with disabilities, while recommitting to advancing disability rights, inclusion, and accessibility in every part of our communities.

This year’s theme — “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress” — reminds us that true progress is only possible when everyone can participate fully and equally.

✨ Why This Day Matters
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities and raises awareness about the barriers many still face in accessing employment, healthcare, transportation, housing, and community life.

➡️ 🔎 Key Focus Areas for 2025:

✅ Accessibility in all environments

✅ Equal opportunities in education, employment, and community life

✅ Strengthening health and social protection systems

✅ Removing barriers to full participation and leadership

✅ Advancing disability-inclusive policy and innovation

At Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living, we remain committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in leading self-directed, independent lives and advocating for inclusive communities where everyone belongs.

💜 Let’s continue working together toward a more accessible, equitable, and empowered future!

11/27/2025

🧡🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Roads to Freedom and Disability Empowerment Center!

Today, we’re especially grateful for our consumers, partners, staff, volunteers, and community members who make our mission possible every single day.

Thank you for supporting independence, inclusion, and choice and for all you do to help create a more accessible and inclusive world.

Wishing everyone a safe, warm, and joyful holiday! 🦃✨

Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living
Disability Empowerment Center

11/26/2025

🦃Just a little reminder that we’ll be CLOSED for Thanksgiving and Friday. Enjoy the holiday, and we’ll see you Monday!

11/26/2025

Hi there, Freedom Fighters and Justice Seekers—

’Tis the season for gratitude and spreading joy… and what better way to do that than by watching a powerful documentary together? I know it’s short notice, but this isn’t just any documentary.

On December 2 at 7:00 PM in Sunbury, a free screening will be held, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Pennsylvania’s broken guardianship system.

For those newer to this conversation: the advocacy work—local, state, and national—done by our team here at RTFCIL has been a strong force in pushing this fight forward. Credit hasn’t always been given (typical ableism), but we don’t need the credit. This fight goes far deeper than recognition… it speaks to who we are, our fundamental rights, and our ability to achieve true Independent Living.

This is about the right to choose and the right to be in control of our own lives. It’s about stopping the predatory guardianship practices that exploit people with disabilities for others’ gain. It’s about justice and freeing every person trapped under unnecessary guardianship.

Guardianship creates family dysfunction. Those who benefit from it are often the ones controlling it—under the cloak of “care” and “compassion.”

It’s ableist. It’s exploitation. It’s fraud. And above all, it violates the core principles of Independent Living.

Want the facts? Read the NCIL Resolution on Guardianship: https://ncil.org/about/ncil-documents-forms/resolutions/resolution-on-guardianship/

Why are people with disabilities always forced to prove themselves—and held to higher standards?

Imagine working your whole life only for someone else to control your money. To dictate where you live, who you can see, what you can eat or wear, or whether you vote… or marry… or have children… or make your own medical decisions. In some cases, even whether you live or die. The list goes on—but you get the picture.

How valuable are you? How protected are you?

Spotlight has been one of the few media outlets willing to publish the truth while others looked the other way. They’ve stood by us since the moment we cried out for help.

So what better way to spend your Tuesday night?

It’s free, but registration is required to guarantee seating.

Hope to see you there!

Register here: https://spotlightpa.bluelena.io/lt.php?x=4lZy~GDMKqTN5a4rzNxNVeWh2XUhjAAgwhhlZ5Q6I3XK750ry0y7xeFu2HykiUA0_ueglPLEKXGi953~yNEYUOO-2nMpiNT

Behind the scenes of Spotlight PA’s investigative reporting on Pennsylvania’s broken system for protecting older adults from abuse.

11/24/2025

� Please join us in welcoming Laura home! �

After spending the past few years in a nursing facility, Laura was more than ready to return to the community — and her excitement has been contagious! Laura is an incredibly independent woman who proudly showed our Nursing Home Transition (NHT) staff around her town, pointing out where everything is and where she used to work.

Before Roads to Freedom even stepped in, Laura had already begun apartment hunting on her own. With just a little support from us, she found the perfect new home — and she couldn’t be happier!

This past weekend, she was thrilled to watch the Christmas parade right from her window and has already started meeting her neighbors. Laura was so grateful for the household essentials we provided through the NHT program and told us she loved our taste in furniture — she would have picked out the same items herself!

�� Welcome home, Laura! We’re so proud to be part of your journey back to independent living.

11/13/2025

🚨 When disaster strikes, how do we ensure everyone in our community is safe—especially people with disabilities?

Join this webinar on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for an important conversation on building truly inclusive emergency preparedness.

We'll hear from frontline leaders who've navigated real disasters, learn about Pennsylvania-specific risks, and discover how you can advocate for more inclusive planning in your community.

Register now. Link in the comments.

FISA Foundation
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living

🚨 When disaster strikes, how do we ensure everyone in our community is safe—especially people with disabilities?

Join this webinar on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for an important conversation on building truly inclusive emergency preparedness.

We'll hear from frontline leaders who've navigated real disasters, learn about Pennsylvania-specific risks and discover how you can advocate for more inclusive planning in your community. Register now. Link in the comments.

FISA Foundation The Pittsburgh Foundation Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living

11/12/2025

Amador was so excited to finally move into his very own apartment — and to celebrate, he enjoyed his first sandwich at home! 🥪✨

True to his friendly nature, Amador wasted no time making new friends in his community. He’s already started connecting with his neighbors and embracing his new independence.

WELCOME HOME, Amador!

11/12/2025

Ten Tips for Families: Supporting a Veteran with a Disability Returning to Work

Learn more here ➡️ https://adata.org/factsheet/ten-tips-families

A veteran with a disability has a lot to offer in the civilian workplace: skills, discipline, teamwork, resilience and courage. Your loved one’s talents, skills, passions and aspirations matter now as much as they ever did. A key challenge for any veteran with a disability is to underestimate your...

11/11/2025

Ten Tips for Employers: Tapping into the Talents of Veterans with Disabilities

Learn more here ➡️ https://adata.org/factsheet/ten-tips-employers

Veterans have a lot to contribute to the workplace: skills, resilience, teamwork, loyalty, discipline, and adaptability. This is as true for the approximately one-third of veterans who have a disability as it is for others.