SAIL Milestones 1988 - A local chapter of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (CCDI), a state-wide advocacy group, forms in Decatur. In 1990 they establish a committee to begin the process of creating a Center for Independent Living to serve people with disabilities in Macon, Moultrie, and Shelby counties. 1991 - In December an interim board is formed. 1992 - January the interim board begins meeting at Family Systems in Decatur and selects officers. In June the board selects the name, Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL). By-laws are drafted in August with a charter incorporation application funded by the local CCDI. In September Jim Bogle is elected volunteer interim director with a temporary office established at Easter Seals. SAIL becomes incorporated in October and receives a $500 grant from the Decatur Human Relations Committee. 1993 - January SAIL's first newsletter, the "Anchor", is created as well as future staff and volunteer policies. In February, SAIL receives a $12,600 block grant from the city of Decatur to construct ramps and a $250 grant from the Decatur Human Relations Committee for administrative expenses. SAIL moves into donated office space at St. Mary's Hospital in May. Jim Bogle resigns as interim director in July and is replaced by Paul Rosenberger. In August SAIL conducts workshops in their three county areas through grant funding from the Great Lakes Technical Assistance Center. Fundraising efforts are continued throughout the year including the sale of t-shirts with the new SAIL logo. 1994 - SAIL receives donations of $1200 from the Decatur Jaycees and $500 from the Human Service Agency Consortium (HSAC) to build ramps. During this year thirty ramps are built through additional monies from the city block grant. In April board members testify at budget hearings in Springfield. They meet with legislators during the state’s May budget negotiations to secure funding to open a CIL. Through their advocacy efforts and the support of the late Senator Penny Severns and Representative Duane Noland, SAIL receives $100,000 in funding in October to become the state’s 20th CIL. Matt Abrahamson is hired in December as SAIL’s first Executive Director. 1995 - In February SAIL’s Facility Search Committee chooses an office in a previously unoccupied portion of a building in Park 101, a large business complex located on the northeast side of Decatur. SAIL hires it first staff member in March as Independent Living Coordinator/Receptionist. In May, SAIL holds its first board meeting in the new facility and the first part-time receptionist is hired. The city of Decatur awards SAIL $16,800 for building ramps in June. In July the Springfield Diocese awards SAIL a $1700 Catholic Human Development Grant. SAIL also holds its first open house in July featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Senator Severns, and Representatives Duane Noland and Julie Curry. 1996 - SAIL holds a Wheel-A-Thon in April at Nelson Park on the lake. Throughout the year additional grant funding is received to begin several new programs and hire additional staff. These new areas include: Advocacy, Visual and Deaf Services. 1997 - Additional office space is added to the current facility in March to accommodate the increased staff and programs. In May, a satellite office is opened in Shelbyville in donated office space from Shelby County Community Services. SAIL staff commutes weekly to meet the needs of consumers in Shelby County. Also in May, SAIL receives funding from the Illinois Bureau of Blind Services to establish an equipment loan and demonstration program. SAIL holds an open house in July to celebrate the expanded facility and the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). During 1997 additional funding is acquired to expand staff and programs including: Family Advocate, Adaptive Daily Living Coach for persons with visual impairments, and ADA compliance staff. 1998 - SAIL expands its facility again in May when office space becomes available. In July another open house is held where a “Spirit of Involvement Award” is presented in honor of the late Senator Severns. 1999 - SAIL’s director resigns in January for another position. Jim Hoffert, SAIL’s Adaptive Daily Living Coach, serves as interim director until March when Chuck Stine is hired as SAIL’s new Executive Director. Also in January the first full-time Outreach Coordinator for the Shelbyville satellite office is hired. 1999 - A Sullivan satellite office is opened and a part-time Outreach Specialist is hired in November to meet the needs of consumers in Moultrie County. The office is located in donated office space from the Beacon. 2000 - Chuck Stine resigns as Executive Director in June to accept another position. Board President Rob Johnson serves as interim director until August when Bill Kienzle accepts the position. In July SAIL is awarded the Reintegration Grant. A full-time staff member is hired to oversee this new program. 2001 - In October SAIL receives funding to provide services in three previously un-served counties: Cole, Clark, and Cumberland. 2002 - The new Triple C office opens in May with a full time Program Director and a part-time Administrative Services Coordinator.