Executive Director, Jimmie Soto
A Message from Jimmie Soto, Executive Director
Dear Consumers and Partners,
As the Executive Director of Independent Living Center of Kern County (ILCKC), I am honored and humbled to serve people with disabilities. ILCKC has been serving Kern County for over 35 years! On behalf of our staff, we are very grateful for everyone who has supported Independent Living Center of Kern County over those years. Our staff are the foundation that allows ILCKC to operate and serve people with disabilities (PWD) throughout Kern County. It is with open arms that we invite the community to collaborate with us in order to enhance and improve the integration of the disability community.
Our staff and board members make a daily impact in our community by taking the time to educate, engage, and empower PWD. ILCKC serves approximately 500 consumers annually. We receive thousands of information & referral calls each year. Our staff continuously offer resources and guidance to help PWD make informed choices about available options that best fits their lifestyle. With resources at hand, we strive to go beyond I&R to bring back the experience of peer-to-peer mentorships for the community.
Our staff, who‘ve overcome disability-related obstacles, can offer insight, encouragement, and tips to consumers as peers. With over half of our staff being comprised of individuals who live with one or multiple disabilities, we understand the individual is the expert in their disability and we respect consumer choices.
We take pride in empowering consumers to reach their full potential and ILCKC remains devoted to advocate for a more accessible future for all PWD.
We understand that every case is unique. ILCKC is here to support a more independent and integrated life for all PWD. As a person with a disability, I want to remind PWD to embrace the idea that you can step into the driver’s seat of your life. Learn to do as much as you can, on your own. You can do better and you deserve better.
Your friend,
Jimmie Soto, Executive Director