1997

July 1997

• We receive our 501 (c) (3) status.

April 1997

• Leases office space at 1023 N. Kansas Suite 2, Liberal KS. Also leased office space at 108 N. 14th, Dodge City KS.

March 1997

• First Independent Living Specialist hired in Garden City.

January 1997

• Office open in Garden City with Director and volunteer staff.

1996

December 1996

• Hired Executive Director, Troy Horton.

November 1996

• Became Incorporated by the State of Kansas

September 1996

• Leased office space at 417 N. 8th Garden City. Families Together is sharing office space.

August 1996

• A grant was submitted to the state Social Rehabilitation Services for operating funds.

July 1996

• Board of Directors was formed which included Ignacio Franco, Tim Steiniger, Tami Schwindt, Deanne Sue Lundstedt, and Troy Horton.
• LINK Inc. agrees to mentor the new center.

June 1996

• Kansas State Legislators directs Social Rehabilitation Services to fund the two centers.
• A group of people gathered at The Salvation Army in Garden City to discuss the opening and applying for the grant to start a Center in Garden City.

January 1996

• KACIL and the SILCK advocated for and received funding from the legislature for an additional $ 400,000.00 to fund two additional CIL's in Hutchinson and Garden City. Funds were identified in the budget and came from Social Security reimbursements.