SCIL, Southeast Center for Independent Living

SCIL, Southeast Center for Independent Living Pitta at lpitta@secil.org. We offer four core services to anyone with a disability who lives in within our service area.

SCIL is a 501c non-profit servicing people with disabilities in Southeastern MA
If interested in volunteering on our Board of Directors, don't hesitate to get in touch with Executive Director, Lisa M. The four core services offered are: Advocacy, Information & Referral, Peer Counseling, and Skills Training. We also offer several other programs:

TAP - Transition to Adulthood Program
TICL - Transition Into the Community Living Program
Mass Assistive Technology Loan Program
Options Counseling
Driver's Ed (Learner's Permit only) Classes
Computer Classes
Volunteers/Interns are always welcome!

Happy holidays from all of us at SCIL!
12/22/2025

Happy holidays from all of us at SCIL!

We want to take a moment to thank United Way of Greater Fall River, Inc., for selecting us to be a recipient of a Unite...
12/18/2025

We want to take a moment to thank United Way of Greater Fall River, Inc., for selecting us to be a recipient of a United Response Fund grant to help support emergency food assistance to those in need. Below are a few photos of receiving and distributing the funds.

The Arc offers a great program for people with disabilities who plan to fly.
12/18/2025

The Arc offers a great program for people with disabilities who plan to fly.

Busy airports. Loud planes. For some people, such as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, air travel can be hard. The Arc is an organization that supports people with disabilities. It has found a way to help. The Arc…

12/12/2025
12/11/2025

Mass 2-1-1 and Lyft are partnering to provide Relief Rides—limited, FREE transportation for those who meet specific eligibility requirements and have no other local resource available.

These rides are available for critical non-emergency needs, including:
🚗 Food Access: Trips to food pantries, grocery shopping, or SNAP applications.
🚗 Employment: Short-term work transportation (up to 5 one-way or 3 round-trip rides).
🚗 Health & Medical: Non-emergency appointments, pharmacy trips, and mental health services.

This service is currently available for qualifying individuals in Fall River and New Bedford.
Rides can often be scheduled immediately or up to 48 hours in advance.

To check your eligibility, dial 2-1-1. Once you get the automated attendant, dial 28.
The phone line is available: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM.

"When we protect the most vulnerable, when we refuse to look away, when we speak up for the institutions that speak up f...
12/10/2025

"When we protect the most vulnerable, when we refuse to look away, when we speak up for the institutions that speak up for us, we keep human rights alive." - António Guterres
Today is Human Rights Day - Human Rights are Positive, Attainable, and Essential.

Human Rights Day commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

SCIL The Independent Connection Fall 2025 -
12/08/2025

SCIL The Independent Connection Fall 2025 -

Copyright (C) 2025 Southeast Center for Independent Living, Inc.. All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:Want to change how you receive these emails?You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Music suggestions to help keep the blues away!
12/05/2025

Music suggestions to help keep the blues away!

Music is one tool that can help your mood. We created these music playlists for when you’re depressed to lift your mood.

12/04/2025

Due to expected freezing weather the City of Fall River will be opening the Extreme Cold Weather Temporary Shelter from 4:00pm on Thursday, December 4th through 8:00am Friday, December 5th in the first-floor conference room of The First Step Inn at 134 Durfee Street.

Anyone in need of assistance for their shelter needs is urged to call 508-679-8001 or the FAST Response Team’s 24-hour homeless hotline at 508-676-3528.

Congratulations Paige's Paracord and More! Here's to many more successful years in business.
12/02/2025

Congratulations Paige's Paracord and More! Here's to many more successful years in business.

Paige’s Paracord and More celebrated their one year anniversary and Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 29. “It kind of went by kind of went by pretty fast,” said Marianne Santos, Paige’s mother and an owner of the shop, “But we keep going, we keep bringing in new things and hopefull...

December 18, 2025 5:00 PM Join us via Zoom or in person to create jewelry together. Free kits will be dropped off. Pleas...
12/01/2025

December 18, 2025 5:00 PM Join us via Zoom or in person to create jewelry together. Free kits will be dropped off. Please contact Brenda 774-361-1009 to save your spot by December 15, 2025.

Address

66 Troy Street
Fall River, MA
02720

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15086799210

Website

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Our Story

A group of concerned citizens, the majority of whom were persons with disabilities, founded the Southeast Center for Independent Living (SCIL) in 1986. Our founding activists shared a vision of affecting change that would make the community accessible to any person with a disability. They aspired to provide the resources, knowledge, and assistance to those with a disability who wished to pursue a more independent, self-directed lifestyle.

In 1987 the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) awarded SCIL a startup contract. SCIL began to advocate for consumer (a term for individuals with disabilities that receive services from independent living centers) rights with regards to transportation, housing, and healthcare issues. By February of 1987, SCIL opened in Fall River, MA and became incorporated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

Just two months later the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing awarded a larger contract to SCIL to provide independent living services to individuals that are deaf and hard of hearing. This allowed SCIL the opportunity to reach out and help more individuals in the community. The following year in 1988, SCIL was awarded a federal contract for Title VII Part A which gave SCIL funds to provide adaptive equipment and other independent living services that would be needed to enhance the consumers’ independence.