Empowering Independence
The Independence Center is one of 500+ designated Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in the United States. Developed as part of the Independent Living Movement, CILs are nonresidential community-based non-profit organizations that are designed and run by people with disabilities to help other people with disabilities live independently.
As a CIL, The Independence Center believes that each individual knows their own needs and what’s best for them. So instead of telling our consumers how they should live their lives, we walk alongside them, offering support and resources while they create the lives they want. These services are provided at no cost to our consumers, and include information and referral, skills training, peer counseling, advocacy, transition services, and much more!
Our Board
Jim is a Chicago native and lived there until the age of 16 when his family moved to Germany. At 17, he was involved in a snow tubing accident that left him with a spinal cord injury which resulted in quadriplegia. After rehabbing at Craig Hospital in Denver, he moved to the Colorado Springs area, where he has lived since 1979. Jim holds an Associate of Arts degree from Pikes Peak Community College and has also completed coursework at UCCS. Jim has been a successful corporate telecommunications manager as well as an on-air announcer for several local radio stations. He is currently the executive producer and marketing director of an internationally syndicated radio show. An avid supporter of live music in Colorado, he was part of a successful lawsuit that ensured that Red Rocks Amphitheater is accessible to people with disabilities. Jim is the proud dad of a University of Northern Colorado student studying music business and recording.
Kevin is originally from Maine but has called Colorado Springs since 1980. He is currently the chief financial officer of Diversus Health. Kevin is an accountant with 30 years of professional experience and 16 years of heath care experience. He has 23 years of not-for-profit experience in health care and Olympic sport and has a passion for serving the community and helping people. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Dan is originally from Montana and has called Colorado Springs home since 1985. He is the executive director of the Myron Stratton Home Foundation, the oldest private foundation in Colorado. Prior to arriving at his current position, Dan spent 22 years at Goodwill Industries serving as chief financial officer and later as president of the Goodwill Industrial Services Corporation where he developed a passion for assisting employees with developmental disabilities. Dan has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado, and is a certified public accountant. Dan resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Sandy. They have three children and one granddaughter, all living in Colorado.
Velette Britt is an Air Force Veteran who served nine years in the 21st Dental Squadron. Since 2021 she has owned and operated Relentless Well-Being LLC, which provides health and nutrition coaching for wheelchair users. Velette enjoys skiing and cycles competitively.
A graduate of Columbia College, Shawna Dusharm served more than 20 years as an office administrator in the U.S. Army at duty stations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia in various management, operations, and human resources positions. Most recently, Shawna served as an Operations Manager at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.
Chip couldn’t get back to Colorado Springs fast enough, having spent three years here in the 90s here and vowing to come back someday. He returned to the Springs in 2012 and put down roots with his family. Chip is a retired US Army Veteran, having spent time on five continents and in many countries. He served as an Intelligence and Information Operations specialist in the Army, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Chip’s bachelor’s degree is from Middle Tennessee State University; his master’s is from Johns Hopkins University. The three teenagers that call him Papa and his awesome Golden Retriever keep him alert and active. Most weekends during the winter see him in the mountains on the slopes. He is passionate about community work and focuses on Veterans issues.
Kimberly has more than 15 years of progressive nonprofit and social services management experience and has been commended by leadership, peers, and direct reports for building synergy in our missions, metrics, and teams. She is currently the owner and Community Engagement Manager of The Gold Standard, and President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce. She was recently named the 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Army Spouse of the Year.
Meghin moved to Colorado Springs in 2010 after graduating with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Nazareth University in Rochester, New York. She worked as a physical therapist at Memorial Hospital Central in both inpatient rehabilitation and hospital settings. In 2014, she earned her American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Neurologic Certified Specialist (NCS) designation with a focus on traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke rehab. Meghin then transitioned into leadership and is currently working as the Acute Care Therapy Manager for UCHealth Memorial Hospital North and Grandview Hospital. In this role, she supports physical, occupational, and speech therapists providing rehabilitation to diverse patient populations. She leverages her skills in Process Improvement to increase safe discharges to the community. Meghin enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She is a supporter of the arts, and loves an evening at the theatre.
MJ Smith was born and raised in Colorado Springs and was born with a disability called Osteogenesis Imperfecta also known as Brittle Bone Disease. Back in 2021, she went to school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and received her certification as a Holistic Health Coach. MJ served as a Service missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for a year and a half volunteering at the BYU Pathway Program helping out students in Southern Africa receiving her education. MJ is currently a religious teacher and is currently teaching an online class for young adults with Adapted Needs.
Drew is a Colorado native who has lived in Colorado Springs since 1968. He earned a BS from Lewis and Clark College and a JD from The University of Colorado School of Law. He has practiced law from El Paso County for over 35 years and has served on various nonprofit boards in the Pikes Peak Region including The Resource Exchange, The El Paso County Bar Foundation and The Independence Center. Drew suffered a severe spinal cord injury in 2004 which rendered him a paraplegic and wheelchair user. Drew brings a unique perspective of living on both sides of the world of ability/disability and has spent considerable time helping the IC to engage local government and agencies to improve accessibility and build a community where all can thrive. (Read about his experience of working with the City of Colorado Springs to ensure trails are accessible by clicking here.) Drew has a strong commitment to supporting the greatest level of independence and self determination possible for everyone. In his spare time, Drew enjoys outdoor sports, especially hand cycling and skiing with his wife, family and friends.