When Independent Living Centre Kingston (ILCK) joined Providence Village, they became part of a growing network of like-minded nonprofit organizations providing supports and services to the community. ILCK moved into the West Wing at the Village on August 1, 2025, alongside organizations such as the Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, Arthritis Society Canada’s Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program, H’art Centre and Girls Inc. Limestone. This built-in network was one of the biggest draws for ILCK in choosing the Village as their new home, along with the opportunities for connection, collaboration and access to a range of resources and services in one place.
Just over a year later, ILCK is well settled into their new home and is seeing the benefits they hoped for — greater access to resources, stronger connections and new opportunities to increase their impact in the community.
We’re proud to spotlight Independent Living Centre Kingston and the important work they do to support people with disabilities in our community. Read the spotlight below to learn more about ILCK, their work and their experience as part of Providence Village.
Can you tell us about Independent Living Centre Kingston and the programs, services, and supports you provide to people with disabilities in our community?
Independent Living Centre Kingston (ILCK) is a community-based, cross-disability organization that supports people with disabilities to live independently, make their own choices, and participate fully in their communities.
We provide a range of free programs, services, and supports designed to reduce barriers and promise independence, while meeting clients where they are. These include:
- Information and Referral: This is our “one-stop-shop” program, where we assist people in finding and accessing community resources, including, but not limited to, transportation, recreation, income supports, employment services, and other disability-inclusive programming. This is a great first point of contact for those interested in learning more about ILCK or what Kingston has to offer in the disability space.
- Community Lending Library: We provide mobility/accessibility aids to community members free of charge, for reasons varying from recent surgery, injury, to life-long disability. Equipment available may include: wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower benches and chairs, etc.
- Flourish: Flourish is our new women’s empowerment and life stabilization program, where we aim to meet women with disabilities where they are, and help them in defining and achieving their goals, including employment, socialization, daily life skills development, systems navigation, and more.
- Social and Peer Support Groups: ILCK offers many avenues for connection with fellow community members, ranging from weekly Coffee Chats in our boardroom, to monthly Diner’s Club meetings where participants meet at a different accessible restaurant each month to enjoy a great meal and even greater company. Other examples of our groups include our Sexual and Reproductive Health groups for women with disabilities, our ongoing arts groups, and our Mindful Mondays accessible yoga classes.
To learn more about ILCK programs, please call us at 613-542-8353.
The lending library at ILCK.
What does “independent living” mean, and how does that philosophy shape the way your organization works with and supports people with disabilities?
The Independent Living philosophy dictates that independence is not necessarily about doing everything on your own. It means having choice, control, and the freedom to make decisions about your own life, care, and next steps, with the supports you need in order to do so safely and sustainably.
In essence, independent living is defined by self-determination, dignity, and choice.
What impact do you hope your programs and services have on the lives of the people you support?
There is real power in community, and Independent Living Centre Kingston provides that sense of community for many Kingstonians who may otherwise feel alone or unsupported in their disability journey.
Our programs and services also help reduce barriers by providing information, resources, skills, and practical supports that allow people to make their own choices and pursue their goals in a way that makes sense for them. Whether someone is looking for mobility devices, navigating community resources, exploring employment, developing daily living skills, or simply looking for connection, we want them to know that support is available for them at ILCK.
What first drew Independent Living Centre Kingston to Providence Village as the home for your organization?
One of the biggest barriers people with disabilities face is access. Travelling between multiple appointments and service providers can make it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to access the resources they need.
When we had the opportunity to join the Village, we saw a chance to help remove some of those barriers. Having ILCK alongside other service providers creates greater opportunities for community, connection, and access to resources in one place.
For us, it was a natural fit with our mission. We knew that being part of Providence Village could mean more access, more resources, more connections, and ultimately more success for the people we support.
What does it mean to be part of Providence Village alongside other mission-driven, community-focused organizations? Have you seen opportunities for connection or collaboration since joining the Village?
Being part of Providence Village means being part of a community where organizations are working toward a shared goal of supporting people and reducing barriers.
For ILCK, having other mission-driven organizations nearby creates opportunities to connect, share knowledge, and build relationships that can directly benefit the people we support. Sometimes that collaboration is as simple as knowing who to turn to when a client needs a resource or service that we don’t provide. We’re also seeing the value of being able to have those conversations more naturally because we’re part of the same community.
Ultimately, we believe there is strength in coming together. When organizations can work together, we create more pathways to resources, more opportunities for connection, and a stronger support system for our community.
How can community members learn more about Independent Living Centre Kingston, support your work, or get involved?
You can learn more about ILCK by reaching out to us directly via phone at 613-542-8353 or info@ilckingston.com, or by stopping by our office at Providence Village (1200 Princess Street, West Entrance).
We welcome interest from people wanting to engage with ILCK in a volunteer capacity. We typically meet with those who are interested, and decide how their interests and skills can be best used.
Community members can also support ILCK by telling people about the support we can provide, and, if at all possible, donating and supporting the work we do.