Food Pantry/Essential Shelf
The Food Pantry/Essential Shelf aims to increase awareness of food insecurity. We are part of the Capital Region Food Pantries. We provide shelf-stable food, and limited meats and produce are also available. The pantry is open Monday-Friday 10 am to 3 pm. We are closed on most holidays. Please bring your own bags!
We also have limited quantities of household cleaning and hygiene products. Quantities are limited and available while supplies last!
Peer Counseling
Person-centered mentoring provides consumers the opportunity for personal growth to achieve goals and facilitate connections through shared experiences.
Often, the best teacher is one who has been down the road ahead of you. Our Peer Navigators are trained individuals with disabilities who work with you one-on-one to mentor be self-advocates, and offer you support while making life changes.
Individual and Systemic Advocacy
CDCI engages in both individual and systemic advocacy to promote equal access, independence, and full community inclusion for people with disabilities.
At the individual level, we support consumers in understanding and exercising their rights, navigating complex systems, and advocating for the services and supports they need.
At the systemic level, we work with community partners, policymakers, and stakeholders to identify and address barriers, improve policies, and create more inclusive and accessible systems across housing, employment, healthcare, transportation, and community life.
Information and Referral
As a Center for Independent Living (CIL), one of our core services is Information and Referral—so please ask us!
We are here to provide information, resources, and referrals to community partner agencies. And if we do not know the answer, we will do our best to help connect you with an agency or service that can assist you throughout the Greater Capital Region.
Independent Living Skills Training
Person Centered Planning is an approach designed to assist individuals in planning their lives and supports. Services promote self-help, equal access, peer role modeling, personal growth, and empowerment so that people with disabilities may live in the least restrictive setting of their choice.
Benefit Advisement
CDCI provides Benefits Advisement services to support individuals with disabilities in understanding and maximizing their public benefits while pursuing employment and independent living goals.
We offer individualized guidance on programs such as Social Security (SSI/SSDI), Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other public benefits. Our team helps consumers understand how work and income may impact their benefits, identify available work incentives, and make informed employment decisions.
Through personalized planning, we empower individuals to increase financial stability, reduce risk, and achieve greater independence
Housing
With over 45 years of experience, we’re here to help you find and keep housing that works for you.
We offer support with:
- Finding and applying for housing (private, HUD, subsidized, and more)
- Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
- Navigating housing systems and building self-advocacy skills
- Accessibility and home modifications
- Rent, utilities, and homeownership resources
- Eviction prevention and housing concerns
- Mediation and wraparound support services
We serve individuals with all types of disabilities and are here to support you every step of the way.
Employment
We can work with you in resume building, job searching, interview skills, and managing your disability while working. Additionally, our Employment Specialists can assist you in learning “soft skills,” such as what acceptable work and social conduct are, how to maintain a job, and how to access transportation.
Reentry
We assist justice-involved youth and adults with disabilities in transitioning back into the community. Center Advocates help meet basic needs such as housing, employment, independent living skills, VR services, and social support.