Voices For Independence

What Voices For Independence does

Voices For Independence (VFI) is a Pennsylvania-licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit Center for Independent Living founded in December 1993 and headquartered in Erie, PA. It serves individuals with disabilities across 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania through a bundled portfolio of independent-living services: Home Care / Personal Assistance Services (PAS) delivered via a distributed caregiver network; Nursing Home Transition support; in-house Home Modification services (ramps, roll-in showers, accessible kitchens); Peer Support and Skills Training delivered by Independent Living Specialists with disabilities; Advocacy; Wellness Activities and two accessible fitness centers; SSA Ticket to Work Employment Network services; and joint Fair Housing education. The organization is consumer-controlled, with a Board of Directors chaired by Kathy Hertzog and a majority of staff and board members being people with disabilities themselves.

The technology stack is a standard non-profit/association platform: a WordPress website with Gravity Forms powering online applications, registrations, donations, PHARE grant applications (with up to 50 MB file uploads), and PTO/manual clock-in forms; Stripe Checkout for donation and event payments; Amazon AWS hosting; MailChimp for email; Google Analytics for visitor analytics; and an EVV/HHA mobile time-tracking app (with a backup web form requiring dual electronic signatures) for Medicaid-compliant caregiver timesheets. Hiring is processed through an integrated ApplicantStack applicant tracking system. External digital partner Mediastead, LLC provides web development, digital marketing, and Data Protection Officer services.

Name

Voices For Independence

Legal name

Voices for Independence

Website

https://vficil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Voices For Independence is a 501(c)(3) Center for Independent Living founded in 1993 in Erie, PA, delivering home care, home modifications, nursing home transition, peer support, advocacy, wellness, and employment services to individuals with disabilities across 27 Western Pennsylvania counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Independent Living Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE)

Keywords

• Independent living services
• Disability support programs
• Personal assistance services
• Home modification services
• Center for independent living

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tax-deductible Donations: 501(c)(3) charitable donations accepted online via Stripe at $25 / $50 / $100 / $500 / other tiers, plus checks/money orders mailed to VFI, plus in-kind gifts of goods (TVs, radios, strobes) and services (ramp-building labor, life-skills teaching).
2. Home Care / Personal Assistance Services (PAS): Fee-for-service home care delivered across 27 counties, covering dressing, transferring, personal hygiene, light housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, and medication reminders; service codes W1793 PAS, W179322 HMA, W1793TT CSLA indicate Medicaid-waiver / state-funded billing.
3. PHARE Grant Administration: Administers the Pennsylvania Housing and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Attendant Assistance Program, distributing funds to eligible low-income VFI caregivers for rent, utilities, pest control, and transportation.
4. Employment Services / Ticket to Work: Free Employment Network services under the SSA Ticket to Work program — job search assistance, resume writing, interview prep, benefits counseling, and long-term supports.
5. Event Registration Fees: Per-participant registration fees for the annual No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge ($20 default per registrant, plus additional team players); registration includes t-shirt, finisher medal, goodie bag, and raffle entries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Voices For Independence (VFI) is a non-profit Center for Independent Living that delivers a portfolio of independent living services to individuals with disabilities across 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania. Core offerings include Home Care/Personal Assistance Services, Nursing Home Transition, Home Modifications, Peer Support/Skills Training, Advocacy, Wellness/Fitness Center activities, Employment Services under the Ticket to Work program, and Fair Housing Education & Outreach.

Product overview

Voices For Independence (VFI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Center for Independent Living established in 1993 in Erie, PA, serving individuals with disabilities across 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania. Rather than a single software product, VFI delivers a portfolio of independent living services through its website as a unified access point: core services include Home Care (Personal Assistance Services), Nursing Home Transition, Home Modifications, Peer Support / Skills Training, Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Wellness Activities & Fitness Centers, Employment Services (Ticket to Work), and Fair Housing Education & Outreach. Layered on top of these core services are ancillary programs and events: the No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge, Disability Pride Events, the PHARE Grant financial assistance program for caregivers, and the Caregiver Employment Program. The website acts as the platform connecting consumers to each service, with online forms for employment applications, donations (processed via Stripe), PTO requests, manual clock in/out, event registrations, and grant applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge: Annual adaptive fitness challenge event run by VFI, with the 6th Annual edition scheduled for August 22, 2026 in Erie, PA.
• VFI Caregiver Incentive Program

Products and services

• Home Care (Personal Assistance Services) Personal Assistance Services helping individuals with disabilities live independently in their own homes across 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania, including dressing, transferring, personal hygiene, light housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
• Nursing Home Transition Concentration of services that help consumers with disabilities residing in institutional settings transition back into the community, providing information on available options, tools, and supports to regain independence.
• Home Modifications Accessible home modification services delivered by certified VFI staff, including wheelchair ramps, accessible kitchens, and roll-in showers, with help navigating landlords, contractors, affordability, and funding sources such as the Medicaid Independence Waiver.
• Peer Support / Skills Training Empathetic, non-medical peer support delivered by Independent Living Specialists with disabilities in individual and group settings, plus skills training on independent living topics such as finances, attendant management, and personal relationships.
• Advocacy for People with Disabilities Individual and systems advocacy to advance equality and civil rights for people with disabilities, including accessible housing negotiations, restroom and entryway expansions, public transit improvements, and court advocacy for curb cuts.
• Wellness Activities & Fitness Center Accessible/adaptive social and fitness activities (aerobics, bowling, cooking class, craft class, self-defense, group functions) plus two on-site accessible fitness centers — the PA Health & Wellness Fitness Center in Erie and the UPMC Health Plan Wellness Center in Washington.
• Employment Services (Ticket to Work) Free services under the SSA Ticket to Work program, including employment search assistance, resume writing, interview prep, benefits counseling, and long-term supports and management.
• Fair Housing Education & Outreach Joint initiative with the Fair Housing Law Center providing education and outreach training to end housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability.
• Caregiver Employment Program Direct-hire Caregiver program operating across 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania, with paid training, weekly pay, flexible scheduling, PTO/holiday pay, EAP, retention bonuses, and Tuition Assistance Program of up to $5,000/year.
• PHARE Grant Program (Attendant Assistance Program) Financial assistance program for current VFI caregivers experiencing hardship, providing funds for rent/mortgage, utilities, pest control, and transportation costs (vehicle repairs, Uber gift cards, bus passes).
• No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge Annual multi-station adaptive fitness event open to individuals of all abilities, held at VFI's Erie office. Participants register as individuals or teams (up to 8), receiving a t-shirt, finisher medal, goodie bag, and raffle basket entries.
• Disability Pride Events Inaugural Disability Pride celebrations in Erie and Washington, PA, hosted in partnership with Disability Pride Pennsylvania, featuring resource tables, entertainment, refreshments, and speakers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves hundreds of individuals with disabilities across 27 Western PA counties
• +3 more outcomes

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Disability Pride PennsylvaniaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host partnership to deliver Disability Pride 2026 events in Erie (July 7, 10am-2pm at Perry Square) and Washington (July 14, 10am-2pm at Downtown Community Pavilion). Both events feature resource tables, entertainment, refreshments, and speakers including Mayor Daria Devlin (Erie) and Mayor JoJo Burgess (Washington). Contact: Vicki Landers ([email protected]). Inaugural jointly-produced disability-led celebration.
• TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located in the renovated historic YWCA building at 42 West Maiden Street, Washington, PA. TRPIL delivers the 5 core CIL services from the Washington office while VFI covers all other services — effectively a shared service-delivery hub covering the region.
• Fair Housing Law CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint education and outreach initiative to end housing discrimination. Together they cover topics including Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Familial Status, and Disability. Outreach contact: [email protected].
• PA Health & WellnesscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSponsors the Fitness Center at the Erie office. The 100% accessible fitness facility is open to the general public during business hours and includes adaptive exercise machines (stander, rowing machine, paramill, free weights).
• UPMC Health PlancoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSponsors the UPMC Health Plan Wellness Center at the Washington office (coordinated by Matt Sabatini). The 100% accessible facility is open to the general public during business hours.
• RCPA (Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership organization; VFI displays the RCPA 25-26 member logo on its website and links out to paproviders.org.
• Veterans Home Care (vet-assist)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner logo displayed in VFI's Events section linking to veteranshomecare.com — supports VFI's mission of serving veterans with disabilities in Western PA.
• Accessible ErieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner logo displayed in VFI's Events section linking to accessibleerie.com — joint accessibility advocacy in the Erie region.
• Mediastead, LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite development and digital marketing partner (credited on VFI's Credits page). Also serves as VFI's Data Protection Officer ([email protected], +1-215-253-3737) per the Privacy Policy.
• Erie Encore EntertainmentminorOthersProvides music at the 6th Annual No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge (Aug 22, 2026 at the Erie office).
• A Waffle MiracleminorOthersProvides food for purchase at the No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge.
• Social Security Administration — Ticket to Work ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVFI is an SSA Employment Network providing free Ticket to Work services: employment search assistance, resume writing, interview prep, benefits counseling, and long-term supports & management.
• Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHARE) / PA Office of Long-term LivingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVFI administers the Pennsylvania Housing and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Attendant Assistance Program (AHAP) on behalf of the state, distributing hardship funds (rent, utilities, pest control, transportation) to eligible low-income VFI caregivers. Program contact: Angelica Mazur or Julianne Carter at (814) 874-0064.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Three Rivers Center for Independent Living: A federally funded CIL serving Allegheny and surrounding counties in Western Pennsylvania. Operates the same 5 core CIL services, peer support, advocacy, and independent living model as VFI, with overlapping geographic territory.
• Liberty Resources Inc. Pennsylvania-based CIL providing independent living services, advocacy, and home- and community-based supports across multiple regions. Directly comparable CIL model serving individuals with disabilities, though with broader geographic reach.
• Transitional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL): Co-located with VFI's Washington, PA office, TRPIL delivers the 5 core CIL services in the Washington region while VFI provides complementary services. Effectively a sister CIL with shared infrastructure and overlapping consumer base.
• Achièva: Western Pennsylvania-based nonprofit providing services to individuals with disabilities and their families, including residential supports, community living, and advocacy. Comparable mission and overlapping Western PA geography.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities, seniors, and veterans through a broad portfolio including home care, vocational services, and accessibility programs. Comparable services at national scale, but without CIL-specific peer-led governance.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit providing employment services, vocational training, and benefits counseling for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Comparable Ticket-to-Work-adjacent service line, but broader mission and retail-funded model.
• The Arc of the United States: National disability advocacy and services organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable mission of independence and community living, but operates as a federation of state/local chapters rather than as a regional CIL.
• United Cerebral Palsy: National disability services organization providing housing, independent living, employment, and advocacy supports. Comparable direct-service portfolio, but operates through affiliates nationally rather than as a single regional CIL.

Regional players

• Resources for Human Development (RHD): Pennsylvania-headquartered human services nonprofit operating programs across multiple states in disability services, behavioral health, and housing. Comparable in scale and service breadth, but with a different geographic focus.

Others

• PA Health & Wellness: Pennsylvania Medicaid managed care organization that sponsors VFI's Erie Fitness Center and partners on community wellness initiatives. Adjacent ecosystem participant — payer rather than direct service competitor, but a key funder and partner in VFI's service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vficil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnMpv33tXQCVG0SSWRpmBtQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/VFICIL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/voices-for-independence-cil
• Instagraminstagram.com/vficil

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Voices For Independence