Silicon Valley Independent Living Center

What Silicon Valley Independent Living Center does

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-residential disability justice organization founded in 1976 and headquartered in San Jose, California, with a secondary branch office in Gilroy. It serves all persons with disabilities of all ages residing in Santa Clara County who seek services to support independent living, delivering programs free of charge through a peer-based model in which staff share lived disability experience. The organization operates as the only Independent Living Center in Silicon Valley and provides the only county-wide workshop dedicated to finding and obtaining low-income accessible housing.

SVILC's service portfolio spans 13+ core programs organized around the federal Independent Living Center framework: Independent Living Skills training, Housing Services (including Section 8 assistance), Emergency Services and food pantry, Information & Referral, Advocacy, Peer Support (Coffee Klatch), Benefits Services (SSDI, SSI, Medi-Cal, IHSS, etc.), Personal Care Attendant Services, Assistive Technology (including the California Voice Options Program), Community Transition Program for institutionalized individuals, DDAR (Disability Disaster Access & Resource) in partnership with PG&E, and ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Connections) with the California Department of Aging. Distribution occurs through one-on-one appointments at the San Jose and Gilroy offices, weekly workshops and peer support groups (in-person and via Zoom), and community-based outreach at shelters, school districts, and partner sites across the county.

The business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than revenue-generating: SVILC operates under a free-service principle consistent with the federal Independent Living Center network, accepting donations via phone, mail, and PayPal. Funding flows through program-specific contracts and grants from counterparties including CFILC, PG&E, the Housing Authority, the California Department of Rehabilitation, the California Department of Aging, Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Anthem Blue Cross, and Second Harvest Food Bank. The organization employs 11–50 staff, is led by Executive Director Sheri Burns, and is governed by a Board of Directors; it holds no patents, has no parent company, and has no disclosed M&A or funding history.

Name

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center

Legal name

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center

Website

https://svilc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, peer-based disability services organization that provides free independent living programs — including housing, benefits, advocacy, peer support, and assistive technology — to persons with disabilities of all ages in Santa Clara County, California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Disability services
• Independent living
• Peer support
• Assistive technology
• Disability advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SVILC operates primarily through charitable donations and grant funding. The organization accepts donations via phone, mail (check or money order), and PayPal. Services are provided free of charge to all persons with disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-residential organization that provides free services to all persons with disabilities of all ages in Santa Clara County. Core offerings include independent living skills training, housing search assistance and Section 8 support, benefits enrollment (SSDI/SSI/Medi-Cal), peer support groups, advocacy on ADA/civil rights, assistive technology device lending, personal care attendant services, community transition from institutions, and disaster preparedness resources for power-dependent individuals.

Product overview

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) is a nonprofit, non-residential organization providing free services to persons with disabilities in Santa Clara County. The organization operates as a service provider rather than a technology product company, offering a comprehensive suite of independent living programs including Independent Living Skills (ILS) training, Housing Services, Emergency Services, Information & Referral, Advocacy, Peer Support, Benefits Services, Personal Care Attendant Services, Assistive Technology programs, and Community Transition Program. Additional offerings include Disaster Disaster Access & Resource (DDAR), Aging and Disability Resource Connections (ADRC), and various workshops and events. Services are delivered through 1-on-1 appointments, workshops, and community partnerships, with facilities in San Jose and Gilroy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Independent Living Skills (ILS) Skills-building program for persons with disabilities covering daily living competencies such as time management, self-advocacy, computer skills, internet safety, resume writing, interviewing, public transit use, budgeting, and bill pay. Offered through one-on-one appointments and group workshops.
• Housing Services Housing assistance unique to SVILC's independent living center, providing updated wait list information, housing workshops, Section 8 voucher assistance, financial assistance for deposits, and coaching on housing search strategies for persons with disabilities.
• Emergency Services Emergency assistance for persons with disabilities covering housing application fees, rent or mortgage assistance, move-in costs, food pantry distributions, short-term loans of wheelchairs or assistive technology, bus tokens, and case management.
• Information & Referral Resource navigation service providing accurate and complete information and referrals to other organizations or programs, including products, services, equipment, training, legislation, civil rights, and inter-agency referrals.
• Advocacy Individual and systems advocacy ensuring civil rights for persons with disabilities, covering ADA compliance, the Olmstead decision, voting rights, paratransit, IHSS, and housing protections.
• Peer Support Weekly peer support group (Coffee Klatch) providing a safe and relaxed environment where persons with disabilities can find and provide mutual support, build friendships, and expand their support networks.
• Benefits Services Assistance for persons with disabilities in identifying and applying for public and disability benefits including SSDI, SSI, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, Medicare, IHSS, Social Security Ticket to Work, and CA Department of Rehabilitation services.
• Personal Care Attendant Services Support for consumers in understanding the process of hiring, managing, and firing a Personal Care Attendant, with monthly workshops and access to the QuickMatch PCA Registry.
• Assistive Technology Assistive technology services including AT device lending, the California Voice Options Program (iPads with speech apps), AT workshops and demonstrations, home modifications assistance, and equipment donation/recycling.
• Community Transition Program Comprehensive care coordination and intensive case management for persons with disabilities transitioning from institutions (hospitals, nursing facilities) to community living settings, including assistance with the Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Housing Voucher Program.
• Disability Disaster Access & Resource (DDAR) Disaster readiness and recovery program assisting people with disabilities and older adults with Medical Baseline Enrollment, Disaster Kits, the Portable Battery Program, and emergency resources during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.
• Aging and Disability Resource Connections (ADRC) Single-system access point for older adults and individuals with disabilities to find information and access services, providing Enhanced Information and Referral, Options Counseling, Short-Term Service Coordination, and Transition Services under California's 'no wrong door' policy.
• Workshops & Events Calendar of recurring workshops and events including Housing Search Fundamentals, Cooking Skills, Emergency Preparedness, Advocacy in the Workplace, Time Management, Budget 101, and Coffee Klatch peer support sessions, offered in-person and via Zoom.
• Food Pantry Food distribution service operated in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, providing canned, dry, and perishable goods to community members in need with weekly replenishments.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVILC partners with CFILC on the Disability Disaster Access & Resource (DDAR) initiative to support people with disabilities and older adults in disaster readiness and recovery across California. This partnership coordinates programs for those who depend on power for durable medical equipment.
• PG&EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with PG&E enables SVILC to assist clients with Medical Baseline Program enrollment, provide backup portable batteries to qualifying customers, and support individuals affected by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). PG&E provides program funding and coordination for disaster preparedness services.
• Second Harvest Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVILC is a proud partner with Second Harvest Food Bank. The food pantry receives weekly replenishments to provide food to the community. Any individual needing food can access the pantry.
• Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enables SVILC to assist Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) individuals ages 18-61 with applying for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to support housing search while transitioning from institutions to community living.
• Santa Clara Family Health Plan and Anthem Blue CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVILC coordinates Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) through Cal Medi-Connect with these health plans to provide home and community-based services supporting people living independently.
• California Department of RehabilitationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Transition Funding through CA Department of Rehabilitation may assist qualified institutionalized consumers with one-time transition funding covering first month's rent, utilities, moving expenses, household items, personal care services, and assistive technology devices.
• Disability Organizing Network (DO Net)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVILC partners with DO Net which organizes disability advocates, activists, and community members across California to work on disability rights issues.
• California Partnership, South Bay ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVILC participates in the South Bay Chapter which includes other anti-poverty and justice organizations working on shared advocacy goals.
• Parents Helping ParentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored the COVID Vaccine and Individuals with Disabilities Town Hall Meeting with Dr. Marty Fenstersheib in March 2021.
• San Andreas Regional CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored the COVID Vaccine and Individuals with Disabilities Town Hall Meeting alongside Parents Helping Parents and SVILC.
• Healthier Kids Foundation (HKF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVILC partnered with HKF and the County Public Health Department to secure priority vaccine appointments for individuals with disabilities. Contact: 1-833-560-0560.
• California Department of Aging (CDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVILC participates in California's Aging and Disability Resource Connections (ADRC) program administered by CDA, providing information and access to services for older adults and individuals with disabilities following the 'no wrong door' policy.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL): Hayward-based Independent Living Center serving Alameda County with the same peer-based disability services, housing, and advocacy offerings as SVILC; operates within the same California ILC ecosystem.
• Sourcewise (formerly Council on Aging Silicon Valley): Santa Clara County-based Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) partner and senior services nonprofit; directly comparable to SVILC's ADRC and community transition programs in the same geography.
• Center for Independent Living (Berkeley/Oakland): Bay Area Independent Living Center providing the same peer-based, cross-disability independent living services model across Alameda and Contra Costa counties; structurally identical to SVILC and part of the same California ILC network.
• Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco: San Francisco-based Independent Living Center offering the same ILS, housing assistance, benefits enrollment, advocacy, and peer support programming as SVILC; direct California ILC network peer.

Regional players

• Parents Helping Parents (PHP): San Jose-based nonprofit supporting families of children with special needs; has co-sponsored events with SVILC and overlaps on benefits navigation, peer support, and advocacy within Santa Clara County, but with a children-and-families focus.
• California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC): Statewide umbrella association for California's ILCs and a core SVILC partner (DDAR program). Acts as a broader peer/convener rather than a direct local competitor.

Emerging players

• AbilityNow Bay Area (formerly Community Gatepath): Bay Area nonprofit providing adult day services, supported employment, and independent living programs for people with developmental disabilities; partial overlap with SVILC's ILS and community transition offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Disability Rights California: Statewide Protection & Advocacy system serving Californians with disabilities; overlaps with SVILC on individual and systems advocacy, benefits access, and ADA enforcement, but operates at much larger scale across the entire state.
• The Arc of California: Statewide chapter of The Arc serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families; overlaps with SVILC on advocacy, community living, and benefits navigation but with an I/DD-specific focus.
• Easterseals Bay Area: Regional affiliate of Easterseals serving people with disabilities across the Bay Area; broader service portfolio (early intervention, adult day services, employment) overlaps with several SVILC programs but with different geographic and funding scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/svilc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SVILC

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Silicon Valley Independent Living Center