Get Real
Independent Living
Cynthia Casale
IL/AT Advocacy & Durable Medi (570) 327-9070Email Cynthia Casale
Cynthia (Cindy) is the Advocacy Service Coordinator for the Center for Independent Living of Northcentral PA. Cindy has been associated with CIL since it first opened in 1995. She works in the advocacy department and her favorite part of the job is working with the legislators to enforce or rewrite laws. Cindy’s says, “I cannot be the only person with a disability that the legislators hear from. It takes all persons with disabilities to come together to make change. So, don’t be afraid to contact your legislators to make your voice heard. They are there to protect your rights.”
James Baker
Peer Support Coordinator (570)327-9070Email James Baker
James attended the Hiram G. Andrews Center and received a associates degree in Computer Servicing. He also worked many years in retail sales and retail management. Those years helped him to relate with the public and understand and respect different people. James is a native of Williamsport, and loves to garden and build scale models for an HO scale train layout. He’s volunteered for a wide variety of nonprofit groups over the years, and has enjoyed helping people gain the necessary skills to increase their independence. He also creates art in many mediums. As the Peer Support Coordinator James develops volunteers and consumers into mentors. James also assists with the autism community inclusion and the autism spectrum disorder group. In addition to his regular duties he helps with teaching independent living skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
Julie Bair
Assistive Technology Service (570) 327-9070Email Julie Bair
Julie started working at the CIL in October of 2009 as the Independent Living/ Assistive Technology Service Coordinator. Julie graduated from Pennsylvania College of Technology in May of 2009 with a Bachelor degree in Human Services. She has experience in the human service field with previous employment at Hope Enterprise in a group home and at Bethesda Alternative Education Program as a teacher’s aide. Julie was on the Board of Directors at the Children’s Discovery Workshop and volunteered for the Teen Parenting Coalition. Julie is a wife and mother of two, daughter Nadera and son Wyatt. She enjoys scrapbooking, reading and spending time with her family.
Lana Stroud
Deaf & HoH Service Coordinator (570)279-4590 or (866)790-3708Email Lana Stroud
Lana began employment at the Roads to Freedom CILNCP in September of 2010 as the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Coordinator. In addition, Lana continues to be employed as a Community Support Associate by Community Interactions at Signing Places, a residential community home for persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Lana graduated from the Wyoming Technical Institute (WyoTech), Blairsville, Pa. in September of 2006 with an Associate’s degree in Automotive Technology and Applied Service Management. She has been deaf since early childhood and is the second- generation of a Deaf family. She also has been a member of the Pa. Society for the Advancement of the Deaf since 1993, previously been on the board of PSAD, served in various capacities as an officer of PSAD and the former Lycoming Valley Association of the Deaf, and currently acts as a support service provider for persons who are Deaf-Blind. What sparse leisure time that remains is spent enjoying time with family and friends, reading, anything of a vehicular nature, the outdoors, and bowling.
Martin Grafius
Fitness Coordinator (570)327-9070Email Martin Grafius
Martin is the Fitness Coordinator for the Independent Living department at ROADS To Freedom. He received his Physical Fitness Specialist A.A.S in 2009 and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Applied Health at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Martin has many hobbies but the ones that continue to pique his interests are fitness and being a GIANT nerd. Martin’s future goals (outside of living a long, healthy, and happy life) are: never stop learning, continue to fight for the rights of the down-trodden, and to own a jetpack (which he will use to help the down-trodden). “I have worked at several places: I was a Barista, a rock climbing wall instructor, a gym attendant, and a personal trainer. None of the jobs I listed consistently bring the satisfaction and joy that ROADS To Freedom gives me on a daily basis.”
Meagan Murray
Volunteer Service Coordinator (570) 327-9070Email Meagan Murray
Meagan is a native of Williamsport area, born and raised in the nearby town of Hughesville, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Pennsylvania College of Technology with an Associate’s Degree in Human Services. During college she learned about the CIL (Now ROADS To Freedom CILNCP) through an internship with our Independent Living Department. After graduation she decided to become a volunteer and was hired as an IM4Q Service Coordinator. Later on she took the position of Volunteer Coordinator. Having cerebral palsy herself, Meagan appreciates that this agency sees the person, not the disability and agrees that we can be the "ROAD To Freedom" for so many people with disabilities. Meagan's passion is a nonprofit Christmas project she created 12 years ago called "Meagan's Box". With the support of many people, this project has provided hundreds of Christmas gifts annually to local children and recently became a foundation.
Michael Ciccarelli
Employment Coordinator (570) 327-9070Email Michael Ciccarelli
Mike Ciccarelli graduated from Mansfield University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He now resides in Williamsport with his wife and 2 Labrador retrievers. Mike worked as a TSS coming out of college and then as a Utilization Review manager at White Deer Run after moving back to Williamsport. Currently, Mike is working as the employment coordinator and is looking forward to creating job openings for consumers at the CIL. He enjoys watching football in the winter, playing golf in the summer, and trips to Caribbean at any time no matter what the season!
Shawn Starr
IL Living Services Coordinator (570)327-9070Email Shawn Starr
Shawn Starr began working at CIL in November of 2009 as an Independent Living Services Coordinator. Shawn begun to understand life as a person with a disability in 2003 when she suffered an asthma attack that caused her to flat line for 10 minutes. During this time she had 2 massive strokes due to lack of oxygen to her brain. Due to the antibiotics she was receiving while in her coma she lost 50% of her hearing in both ears. Also, unable to breathe on her own she required intubation. This permanently stretched out her vocal chords, making speech nearly impossible. She first contacted CIL seeking help for a means to communicate. They provided her with a communication device. Using this machine Shawn went back to college at Lock Haven University and graduated with her BS in Biology. She has lived with many neurological disabilities during the 6 years since she flat lined. In doing so she has become familiar with the discriminations and problems that people with disabilities face. Shawn is a highly driven individual. She is hoping to teach others with disabilities to never give up and that they too can achieve their dreams. Shawn is now the Independent Living Services Coordinator for CIL and will have the opportunity to bring her own life skills and positive attitude to others in the same situation. “This is a dream come true for me”, she states, “to have the opportunity to bring hope to peoples’ lives through our services and resources.”
Sheena Mickey
Specialized Services Coord. (570) 327-9070Email Sheena Mickey
Sheena Mickey is the Specialized Services Coordinator for CILNCP. She comes to us with several years experience working in social services. She last worked for Valley View Nursing Center, in Mon-toursville, as a Caseworker. Sheena received her Bachelor of Science Degree, in Psychology, from the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, PA in 2004 Sheena loves spending time with her fiancé, Travis and Golden Retriever, Sadie. She enjoys playing volleyball and softball and watching the Philadelphia Eagles. She is also involved in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk for Clinton/Lycoming Co.
Steve McAnnaney
Autism Coordinator (570) 327-9070Email Steve McAnnaney
Steve McAnnaney (pronounced Mack ‘n’ Annie) began work at the Center for Independent Living in July, 2010 as the Autism Service Coordinator. He recently graduated from Marywood University with a Master’s of Social Work in May and is excited for the opportunity to assist people with autism in achieving their goals. His previous experience with autism includes four years as a TSS where he always had at least one client with autism, and 20 years of experience (and counting) of life as the older brother to a young man with autism. As both a professional and a brother, Steve is eager to play a role in empowering individuals to reach their potentials and in expanding autism services in our area. In his free time (which is becoming increasingly scarce), Steve enjoys working on his Mustang, attempt-ing; but not necessarily completing home improvement projects, volleyball, writing, and spending time with his lovely wife, caring family, and amusing friends.
