Originally called Boone County Independent Living, Inc. (BCIL), the founding board of directors was created by and mostly composed of parents of local disabled children. Founding board member Dr. Lowell Williams recalled that BCIL was created because the parents of local children with disabilities got information about other out-of-town group home programs and wanted something similar here. Ken Reeves, BCIL’s attorney when the agency began, said many of the first residents in the BCIL homes were clients of the workshop at Boone County Special Services (BCSS), and “The group homes were built near BCSS so clients didn’t have too far to travel from the workshop to home. Some mentally disabled clients had families, while others didn’t, and some outlive their parents and need someone to take care of them. The group homes provided alternative homes for these people.” He drew up the articles of incorporation, and government funding was located.

Founding board member Rita Williams remembers planning the group homes. She was on the decorating committee and decided the colors for the homes and helped pick out the furniture. She remembers planting flowers in the backyard. Williams said, “I remember the open houses, and the excitement and pride that not only the workers and residents felt, but also the community.”

Today, we continue to take great pride in our group homes. Executive Director Korin Westcott says, “Our group homes continue to serve a vital need in this community, giving 18 residents a very comfortable and pleasant place to live. We are grateful that the vision of the founding board was realized, and that the quality of the homes lives on.”

In 2007, the board of directors made the decision to remove Boone County from our name in order to reflect our expansion into other counties. ILI is licensed to deliver services in 6 counties, and has begun efforts to educate those communities about services that are available to them through ILI.