Meet Our Staff
Front Row (Left to Right): Deb, Kathy, Annette, Shanda, Ted, Melissa
Back Row (Left to Right): Adam, Ruth, Jen, Shelby, Teri, Harry, Dan, Marie
Not Pictured: Linda
Melissa, Executive Director
Melissa Doherty
Melissa is our Executive Director and has been with SWCIL since 2006. Prior to working with SWCIL Melissa worked in hospice care, home healthcare, hospitality, and served in the Minnesota National Guard.
"Working at a Center for Independent Living, we get to promote a person's right to live the life they choose and to be afforded the dignity of risk. Our team works very hard to serve others and exemplify our mission through their work."
Melissa is our Executive Director and has been with SWCIL since 2006. Prior to working with SWCIL Melissa worked in hospice care, home healthcare, hospitality, and served in the Minnesota National Guard.
"Working at a Center for Independent Living, we get to promote a person's right to live the life they choose and to be afforded the dignity of risk. Our team works very hard to serve others and exemplify our mission through their work."
Annette Swanson
Annette is our Grants & Financial Manager and SWCIL extraordinaire, with over 30 years experience working at SWCIL.
Annette is our Grants & Financial Manager and SWCIL extraordinaire, with over 30 years experience working at SWCIL.
Jen, Independent Living Program Manager
Jen Thovson
Jen is the Independent Living Program Manager and a CDCS Support Planner.
Jen has 3 kids and enjoys attending their sporting events. If she's not watching sports she is probably playing them, especially basketball and volleyball. Jen is an exercise fiend and starts her day at 4:30am to get her daily dose in!
Jen is the Independent Living Program Manager and a CDCS Support Planner.
Jen has 3 kids and enjoys attending their sporting events. If she's not watching sports she is probably playing them, especially basketball and volleyball. Jen is an exercise fiend and starts her day at 4:30am to get her daily dose in!
Linda, CDCS and Veteran's Directed Program Manager
Linda L. Halbur
Linda is our Program Manager for our Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) Support Planner Program and Veterans Directed Care Program. She has a passion for others and has worked in human services all of her professional life. Linda and her husband live on a crop and cattle farm in Southwestern MN. She loves the space to have her four daughters, their husbands and wonderful grandchildren come to visit and play.
“I love working with SWCIL because as an agency the people we serve are our top priority. We are here to support others in their pursuit of their goals and dreams. "
Linda is our Program Manager for our Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) Support Planner Program and Veterans Directed Care Program. She has a passion for others and has worked in human services all of her professional life. Linda and her husband live on a crop and cattle farm in Southwestern MN. She loves the space to have her four daughters, their husbands and wonderful grandchildren come to visit and play.
“I love working with SWCIL because as an agency the people we serve are our top priority. We are here to support others in their pursuit of their goals and dreams. "
Adam, Ramp and Assistive Technology Program Manager
Adam Chandler
Adam is our Ramp and Assistive Technology Program Manager.
Adam was born and raised locally. He was in the construction industry for seven years and the agricultural field for almost a decade before coming to SWCIL. Adam loves spending time with family more than anything and will never say no to a trip across the country or even just the state.
"This has been a big change for me but one I have been excited to take on. So far my time with SWCIL has been amazing — full of great people that never fail to do amazing work. Stop by and see me sometime. I look forward to meeting you!"
Adam is our Ramp and Assistive Technology Program Manager.
Adam was born and raised locally. He was in the construction industry for seven years and the agricultural field for almost a decade before coming to SWCIL. Adam loves spending time with family more than anything and will never say no to a trip across the country or even just the state.
"This has been a big change for me but one I have been excited to take on. So far my time with SWCIL has been amazing — full of great people that never fail to do amazing work. Stop by and see me sometime. I look forward to meeting you!"
Jennifer, Community Projects Coordinator
Jennifer Cox
Jennifer is our Community Projects Coordinator. She loves creating and overseeing projects to help our consumers. She has a passion for helping people that led to her being a foster parent. Jennifer loves spending time with all her kids. When she has some time to herself, she loves reading and gardening.
“I get to spend my days finding new ways to help people which is amazing. The fact that I get to work with the best people is a huge blessing!”
Deb, Administrative Assistant
Deb Gratz
Deb is our Administrative Assistant. Deb is an organizational wizard and keeps us all on top of our game. When Deb isn't busy being awesome, she enjoys gardening with her husband and spending time with their kids and grandkids!
"Working at SWCIL for the past six years has been a huge blessing to me. The integrity and dedication of staff that work to respond to the ever changing needs of persons with disabilities makes it a rewarding and enjoyable place to work.”
Deb is our Administrative Assistant. Deb is an organizational wizard and keeps us all on top of our game. When Deb isn't busy being awesome, she enjoys gardening with her husband and spending time with their kids and grandkids!
"Working at SWCIL for the past six years has been a huge blessing to me. The integrity and dedication of staff that work to respond to the ever changing needs of persons with disabilities makes it a rewarding and enjoyable place to work.”
Marie, Independent Living Specialist
Marie Grengs
Marie is an Independent Living Specialist and Benefits Coach serving the Granite Falls, Montevideo, and Clarkfield areas.
Marie is a dedicated mom to 3 children and enjoys spending her time doing photography and outdoor activities. When asked what she liked best about providing benefit coaching at SWCIL Marie said,
"I like being able to help consumers navigate their options for benefits and helping make sure they can work and be successful without having to give up on the resources they need."
Marie is an Independent Living Specialist and Benefits Coach serving the Granite Falls, Montevideo, and Clarkfield areas.
Marie is a dedicated mom to 3 children and enjoys spending her time doing photography and outdoor activities. When asked what she liked best about providing benefit coaching at SWCIL Marie said,
"I like being able to help consumers navigate their options for benefits and helping make sure they can work and be successful without having to give up on the resources they need."
Ruth, Independent Living Specialist
Ruth Hubbling
Ruth is an Independent Living Specialist serving the Worthington and Slayton areas.
Ruth enjoys spending time with family and friends and read any moments she can. Ruth is a crafter and has been blessed with a friend that continues to let her sell projects at her occasional store and a partner who ignores the constant project mess.
"The best part of working with SWCIL is the ability to work with incredible people that are continually striving to live their best lives."
Ruth is an Independent Living Specialist serving the Worthington and Slayton areas.
Ruth enjoys spending time with family and friends and read any moments she can. Ruth is a crafter and has been blessed with a friend that continues to let her sell projects at her occasional store and a partner who ignores the constant project mess.
"The best part of working with SWCIL is the ability to work with incredible people that are continually striving to live their best lives."
Harry Remley
Harry is our Peer Mentor serving the Marshall Area. Harry loves to socialize, have fun, and make jokes. Harry loves his cat - including dressing her up in wacky outfits. Harry can't wait to meet you!
Harry is our Peer Mentor serving the Marshall Area. Harry loves to socialize, have fun, and make jokes. Harry loves his cat - including dressing her up in wacky outfits. Harry can't wait to meet you!
Ted, Independent Living Advocate
Ted Stamp
Ted is our Independent Living Advocate, and a recent author of a memoir titled This Was Just the Way. Ted has been advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities in the Marshall community and region in a variety of areas for over a decade, including serving on many local, regional, and statewide committees.
Ted is our Independent Living Advocate, and a recent author of a memoir titled This Was Just the Way. Ted has been advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities in the Marshall community and region in a variety of areas for over a decade, including serving on many local, regional, and statewide committees.
Dan, Independent Living Specialist
Dan Wahl
Dan is an Independent Living Specialist serving the Windom and Walnut Grove Areas.
Dan is an artist and writer who grew up in the prairieland of southwest Minnesota. His life roles have included ag research assistant, college professor, warehouse forklift operator, English as a Second Language teacher, bartender, library assistant, apartment maintenance and repair person, public relations director, punk band singer, welfare file clerk, newspaper photographer and writer, radio station deejay, and pizza delivery driver – not to mention happy husband, pretty good son, and proud father of four of the world’s greatest kids. He also has first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to struggle with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
“My life experiences add to my ability to serve,” he said.
Dan is an Independent Living Specialist serving the Windom and Walnut Grove Areas.
Dan is an artist and writer who grew up in the prairieland of southwest Minnesota. His life roles have included ag research assistant, college professor, warehouse forklift operator, English as a Second Language teacher, bartender, library assistant, apartment maintenance and repair person, public relations director, punk band singer, welfare file clerk, newspaper photographer and writer, radio station deejay, and pizza delivery driver – not to mention happy husband, pretty good son, and proud father of four of the world’s greatest kids. He also has first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to struggle with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
“My life experiences add to my ability to serve,” he said.
Shanda, Independent Living Specialist
Shanda Walker
Shanda is an Independent Living Specialist and CDCS Support Planner serving the Marshall, Tracy, and Tyler Areas.
Shanda is the mom of two beautiful humans and two equally awesome furbabies. She enjoys spending time with her hubby and kids, playing volleyball, hiking, kayaking, being outside and reading loads of books. She loves Minnesota winters and hates pickles.
"My favorite part of my job is providing outreach and information to our service communities. I love telling people about the amazing things SWCIL staff do every day!"
Shanda is an Independent Living Specialist and CDCS Support Planner serving the Marshall, Tracy, and Tyler Areas.
Shanda is the mom of two beautiful humans and two equally awesome furbabies. She enjoys spending time with her hubby and kids, playing volleyball, hiking, kayaking, being outside and reading loads of books. She loves Minnesota winters and hates pickles.
"My favorite part of my job is providing outreach and information to our service communities. I love telling people about the amazing things SWCIL staff do every day!"
Teri, Independent Living Specialist
Teri Woelfel
Teri is an Independent Living Specialist serving Redwood County.
Teri is a mom to twin boys, both with disabilities, and has spent over 25 years serving the disability community. She is a strong advocate for individuals with any kind of disability.
Teri’s sons are the most important people in her life and she enjoys spending as much time as possible with them.
Teri is an Independent Living Specialist serving Redwood County.
Teri is a mom to twin boys, both with disabilities, and has spent over 25 years serving the disability community. She is a strong advocate for individuals with any kind of disability.
Teri’s sons are the most important people in her life and she enjoys spending as much time as possible with them.
Inclusive Fitness Club
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2019 Halloween Dance
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Visiting our Representatives
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