Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living
Empowering individuals with disabilities and seniors to improve the quality of their lives
Kirt has been employed by EOCIL as its chief executive officer since its inception in 2000. Kirt is a graduate of the University of San Francisco (USF), where he earned his executive masters of management and disability services. The development of EOCIL in eastern Oregon was the focus of his dissertation at USF. Kirt received his certificate in employment services in 2005 from Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation Western Washington University and Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE).
Kirt began his disability-related service career in 1986, when he joined a company that assists seniors with activities of daily living and developed programs to enhance or maintain their independence. In 1990, he moved on to assisting individuals with multiple disabilities with transitioning from the state residential-based hospital to less restrictive community-based residential environments. In 1993, he started working with an organization that provides employment training for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Overall Kirt has over 24 years of disability-related work experience. Contact Kirt at ktoombs@eocil.org.
Heidi Eidler has been with EOCIL since 2002 serving individuals with HIV/AIDS residing in rural eastern Oregon.
She was born and raised in South Africa, graduated from secondary school in Namibia and as an adult went to college in Austria, where she received her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in psychology. During her college years, Heidi worked in the social services field providing services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Heidi has accumulated extensive HIV/AIDS service delivery experience and knowledge after working in rural communities across Africa, Europe and Brazil in the 1980s. She immigrated to the United States in 2000.
Heidi started working with an organization in Ontario, Oregon, that provides employment training for individuals with cognitive disabilities, as an employment specialist, job developer and job carver. In 2002, Heidi was project manager for expanding EOCIL services in Umatilla, Oregon. In 2004, Heidi was a team leader for the Project with Industries (PWI) grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. The PWI project was successful in obtaining 65 employment placements for people with disabilities.
Heidi has been a member of the HIV Care Coalition and is now a member of the Integrated Planning Group (IPG), a coalition addressing HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections. She is currently on the board of UMALT (Umatilla, Morrow Alternatives), a human dignity group serving minority groups in rural Oregon. She brings to her role a literal world of experience and a passion for advocating for self-management of people living with HIV/AIDS outside metropolitan areas.
Contact Heidi at heidieidler@eocil.org.
Patty began her employment with EOCIL in May of 2000 as an on-call independent living specialist. In June 2004 she joined EOCIL full time and now serves as director of administrative services.
Patty began her career in 1983 providing in-home supports for an individual living with a spinal cord injury. In 1986, she started working with an organization that assists seniors with activities of daily living and developed programs to enhance or maintain their independence. In 1990, she transitioned to a company that provides independent living skills training to individuals with cognitive disabilities, and in 1995, she joined a program that managed two residential homes for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Patty was responsible for the overall management of residential services, which consisted of assisting each resident with developing an individualized plan for acquiring skills and transitioning into a less restrictive home setting. Overall she has over 27 years of disability-related work experience.
Contact Patty at pattytoombs@eocil.org.
Jennifer Bonnell coordinates with the Work Incentives Network (WIN) to provide a "one-stop" source of information and assistance that reduces the fear and misunderstanding about the effect that working has on benefits; helps prevent crises when change occurs; and improves employment and economic outcomes. Passionate about EOCIL and its possibilities, Jennifer provides WIN services that help people receiving Social Security or other benefits make informed decisions about work and their benefits so they can be sure that getting a job will be a good choice! She has been certified through WIN for over 2-1/2 years.
Before joining EOCIL in August 2007, Jennifer worked for 25 years for a diverse range of organizations, including Head Start and the City of Ontario. Her varied background provides the perfect foundation for her to share with others information on how working could affect public benefits.
Contact Jennifer by e-mail at jbonnell@eocil.org or by phone at 541-889-3119 or toll-free 1-866-248-8369.
Carey has been active with EOCIL since 2000 and joined EOCIL in 2010 as support staff.
Carey is an active alumnus of Ontario High School and lifelong resident of Malheur County. She has extensive experience advocating for the fair treatment and rights of individuals in sheltered workshops. Carey enjoys attending sporting events, spending time with her family, and caring for her dogs.
Raquel joined EOCIL in May 2009 and manages EOCIL’s life transition services, recreation services and On-the-Move (community integration program) in Oregon. She is also one of EOCIL’s certified STEPS trainers (Self-empowerment Training for individuals who Employ homecare workers and who are People with disabilities or Seniors).
Contact Raquel by e-mail at Raquel.kuehne@eocil.org or by phone at 541-889-3119 or toll-free 1-866-248-8369.
Alison Millar has worked in tandem for over six years with Heidi Eidler providing HIV services, and joined EOCIL formally in 2009.
Alison completed her nursing degree at Walla Walla Community College in 2000 and also has a B.A. from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. She has had extensive experience serving children with developmental, emotional and physical disabilities through Service Alternatives for Washington, in group care facilities and as a licensed foster parent. Prior to working with EOCIL, and continuing now on a part-time basis, Alison has worked at Lourdes Counseling Center in the adult inpatient unit serving patients with acute psychiatric issues. Helping people with unique challenges attain and maintain optimal physical and emotional health, independence and fulfillment has always been a passion of hers: "I am delighted to be with an organization with such a commitment to this population."
Alison also enjoys spending time hiking with her sweetheart, Dave, and relaxing with her furry sweetheart, Bella, as well as gardening, reading and looking for antiques.
Contact Alison at alisonmillar@eocil.org.
Heidi Ragsdale joined EOCIL in 2007. Heidi provides the five core services and serves as EOCIL's ADA compliance reviewer. Her previous work history includes 12 years' experience in law enforcement and corrections.
Contact Heidi by e-mail at heidiragsdale@eocil.org or by phone at 541-889-3119 or toll-free 1-866-248-8369.
Julie joined EOCIL in June 2010. Her educational background is in developmental and social psychology, with an interest in issues that arise as people age. She has worked as a health services researcher and evaluation specialist and has served on several boards in the area of medical ethics, developmental disabilities and aging services. Julie now works as an IL specialist for people of all ages from the EOCIL office in The Dalles, serving clients from Wasco, Hood River and Sherman counties.
Contact Julie at juliereynolds@eocil.org.
Linda joined EOCIL in 2008 as an independent living specialist.
Linda’s early career experience began in Baker City, Oregon, as a fiscal bookkeeper for her family’s logging business. In 1985, she began a career in retail clothing sales for larger sizes and specialized in merchandising. She quickly learned the trade and became store manager.
In 1995, ready for something different, she began working at a domestic violence center as a facilitator for their 12-step program, and also worked in crisis intervention and as volunteer coordinator. In 1998, Linda joined a team that taught the cognitive self-change program in the prison system until that program ended. She moved to Pendleton, Oregon, in 2003 where she worked as community resource specialist at a community development program developing a rapport with local service providers and building a library of contacts.
In 2009, a year after first coming to EOCIL, Linda transferred to the position of work incentives coordinator. In this role she provided assistance to individuals receiving Social Security or other benefits to help them make informed decisions about their benefits and employment. Linda successfully provided these individuals information and assistance that reduced the fear and misunderstanding about the effect that working has on benefits. She helped clients prevent crises when change occurs and improved employment and economic outcomes.
In 2011, Linda transitioned back into the role of independent living specialist, where she provides the five core services to people with disabilities and promotes the independent living philosophy.
Contact Linda at lindavalentine@eocil.org.
Sylvia was one of EOCIL’s original board members in 1999 at the center’s inception. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Sylvia volunteered at the EOCIL office answering phones, doing outreach, and taking care of any clerical work that needed doing. She finished her term and then decided to apply at EOCIL for the office support staff position and began working for EOCIL in 2001.
Sylvia is active in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and was named Woman of the Year in 2002. She also serves on the board of directors for St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ontario and volunteers for Special Olympics and Help Them to Hope.
Contact Sylvia at sylviawenke@eocil.org.
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