Empowering people with disabilities to achieve free and independent lives
Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living (TLCIL) is a grass roots, not for profit, civil rights organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities gain equal access to the communities they live in. We believe that everyone deserves to live well, and participate fully in the communities that they live in.
TLCIL is a peer run organization. This means that we understand what people with disabilities face because we too have been there. Over half of our Board of Directors has a disability, and over half of our staff has a disability too.
Our center has been proudly serving the Saranac Lake region comprising both Franklin and Essex counties for over 10 years.
Mary Lamica
Interim Executive Director
Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living
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Community
Relations
Building a Greater Community
TLCIL is not just here to assist individuals with disabilities. We are also here to help business owners, housing providers, private and public service providers, and all other members of the community find ways to build bridges between the disability community and the greater area community.
We can help Housing Providers:
- Understand and come into compliance with the ADA and FHA
- Work out issues with tenants
- Understand how reasonable accommodations work
- By helping your tenants secure rental assistance
- By helping your tenants apply for HUD
We can help Businesses:
- Understand the value of employing individuals with disabilities
- Understand what reasonable accommodations are in the work place
- Determine how to make sure their businesses are accessible to the over 10,000 individuals with disabilities in Franklin and Essex counties
- Take advantage of tax breaks available for making modifications for the purpose of accessibility
- By advertising your business on our webpage so that people with disabilities, and the rest of the community know that you are accessible
- By teaching your staff disability etiquette
Please contact us to find out more about these services and how to have your business recognized on our website.
Our Team
Our staff members are here to help.
Mary Lamica
Interim Executive Director
Mary Lamica began working at the TLCIL in 2018 as an Independent Living Specialist. She became Program Manager at TLCIL in 2019, and Interim Executive Director in 2024. Prior to working for TLCIL, Mary worked in human services and also worked as a nurse. Mary has a BS from Empire State College and is a Cornell University certified work incentive practitioner. Mary finds nothing more rewarding than helping people with disabilities.
Susan Forrette
Administrative Assistant
Susan Forrette joined the TLCIL in 2018. She received an Associate degree in Human Services from North Country Community College, in Saranac Lake NY. Her time at NCCC also presented her the opportunity to work on an internship at the local Mountain Crest Club. Susan has an extensive background in customer service, mainly for highly rated hotels in the reservations/front desk departments. Susan is the friendly voice you hear when you call TLCIL.
Tena Euber
Independent Living Specialist
Tena Euber is an Independent Living Specialist and has been employed at TLCIL since August 7, 2017. Prior to working at TLCIL Tena worked as a Direct Support Professional advocating for people with special needs. Tena earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services at NCCC on May 13, 2017.
Sarah Hyman
Independent Living Specialist
Sarah started working at TLCIL in early August 2023 as an Independent Living Specialist with a focus on Peer Mentoring. Sarah comes from an art background with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts Illustration. Sarah also has a long history of customer service. She has a passion for helping people and is very happy to have joined the TLCIL team.
Angela Warner
Independent Living Specialist
Angela Warner is an Independent Living Specialist and joined TLCIL in 2023. Prior to working at TLCIL Angela worked within the community as a PRS providing mental health services to children and families. As a PRS Angela found much pleasure in helping others develop skills to be independent in the community. Angela’s work in human services has led to a passion for advocating and educating the community. Angela also has a back ground in hospitality management.
Board of Directors
Our leadership
Laura Kinney
{Pending Election}
Kara Ott
Roxanne McCarty
Michael Northrup
Lisa Keegan
Robert Miller
Luke Meissner
Our History
The Tri Lakes Center for Independent Living is a team of individuals, including a disabled majority, working together to fulfill our vision of empowering people with disabilities with the resources to fan the spark of freedom into flames through education, access, advocacy, inclusion, and unity.
Click the above image to enlarge it.
2002 - Origins
TLCIL was founded in 2002 as a joint project between the North Country Center for Independence and the Massena Independent Living Center. The purpose of the project was to bring a disability rights organization to the Tri-Lakes are here in the Adirondacks. The center was located in Raybrook, NY.
2005 - Incorporated
TLCIL became incorporated and independent from its parent centers in 2005.
2007 - SARANAC LAKE
TLCIL moved its office from Raybrook NY to 43 Broadway in Saranac Lake NY in 2007. This relocation was to provide easier access to TLCIL for consumers with transportation issues.
2017 - 150 Served
In 2017, TLCIL served over 150 consumers for the first time in its history.
2018 - 250 Served
In 2018, TLCIL served over 250 consumers for the first time in its history.
2019 - 350 Served
In 2019, TLCIL served over 350 consumers for the first time in its history.
2020 - 500 Served
In 2020, TLCIL served over 500 consumers for the first time in its history.
2021 - 100 Served
Essex County
In 2021 TLCIL served over 100 consumers in Essex County for the first time in its history.