Celebrating 25 Years of Independent Living in Southern Maryland

Independence Now salutes our friends at the Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living (SMCIL) on their 25th anniversary!

A wonderful gala was held on October 10 in Waldorf, Maryland, where community members gathered to honor SMCIL’s incredible impact and dedication to people with disabilities across the region. The evening featured reflections on the organization’s accomplishments, a silent auction, and heartfelt tributes to their board, staff, and consumers—the people who make SMCIL’s mission possible every day.

Based in Mechanicsville, Maryland, SMCIL provides programs and advocacy to support people with disabilities in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Over the past 25 years, they’ve empowered thousands of individuals to live independently and fully participate in their communities.

We’re proud to celebrate this important milestone with SMCIL and look forward to seeing their continued leadership in the years ahead.

For more information about SMCIL and their services, visit smcil.org.

Images: Photos from the Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living’s 25th Anniversary Gala, featuring speakers, award presentations, and attendees celebrating the organization’s milestone in Waldorf, Maryland. (Alt text embedded in individual images.)

A larger group of people—some standing, one seated in a power wheelchair—pose together under a balloon arch in shades of silver, navy, and gold. They are dressed in formal and semi-formal attire, smiling broadly.

A man in a dark suit speaks at a podium, holding a microphone and gesturing expressively while addressing the audience.

Three women stand on stage smiling, one holding an award plaque. All are dressed in elegant navy or blue attire against a curtained backdrop.

Lidiya Belyoyska wears a navy gown and stands near a podium while a man speaks into a microphone and another woman smiles and gestures nearby. A draped curtain backdrop and softly lit room create a celebratory atmosphere.

Three people pose in front of a shimmering silver and navy balloon backdrop. A woman in a red and black floral dress stands beside a smiling woman using a power wheelchair and a man in a blue jacket holding a cane.

Lidiya Belyoyska stands between two women, all together smiling on stage. Lidiya holds a certificate while the two beside her stand close. All three are wearing navy or dark blue dresses, and a light curtain backdrop glows behind them.

A group of eight people dressed in semi-formal and formal attire pose together inside a warmly lit event space. One woman uses a power wheelchair and others stand closely, smiling for the photo.

Five people pose together on stage, including a young girl wearing a “Princess” sash and holding an envelope, surrounded by smiling adults in formal attire.

Celebrating 25 Years of Independent Living in Southern Maryland

Celebrating 25 Years of Independent Living in Southern Maryland

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