About Independence Rising
ndependence Rising, IR, was formerly known as Center for Independent Living of Central Nebraska. We serve 50 counties in Central and Western Nebraska. We are one of two federally funded independent living centers in Nebraska
Independence Rising’s services are offered free of charge, on a sliding fee scale, and fee for service. We work with consumers to help them achieve their chosen, community-based living goals. Consumers of the agency have a disabling condition where more resources are needed in order to achieve their chosen community-based living goals.
Independence Rising serves persons with disabilities across the age span with any type of disabling condition.
Administration
We have staff across the state committed to providing quality services.
Irene has worked with Independence Rising, cumulatively, since 2000 and she has been the Executive Director since January 2017. She has worked in various positions in the agency including services coordination, resource developer, and as a Program Manager/Supervisor for the DHHS contract for services coordination of the Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver. During this time, she oversaw the Waiver program and staff in Independence Rising offices located in Grand Island, Lexington, Ogallala, and Broken Bow. In 2011, Irene assumed the position of Program Manager for Independence Rising’s independent living program which included, at a minimum, working with consumers and involvement in community groups throughout the 39 county territory. Irene is also a certified driving instructor and has conducted driving evaluations and lessons for consumers of the agency. Throughout her career, Irene has also worked as an Associate Public Guardian for the Nebraska Office of Public Guardian, provided family support services for families working with Child Protective Services, as well as worked as a teacher in various public and private school classrooms including as an elementary
and early-childhood educator and substitute teacher.
Irene has been a volunteer for different groups. She has been a CASA volunteer for Lincoln County CASA, a Board Member for L2ForKids for the North Platte Chapter, a Vacation Bible School Director, and a Girl Scout Service Unit Manager and a Girl Scout Leader. Irene is the fifth generation of her family to live on her family’s ranch in southwest Nebraska. She enjoys reading, taking college courses as she works towards getting her counseling endorsement, spending time with her children and pets, creating artwork, meditation, music, and running.

Helena received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Marketing Management from the University Nebraska at Kearney in 2015 and then went on to pursue her Master of Human Services from Chadron State College in 2020. Helena is now studying for her Society for Human Resource Management certification within the Human Resources field.
Helena started out working with individuals and their families that have developmental disabilities as a medical Case Manager, from there Helena went on to work at DHHS as a Child and Families Services Case Manager. Helena worked with children that have been removed from their homes as an Ongoing Case Manager. Helena then assumed the role of Program Coordinator at West Central Agency on Aging and oversaw the Senior Centers and various programs within the West Central Area, providing training on evidence-based programs. Helena took a break from the non-profit world and went to work at the American Heart Association as a Youth Market Director and worked with Children and Educators across Nebraska on how to remain heart healthy.
Helena also is President of Business and Professional Women in North Platte, which works families to provide scholarships for non-traditional students throughout the North Platte area.
Helena’s describes her skills and strengths as being able to easily connect with people and make them feel comfortable. Helena also believes her strengths lie within training and employee development.
In her spare time Helena enjoys watching reality TV, reading, shopping, and playing with her cat, Jinx. Helena’s favorite thing about working with children and families is knowing that she can make a difference in the lives of the people she works with.


Vicki was born and raised in Nebraska. Vicki enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs, Rocco and Ginger, her family, attending great nephews and great nieces sporting events and is an avid Husker fan.


Melissa works as the Youth Programs Specialist and is a Direct Supervisor for the Family Support Program. She is involved in Marketing, Quality Assurance, assists with training new employees, sits on the administrative team for the Peer Program, Family Support Program, assists with mentoring workers, and co-facilitates the adult support group and will eventually have a youth involved support group as well. Melissa was hired on to assist with opening an upcoming project, a YOUTH SHELTER FOR GIRLS in Maxwell.
Melissa is the mother of 6, and Grandmother of 3 with one on the way. Melissa and her husband Terry, also a part-time as an Independent Living Specialist have years of experience working with at-risk youth. Her passion is at-risk teenagers and is raising 3 adopted children with mental health challenges. She is also involved in the Guardians of the Children Flatrock Chapter, a motorcycle organization devoted to recognizing and reacting to child abuse and assisting in bringing awareness to the ever-growing problem of child abuse.
Melissa has 17 years of experience and training working in the field of family support doing supervised visits and working within the home with families and children involved in the foster care system as well as drug testing and working as a tracker GPS monitor, youth in shelter and group home settings and as a Family Support Specialist with youth on probation.
Melissa is also involved in the CAPC council, Systems of Care, and Inner Agency in Lincoln County. She was previously employed as a privately contracted juvenile tracker, peer support specialist, and family support worker for numerous agencies in the area over the last 11 years.
Melissa is passionate about at-risk youth and is responsible for the name “BACK on TRACK” as it was the name of the probation program she and her husband were going to attempt to get started after the Boys and Girls Home closed in 2010. Terry became ill and the dream was unable to be reached. Melissa also assisted in naming the TAPS support group.



Functional Family Facilitators
“Providing facilitation and support for families in transition, with an emphasis on the needs and value of each family member, in order for families to meet their unique community living goals.”

Are you Dedicated, Hardworking, and Enjoy Helping Others Reach Their Goals? Join Us!
We are currently hiring for Functional Family Facilitator. Please fill out our application through the link below.