Voices For Independence

08/28/2026

🇺🇸 ATTN all veterans: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning veterans and their spouses about a postcard promising extra monthly benefits. However, the “Veterans Savings Program” mentioned in the postcard doesn’t actually exist. It’s a scammer phishing for personal or financial information.

✉️ While the postcard might list the state you’re living in and mention real VA benefits like CHAMPVA or TRICARE For Life, those programs are simply being mentioned in an effort to make the mailing look legitimate and trick veterans into sharing personal information like your Social Security Number or bank account details.

📬 If you receive a postcard like this:
• Don’t respond. Legitimate VA communications will not pressure you to respond immediately or give sensitive information over the phone.
• Contact the VA directly if you have questions about your benefits. Always use a number you know is real-- never the one on the postcard. Start with the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000.
• Spread the word. Scammers typically don’t just contact one person. Sharing this advice can help others in your community spot and avoid the scam. Sign up for email updates to get the latest on scams like this one at MilitaryConsumer.gov.

❗ If you spot this or another VA benefits scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the VA at VSAFE.gov or 1-833-38V-SAFE.

Veterans across the country have reported getting postcards in the mail saying they (or their spouse) might qualify for extra monthly veterans benefits. But the “Veterans Savings Program” mentioned in the mailer doesn’t actually exist. It’s just a scammer phishing for personal or financial i...

08/27/2026

📢 ATTN friends in PA's 12th Congressional District (Allegheny & Westmoreland Counties): A friendly reminder that at 6:30pm TODAY, Rep. Summer Lee will be hosting a live Tele-Town Hall to discuss affordability.

🔗 Please see the link in the shared post below to RSVP with the best phone number to reach you. You'll then receive a call at 6:30pm, where you'll be directly connected to the town hall. While questions from callers will be fielded live, you may also submit your questions in advance at said link.

Everything costs too damn much. Let’s talk about it. On Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 PM ET, Congresswoman Summer Lee is hosting a live Tele-Town Hall to talk directly with people across PA-12 about the affordability crisis hitting our communities. From housing and groceries to healthcare, childcare...

08/26/2026

🗓 As we close out the month of August, we're happy to share our VFI September 2026 Activities Calendar with all of you! As always, the calendar features all activities through our group peer support programs in our Erie office! Check out the direct links below for either a full-size image or a text-based calendar, to learn more about what the Erie office has planned!

🖼️ Large-format Image: https://www.vficil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VFI-ERIE-SEPTEMBER-2026-ACTIVITIES-CALENDAR.png
📝 Text-based Calendar: https://www.vficil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VFI-ERIE-SEPTEMBER-2026-ACTIVITIES-CALENDAR.docx

✅ Please note-- for any questions, information, or to RSVP, simply contact Tiff or Rachel at (814) 983-9634. We hope to see you all soon!

08/24/2026

💼🤝 If you missed last week's post about the Ticket to Work program, or if you simply would like to learn more about entering the workforce as an individual with a disability, we have great news-- Our friends at Choose Work! will be hosting a free webinar this Wednesday, August 26, at 3pm!

🔗 Check out the shared post below to learn more/register for this virtual event, and be sure to contact our Employment Services Manager, Valkyrie, at the one of the following numbers, depending on where you're located:
• VFI Erie Office (814) 874-0064
• VFI Washington Office (724) 223-5115

Register for this month’s webinar!
Join us for our FREE webinar, “What Is Ticket to Work?” on August 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET

Discover how the Ticket to Work Program can support your journey in the workforce – with valuable insights and resources.

Register now: https://choosework.ssa.gov/wise/

08/24/2026

🚨 ICYMI: This past Saturday, we held our 6th annual VFI No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge, presented by PA Health & Wellness, right here at the Voices for Independence Erie office!

🙏 Thanks to our good friends at Erie News Now for their coverage of this event-- check out the attached link to see our segment now! And thank you again to all of the incredible sponsors & supporters who helped bring this event to life. Please see our previous post, spotlighting all of these great organizations.

💪 To all of the athletes who braved a bit of rain early on and pushed through to the finish line, we couldn't do this without you-- thank you for being a part of this year's No Limits event, and we look forward to seeing you in our Adaptive Fitness Center before next year!

The No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge brought people with and without disabilities together to participate side-by-side, promoting inclusion, fitness and community for everyone.

08/22/2026

🎉 TODAY IS THE DAY-- We are just 10 MINUTES AWAY from the 6th Annual VFI No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge, presented by PA Health & Wellness! Voices for Independence would like to thank the many sponsors and supporters of today's event, without whom, this incredible annual event simply could not happen on this large of a scale:

• PA Health & Wellness
• AmeriHealth Caritas | Health Choices
• The Hitzges/Ferrell/Balon Family
• Accudyn
• UPMC Health Plan
• GECAC Greater Erie Community Action Committee
• We ♥️ Bradley Dart
• HMA Mortgage
• Building Systems, Inc. (BSI)
• The Kyle and Lally Strayer Family Foundation (Erie Strayer)
• A Waffle Miracle
• Erie SeaWolves
• Logistics Plus Inc.
• Knorr Electric
• Leadhead Screenprinting
• Erie Encore Entertainment
• And all of the incredible participants in today's event!
Thank you all for your continued support of our organization and those we serve!

08/22/2026

⌛ Join us TOMORROW MORNING for the long-awaited return of one of our favorite events-- the VFI No Limits Adaptive Fitness Challenge, presented by PA Health & Wellness!

🗓️ Tomorrow morning, Saturday, August 22 at 10am, we are proud to host our 6th annual No Limits event-- a multi-station fitness challenge, right here at the VFI Erie office (1432 Wilkins Rd, Erie, PA 16505)! This is your LAST CALL to register online, or you may also do so at the door. Online link: https://www.vficil.org/no-limits-featured/ Your registration will include participation in the fitness challenge, along with a t-shirt, drawstring bag, water bottle, finisher medal, and entries to our incredible array of raffle baskets!

🤝 And don't forget-- if you'd like to support our event, but can't compete tomorrow, you can still donate to our Fitness & Wellness department to support not only the event, but our Fitness Center, which allows individuals with disabilities to exercise with adaptive equipment and live a healthy lifestyle year-round! Donations can be made HERE: https://www.vficil.org/no-limits-donations/

💪 This event is for individuals of ALL abilities, so you can take part at YOUR level of comfort! Dedicated fitness staff will be on hand, working to ensure that you get the most out of the challenge. Great music will also be provided by Erie Encore Entertainment and there will be delicious food available from A Waffle Miracle.

🌅 SEE YOU IN THE MORNING!

08/21/2026

🙌 Consumer Mark Duffy, aka "Duffy," started his own nonprofit, 25FortyPgh, to help individuals in need. Check out the video below as he explains the process of how he navigated 25fortyPGH's humble beginnings of being able to provide food, beverages, and much more to those in the community-- even allowing the ability for individuals to receive help anonymously. Duffy states, "I may not be able to button my pants, but I can feed families I don't know."

08/19/2026

⚖️ A friendly reminder to VFI Erie consumers: Running in conjunction with tomorrow's Consumer Pig Roast (must RSVP via invite to attend), we will be hosting the incredible team at Disability Rights Pennsylvania for a disability rights legal clinic! This clinic is free, thanks to grant funding from the Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts Board.

🤝 If you're stopping by for the Consumer Pig Roast and you have legal questions regarding disability rights and services, set aside some time to stop by our gym from 11am-2pm, where you can meet with someone who can provide info, advice, referrals, and more.

🔗 DRP Website: https://www.disabilityrightspa.org/
• Live Intake Phone Number: 800-692-7443
• Live intake hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs - 9am-3pm ∙ Fri - 9am-12pm

08/19/2026

♿ Do you have a disability and you're looking to enter the workforce, but you don't where to start? Voices for Independence can help! Click on the video from our friends at Choose Work! below to learn more about the Ticket to Work program, and contact our Employment Services Manager, Valkyrie, at the one of the following numbers, depending on where you're located:

• Erie Office (814) 874-0064
• Washington Office (724) 223-5115

🤝💼 Call us today to learn more about what Voices for Independence can do for YOU!

This video introduces the Ticket to Work Program, including who is ...