Chick-Fil-A True Inspiration Award Winner 2023
Disability Programs and Services
for Southeast Missouri Residents
About Us
Our Mission
SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, Inc. (SADI) is a community-based, non-profit, non-residential center for independent living. SADI serves the counties of Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott and Mississippi. We’re committed to providing services to persons with disabilities, enabling them to remain in their own home and community, not in an institution.
Independent
Living Services
Client
Assistance
Assistive
Technology (AT)
Personal
Care Services
Special Needs
Services
Our philosophy
is simple.
We believe:
Everyone has the right to make his or her own choices.
Everyone has the right to create change in their lives.
Everyone has the right to control their environment.
Eligibility for
Services and Programs
All persons within our service area, regardless of disability, age, race, color, creed, gender, income, or sexual orientation are eligible for our services. There is no fee for our services to consumers and no individual will risk loss of benefits (i.e., SSI or SSDI, Medicaid, etc.) by receiving our services.
What’s Happening at SADI
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars
Oehl’s Fundraiser through 10/20/25
Orders will be accepted now through 10/20/25. Call the office at 573-651-6464 to place an order.
Pickup/Delivery 10/27/25
Shoe Drive Going on Now until 10/31/2025
Do you have gently worn, used or new shoes you no longer need? Give them a second life by donating to our Shoe Drive Event! Drop off at SADI 755 S Kingshighway Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
SEMO Food Bank Mobile Food Bank
October 23, 2025 starting at 1:30pm located at SADI 755 S. Kingshighway Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. For residents of Cape Girardeau County.
Missouri Ship – State Health Insurance Assistant Program
Wednesday November 5, 2025 from 10:00AM-2:00PM Counselors are available for free, unbiased Medicare Counseling. Call 573-651-6464 x 1260
SADI DriveAbility……Now Enrolling – Schedule Your Class Today.
SADI DriveAbility is an inclusive driving school for individuals with or without a disability wanting to increase their independence by using vehicles with and without adaptive modifications.
SADI’S SCHOOL SESSIONS
SOCIAL SKILLS, MONEY AND BUDGETING, HYGIENE AND MORE!
Contact Sara at 573-651-6464 ext. 1252 or [email protected]
A Look Back
Highlights from our Recent Activities
Let's Glow Crazy SADI Special Needs Dance
4/25/25
Let’s Glow Crazy SADI Special Needs Dance
Garden Open House
SADI celebrated the opening of our new sensory garden. Special Thank you to Stork Landscaping.
Advocacy Trip
SADI Advocacy Day! We had a wonderful trip to Jefferson City to advocate on behalf of SADI consumers, all individuals with disabilities, and Centers for Independent Living.
Chick-Fil-A True Inspiration Award Winner 2023
A Wonderful Blessing
2023 Truett Cathy True Inspiration Award
Chick-fil-A started their True Inspiration Award program in 2015 to honor their founder, S. Truett Cathy. Through this program, Chick-fil-A awards grants that range from $30,000 to $350,000 annually to nonprofits that are either nominated by a local Chick-fil-A Owner/Operator or have applied themselves.
In 2022 SADI was nominated by Chick-fil-A Owner/Operator, Brian House, for the 2023 Truett Cathy True Inspiration Award. SADI was planning to build an outdoor sensory garden/recreation area for our day hab consumers to enjoy so we were excited to have a chance at the award. In August of 2022, SADI was notified that we were chosen as one of the finalists and would receive $30,000. We were so excited to have that grant funding to put toward our sensory garden/recreation project. SADI, along with 45 other finalists then competed in a voting contest through the Chick-fil-A app where the public could vote on the organization of their choice to receive the top award.
In November 2022, Chick-fil-A contacted SADI saying they wanted to throw a “Planting Party” for day hab consumers in honor of the sensory garden project. Our $30,000 check would be presented to us that day. Chick-fil-A planned to send a production crew to take care of everything.
The day before the planting party, our Community Room was closed to staff and consumers so the production crew could work their magic. The next morning, when it was time to go into the Community Room for the party everyone was surprised. The room had been transformed into a greenhouse with lots of plants, flowers, and succulents all around. There were cute pots for consumer to choose from and planting stations set up with potting soil, trays, and watering cans. Each day hab consumer got to choose a pot and succulent to plant and take home. Even staff got in on the planting fun. Lunch was provided by Brian and his local Chick-fil-A restaurant. The whole event was filmed by the production crew sent by Chick-fil-A.
When our meal was completed, it was time for the check presentation. Unbeknown to SADI, several executives from Chick-fil-A’s corporate office were hiding in a back room. When they came into the Community Room along with two Chick-fil-A cows, Brent Fielder, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, spoke to everyone and announced SADI had been chosen as the top winner of the Truett Kathy True Inspiration Award. Instead of $30,000, we were given a check for $350,000!
At first, SADI staff and consumers were in total disbelief but the room quickly erupted with cheering, clapping, and tears of joy. Staff were hugging, consumers were dancing with cows, and everyone was in complete shock. It was a wonderful experience that none of us will ever forget.
As a nonprofit, SADI is used to pinching pennies and working with thin margins. Receiving $350,000 from Chick-fil-A has been a wonderful blessing. Chick-fil-A continues to be one of the most benevolent businesses from the top down and each local Chick-fil-A restaurant pours into their own community. SADI will always be grateful for this wonderful opportunity.
433
Consumers Served
364
Pieces of DME Given from Loan Closest
25,135
Services Provided
Questions about our services?
Not sure where to start?
SADI’s Information & Referral Specialist can help navigate through resources and programs and assist with required documentation and paperwork to get services started. SADI also assists our community partners with disability-related questions or needs