Since 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has partnered with the Center for Living Independently (CLI-CNMI) to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

As the CNMI's only Center for Independent Living, CLI serves residents on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota through independent living skills training, advocacy, peer support, and programs that promote self-reliance and community inclusion.

CLI consumers gather beside a passenger van donated through the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The vehicle helps individuals with disabilities access independent living skills training, medical appointments, employment opportunities, and community activities throughout Saipan.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

A CLI consumer uses a donated specialized beach wheelchair. The wheelchair provides individuals with mobility limitations greater access to Saipan's beaches, creating opportunities for recreation, inclusion, and meaningful participation in family and community activities.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

A CLI consumer uses a donated computer that supports digital literacy training and helps individuals with disabilities build skills for greater independence and inclusion. © 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Between 2025 to 2026, the Church provided humanitarian assistance that helped strengthen CLI's programs and services. Donations included a passenger van, computers, tablets, security cameras, a washing machine, beach wheelchairs, and equipment to support community gardening and life-skills training initiatives. These resources expanded opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop practical skills, access services, and participate more fully in their communities.

The donated van improved transportation for consumers attending training programs, appointments, and community activities, while computers and tablets enhanced digital literacy instruction and employment readiness. Support for CLI's community garden created opportunities to learn food production, teamwork, and healthy living habits. Among the most appreciated donations were specialized beach wheelchairs, which enabled individuals with mobility limitations to enjoy Saipan's beaches, participate in family outings, and experience greater inclusion in recreational activities.

Building on those efforts, the Church provided additional humanitarian assistance in 2026 following the impacts of Typhoon Sinlaku. The support strengthened CLI's disability-focused emergency response efforts through wellness checks, transportation assistance, emergency preparedness initiatives, and outreach to vulnerable residents during prolonged power outages.

Brett Child, Guam and Micronesia Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presents humanitarian donations to Mary Susan Satur, Executive Director of the Center for Living Independently (CLI-CNMI). The resources support accessibility, emergency preparedness, and independent living programs for individuals with disabilities across the CNMI. © 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thank-you notes from CLI consumers highlight the impact of Church-supported humanitarian projects that expanded for individuals with disabilities in CNMI accessibility, independence, and opportunities.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

The project was especially beneficial for individuals who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, nebulizers, and refrigerated medications. Additional assistance funded emergency preparedness backpacks tailored to the needs of people with disabilities and improved the organization's readiness to respond to future disasters.

Mary Susan Satur, Executive Director of CLI-CNMI, expressed gratitude for the partnership and its impact on the disability community.

“To say that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has helped CLI is an understatement. CLI is what it is today because of your generosity and commitment to our community.”

She added that the support has created opportunities for “independence, inclusion, learning, employment, recreation, and dignity” while demonstrating that people with disabilities are valued members of the community.

Through this growing partnership, the Church and CLI continue to help individuals with disabilities build self-reliance, strengthen resilience, and participate more fully in community life throughout the CNMI.

Creating Pathways to Independence for Individuals with Disabilities in the CNMI