Organization Services
Smiling portrait of a young woman with disabilities sitting in a wheelchair and shaking hands with a person.

Volar Center for Independent Living has proudly served people with disabilities residing in El Paso, Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio County for 39 years.  The organization’s supports and services are designed to obtain, maintain or enhance a person’s level of independence.  To be recognized as a center for independent living, Volar is required to provide five core services: Self and System Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Information and Referral, Peer Counseling and services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to postsecondary life.  To positively influence community integration, Volar also provides: assistance in securing housing or shelter, transportation referrals and rehabilitation technology.

Administrative Team

Luis Enrique Chew - Executive Director

Luis Enrique Chew

Executive Director

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration – University of Texas at El Paso.

Experience: Began as a volunteer Peer Counselor and board member of DARE now Volar CIL.  Was hired by Tom Carter Executive Director of DARE as Employment Consultant for the Supported Employment program in 1988. 31 years involved in the Independent Living Movement, and 22 years as Executive Director of DARE/Volar CIL

Interests: Home Theater Audio & Video, Box Turtles and Tropical Fish

Disability:  C 5 and 6 Spinal Cord Injury

Favorite Quote:“Vote like if your life depends on it…because it does” – Justin Dart Jr.

Danny Monroe - Chief Fiscal Officer

Danny Monroe

Chief Fiscal Officer

Thelma Dunn, - Office Manager

Thelma Dunn

Office Manager

Maria Garcia - Records Manager, Bookkeeper

Maria (Nena) Garcia

Records Manager

Martha Chew - Executive Assistant

Martha Chew

Executive Assistant

Experience:  Industrial Grupo Bermudez S.A. de C.V. Reception and Secretarial

Five years representing Disabled Ability Resource Environment (D.A.R.E.) now Volar CIL as Assistant to the Independent Living Skills

Training, Peer Counseling, Job Development, Housing Programs Coordinator 

Presently Assistant to the Executive Director and Lending Closet Inventory Control

Representing Volar CIL for 27 years and Assisting People with disabilities for 41 years

Interests: Traveling

Disability:  Partially Blind, Diabetes, Thyroid

Favorite Quote:  Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them – Jack Brown

Veronica Luevanos - Secretary

Veronica Luevanos

Secretary

Education: Ysleta High School Graduate, Office Information Systems Certificate of Completion – El Paso Community College

Experience: Nine years with El Paso Parks and Recreation and five years representing Volar CIL

Interests: Reading and listening to 80’s, Freestyle, and Reggaeton music

Disability:  Spina Bifida

Favorite Quote: Never believe you are above or below anyone. Keep a humble spirit – Brendon Burchard

Smiling portrait of a young woman with disabilities sitting in a wheelchair and shaking hands with a person.

Organization Services

Volar Center for Independent Living has proudly served people with disabilities residing in El Paso, Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio County for 39 years.  The organization’s supports and services are designed to obtain, maintain or enhance a person’s level of independence.  To be recognized as a center for independent living, Volar is required to provide five core services: Self and System Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Information and Referral, Peer Counseling and services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to postsecondary life.  To positively influence community integration, Volar also provides: assistance in securing housing or shelter, transportation referrals and rehabilitation technology.

Administrative Team

Luis Enrique Chew - Executive Director

Luis Enrique Chew

Executive Director

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration – University of Texas at El Paso.

Experience: Began as a volunteer Peer Counselor and board member of DARE now Volar CIL.  Was hired by Tom Carter Executive Director of

DARE as Employment Consultant for the Supported Employment program in 1988. 31 years involved in the Independent Living Movement

and 22 years as Executive Director of DARE/Volar CIL

Interests: Home Theater Audio & Video, Box Turtles and Tropical Fish

Disability:  C 5 and 6 Spinal Cord Injury

Favorite Quote:“Vote like if your life depends on it…because it does” – Justin Dart Jr.

Danny Monroe - Chief Fiscal Officer

Danny Monroe

Chief Fiscal Officer

Thelma Dunn, - Office Manager

Thelma Dunn

Office Manager

Maria Garcia - Records Manager, Bookkeeper

Maria (Nena) Garcia

Records Manager

Martha Chew - Executive Assistant

Martha Chew

Executive Assistant

Experience:  Industrial Grupo Bermudez S.A. de C.V. Reception and Secretarial

Five years representing Disabled Ability Resource Environment (D.A.R.E.) now Volar CIL as Assistant to the Independent Living Skills

Training, Peer Counseling, Job Development, Housing Programs Coordinator 

Presently Assistant to the Executive Director and Lending Closet Inventory Control

Representing Volar CIL for 27 years and Assisting People with disabilities for 41 years

Interests: Traveling

Disability:  Partially Blind, Diabetes, Thyroid

Favorite Quote:  Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them – Jack Brown

Veronica Luevanos - Secretary

Veronica Luevanos

Secretary

Education: Ysleta High School Graduate, Office Information Systems Certificate of Completion – El Paso Community College

Experience: Nine years with El Paso Parks and Recreation and five years representing Volar CIL

Interests: Reading and listening to 80’s, Freestyle, and Reggaeton music

Disability:  Spina Bifida

Favorite Quote: Never believe you are above or below anyone. Keep a humble spirit – Brendon Burchard