The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) is proud to reflect on the success of our 5th Annual Alachua County Emergency Preparedness Expo, a meaningful and impactful event dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities and their families have access to the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to prepare for emergencies.

Held at the Senior Recreation Center in Gainesville, this year’s expo brought together community members, caregivers, local organizations, and service providers for a shared purpose: to promote safety, independence, and preparedness for all.

Building a More Prepared Community

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with local agencies and organizations, each offering valuable information on how to prepare for emergencies before, during, and after they occur. From healthcare resources to legal support, transportation, and emergency response services, the expo created a space where individuals could ask questions, build plans, and feel more confident about navigating unexpected situations.

Guest speakers, including representatives from the Florida Poison Information Center and Alachua County Animal Resources, provided important insights on health and safety considerations during emergencies, including how to protect both individuals and their pets.

A Collective Effort

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support and participation of our community partners. We extend our sincere gratitude to the following organizations for their time, expertise, and commitment to serving our community:

Endeavors
Center for Independent Living
Florida Legal Services
HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response
Three Rivers Legal Services
Florida Poison Information Center Jacksonville/USVI
UF HealthStreet
Disability Rights Florida
Alachua County Emergency Management
Meridian Healthcare
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UF CARD)
American Red Cross
Alachua County Animal Resources
RTS
Florida Visually Impaired and Blind Services
Alzheimer’s Association

Each organization played a vital role in equipping attendees with the knowledge and resources needed to remain safe and independent in times of crisis.

Centering Accessibility and Inclusion

At CILNCF, accessibility is at the core of everything we do. The expo included ASL interpreters to ensure that information was accessible to all attendees, reinforcing our commitment to creating inclusive spaces where everyone can participate fully.

Moving Forward Together

Events like the Emergency Preparedness Expo are a reminder that preparedness is not just an individual effort. It is a community-wide commitment. By coming together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, we strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies with confidence and resilience.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to making this event a success. Your engagement helps build a safer, more connected, and more prepared Alachua County.

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them. For individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, having the right plan and resources in place is not just helpful—it’s essential.

That’s why we’re inviting you to join us this Saturday for the 2nd Annual Putnam County Emergency Preparedness Expo, a community-centered event focused on safety, preparedness, and independence.

📅 April 11, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Putnam County Fairgrounds
🤟 ASL Interpreters will be provided

We encourage you to bring your friends, family, and caregivers and spend a few hours gaining valuable insights that could make a lasting difference.

For more information, please contact:
📧 ktowles@cilncf.org
📞 (352) 368-3788

The The Amazing Give may have officially ended, but the impact is still growing.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the Center for Independent Living has raised $9,650, reaching 80% of our $12,000 goal. We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed up, gave, and supported our mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently.

We’re excited to share that The Junior League of Gainesville has extended our donation window. Our giving page will remain live through midnight on Thursday, May 7th, which means there is still time to help us reach our goal.

Every dollar makes a difference. Your support helps fund critical programs, resources, and services that create greater access, independence, and opportunity in our community.

If you haven’t had a chance to give, or if you’re able to share this opportunity with others, we invite you to join us in this final push.

👉 Donate here:
https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Together, we can close the gap and make an even greater impact.

Thank you for being part of this community.

The CIL offices will be closed on Friday, April 3rd.

This dedicated time allows our team to reflect, plan, and strengthen the programs and services that support independence and inclusion for individuals with disabilities in our community.

We will resume regular office hours the following week and look forward to continuing to serve you with renewed focus and intention.

At the Center for Independent Living, learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom—it happens in everyday moments, shared experiences, and meaningful connections.

Our Independent Living Skills (ILS) group in Citrus County has been actively engaging in activities that promote growth, confidence, and independence in ways that are both practical and enjoyable.

Recently, participants spent time creating Valentine’s Day crafts together. This activity wasn’t just about making something festive—it encouraged creativity, fine motor skills, and self-expression, all while fostering a sense of community within the group.

In addition to creative projects, the group also took part in a sit-down restaurant outing. Experiences like these provide valuable opportunities to practice essential life skills, such as ordering food, managing money, communicating with others, and navigating social environments. These real-world interactions are key to building confidence and independence.

Looking ahead, the group is excited to continue their journey with a planned trip to the park, where they’ll enjoy games, outdoor activities, and time together in a relaxed setting. These moments of fun are just as important—they help build social connections, encourage physical activity, and reinforce the joy that comes with learning and growing together.

At CIL, we believe that independence is built through experiences like these—where individuals are supported, empowered, and given the opportunity to thrive in their own unique way.

We’re proud of our Citrus County ILS group for their enthusiasm, participation, and commitment to learning. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next. 💙

CIL’s Got Talent is back, and we’re excited to welcome our community for an evening filled with creativity, connection, and celebration.

Join us at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida for a fun and inspiring Talent Show featuring performances from individuals within the CIL community. From music to unique acts, this event highlights the talents, voices, and confidence of those we serve.

Event Details
Date: Friday, April 10
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida

This event is a chance to come together, support one another, and celebrate the diverse abilities that make our community so special. Whether you are attending to cheer on performers or taking the stage yourself, we invite you to be part of this memorable evening.

Interested in Performing?
We welcome performers of all kinds. If you would like to participate, please sign up using the link below or scan the QR code on the event flyer:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqA6dEo4Z68v-JMFQFfoe6It9lsUaeGSBszW6JlaOBJFRwIQ/viewform?usp=header

Sign-up deadline: April 3

Bring your friends and family, and get ready for a night of incredible talent. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the strength, creativity, and spirit of our community.

We were proud to be part of this year’s Strawberry Festival, where our team had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of community members and fellow organizations.

Lauren McKittrick, Kevin Towles, Colleen Metcalf, and our Deaf Services team were on-site sharing information about our Information & Referral (I&R) services, building partnerships, and helping individuals learn more about available resources that support independence and accessibility.

With an estimated 1,000–1,300 attendees and more than 225 vendors, the festival created a vibrant space for meaningful conversations and new connections. Events like these allow us to meet people where they are, answer questions, and ensure that individuals and families know where to turn for support.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to learn more about the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida. We look forward to continuing to serve and support our community.

This community event is focused on helping people with disabilities prepare for emergencies before they happen. From natural disasters to unexpected situations, having a plan in place can make all the difference.

Connect with local organizations, agencies, and vendors sharing resources and information on what to do before, during, and after an emergency, with services that support safety and independence.

🗓 Tuesday, March 24th
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🎤 Guest Speakers:
– Marion County Animal Center
– Florida Poison Control

🤝 Learn what to do before, during, and after an emergency
♿ Resources designed to support safety and independence
🧏‍♀️ ASL interpreters will be provided

📩 For more information, contact Kevin Towles at ktowles@cilncf.org or call (352) 368-3788

🔗 Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/41f1416747a94969ba22a8e6b81f9d46

We hope to see you there! Bring a friend, caregiver, or family member and take an important step toward being prepared.

Our team recently traveled to Tallahassee for CIL Day at the Capitol, joining Centers for Independent Living from across Florida to advocate for the programs and services that support people with disabilities in our communities.

Throughout the day, we met with legislators and shared the impact that independent living services have on the individuals and families we serve across North Central Florida. These conversations help ensure that accessibility, independence, and opportunity remain priorities in our state.

We were also honored to have our Board President, Dug Jones, join us this year, helping strengthen our advocacy efforts and represent the voices of our community.

Advocacy is a key part of the independent living movement, and we are proud to stand alongside our partners across Florida to continue advancing inclusion and independence for all.

Save the date ❤️

The Amazing Give is coming up on April 30th from 8 AM to 8 PM.

This community-wide day of giving brings people together to support local nonprofits working to make a difference across North Central Florida. CIL will once again be participating to raise funds that support services for individuals with disabilities, including advocacy, independent living skills, accessibility resources, and assistive technology.

Every gift helps create more opportunities for independence and inclusion in our community.

Mark your calendar and stay tuned for ways you can get involved on April 30th.

Learn more: www.theamazinggive.org