Greetings | The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida welcomes you! If you have any questions about the center or the services we provide, please contact us at 352-378-7474. Our number again, is 3, 5, 2, 3, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7, 4.
Are you facing housing challenges or need legal guidance about your living situation? Don’t miss our upcoming Free Legal Clinic! In collaboration with Florida Legal Services and Alachua County Community Support Services, we’re offering a chance to speak directly with an attorney and learn more about the free home legal services available in your community.
📅 When: January 28th | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Where: Center for Independent Living, 222 SW 36th Terrace, Gainesville, FL
This is a wonderful opportunity for you to receive valuable information and personalized advice on any housing-related legal issues you may be facing.
👉 Got questions? Call us at 352-378-7474 for more details!
We’re here to help you navigate any housing challenges and connect you with the services that can make a real difference. See you there! 🏡💙
From 7 PM Tuesday through 1 PM Wednesday, Alachua County is under a Winter Storm Watch. There is a possibility of slick and hazardous road conditions, especially on bridges, overpasses, and rural roads. 🚗💨
📍 Local Impacts:
⚠️ There is a 15% chance of freezing rain causing ice accumulation of over 0.10″ in Gainesville (moderate impact).
⚠️ A 28% chance of minor ice accumulation (over 0.01″).
⚠️ Wind chill values are expected to be in the 20s°F each morning this week. ❄️
⚠️ Northern areas, including High Springs, may see more significant impacts with up to a 40% chance of freezing rain causing ice accumulation of over 0.10″.
Freezing rain could affect roadways and powerlines, leading to driving hazards and possible localized power outages. Please stay safe, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep an eye on weather updates.
Dr. King’s vision of equality, justice, and inclusion continues to inspire us every day. As we reflect on his work, we are reminded of the importance of breaking down barriers and creating communities where everyone, regardless of ability, is respected and given the opportunity to thrive.
At the CIL, we are committed to promoting inclusivity and empowerment for people with disabilities, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are upheld. Together, we can build a future where everyone is valued equally.
Let us honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to work toward a world that celebrates diversity, champions accessibility, and provides opportunities for all. 💙
This year, our very own Kevin Towles had the privilege of attending the National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Conference in Orlando! Over the course of three days, Kevin had the chance to connect with healthcare leaders, including representatives from the Department of Health, hospitals, and health care coalitions. 🏥🤝
The conference featured a variety of speakers and sessions, offering valuable insights into the future of healthcare. Kevin had the opportunity to engage with different groups and learn about upcoming advancements that will impact the healthcare landscape. 🌍💡
We’re excited to bring this knowledge back to help strengthen our community and continue improving care for all.
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A big thank you to Claudia and Cammeron for braving the cold and making a difference at the World AIDS Day Community Resource Fair at GRACE Marketplace!
Claudia led demonstrations of two amazing assistive devices, helping participants with low vision and low hearing learn about new ways to enhance their daily lives. She also shared helpful apps and offered guidance to those who needed it.
Cammeron provided valuable information about our Center for Independent Living (CIL) resources, ensuring over 100 people received the assistance they needed.
Together, Claudia and Cammeron made a lasting impact, empowering our community with tools, information, and support! 💙
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As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for our incredible community—your support, strength, and resilience inspire us daily. Together, we’ve made great strides toward creating a more inclusive and accessible world, but there’s still important work ahead.
In 2025, we remain dedicated to empowering individuals, breaking barriers, and fostering environments where everyone can thrive. Here’s to new beginnings, continued progress, and a year full of possibility.
Thank you for being part of our journey. 💙
The image features the text “Happy New Year” in bold blue letters at the top. Below, the year “2025” is displayed in large, colorful numbers, with characters interacting playfully with the digits. A boy holds a megaphone by the “2,” a woman leans on the “0,” a girl reaches out to the “5,” and a seated boy is positioned by the “5.” The design incorporates vibrant colors and lively energy, with the “CIL” logo at the bottom center and curved lines in blue, purple, and green at the corners.
This holiday season, Santa’s CIL Elves were hard at work spreading cheer and ensuring families in our community could experience the magic of Christmas. Our incredible team—Myrtle, Destini, Cammeron, Kevin, Terri, and Medjina—dedicated their time and hearts to the Toys for Tots program, helping to brighten the holidays for so many.
Thanks to their efforts, we were able to assist 37 families, making the holidays special for exactly 100 children! Each toy wrapped and delivered came with love, joy, and the promise of a smile on Christmas morning.
We are honored to partner with Toys for Tots again this year, and we thank all of you who supported this wonderful initiative. Together, we made a difference that truly embodies the spirit of the season.
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As the year comes to a close, we are so grateful for the incredible community that supports us. Your compassion and generosity have been a beacon of hope for individuals and families living with disabilities. Together, we’ve broken barriers, brightened futures, and fostered inclusion and independence.
From all of us at The CIL, we wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season filled with love and warmth. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey—we can’t wait to continue building a brighter, more inclusive future with you in the year ahead!
As we celebrate this special season, we want to thank our incredible community for your support and partnership throughout the year. 💙 Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday!
📅 Holiday Office Hours:
Christmas Week: Closed 12/24 – 12/27
New Year’s Week: Open 12/30 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM) Closed 12/31 – 1/1 Open 1/2 – 1/3 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
We look forward to serving you in 2025! ✨ Stay safe and enjoy the holidays! 🎁
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Earlier this fall, the CIL had the privilege of participating in the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch and Learn event, “Embracing Diversity: A Panel Discussion on DEI in Today’s World.” This inspiring panel brought together leaders across our community, all deeply committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in meaningful ways. Among these distinguished panelists was our very own Executive Director, Tony Delisle, who shared the CIL’s mission and insights on fostering inclusivity.
The discussion was both enlightening and thought-provoking, focusing on the strategies and efforts local organizations are using to create more inclusive environments. Panelists highlighted actionable steps businesses and agencies can take to integrate DEI principles into their workplaces, fostering cultures where all individuals can thrive.
As a community, we were reminded that promoting diversity and inclusion isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about creating spaces where everyone belongs and can contribute fully to their organizations and communities. At the CIL, we are proud to champion these values and were grateful to be part of such a meaningful exchange of ideas.
Let’s continue to embrace diversity and inclusivity as we work toward building a stronger, more unified community!
This image shows a panel discussion at a Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce “Lunch and Learn” event titled “Embracing Diversity: A Panel Discussion on DEI in Today’s World.” Five panelists are seated in a semi-circle in a meeting room, engaged in conversation. A screen in the background displays the event title and sponsor logos. The panelists, representing a diverse group of individuals, appear to be listening and sharing insights. The setting is professional, with panelists seated in office chairs, and the room has bright lighting with windows on either side. The top of the image includes the event title in bold white text on a turquoise background, while the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce logo and text are displayed at the bottom. The Center for Independent Living (CIL) logo is featured in the top right corner.
Panelists: Jillian Dinius, Leader of Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Infotech Brett Buell, Development Director, Gainesville Opportunity Center Zeriah Folston, Equal Opportunity Director and Small Business Director, City of Gainesville
The Panel Moderator was Ian Fletcher, COO / VP of Talent & Education, Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.
