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.
As we celebrate this special season, we want to thank our incredible community for your support and partnership throughout the year. đ Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday!
đ Holiday Office Hours:
Christmas Week: Closed 12/24 – 12/27
New Yearâs 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! đ
Earlier this fall, the CIL had the privilege of participating in the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerceâs Lunch and Learn event, âEmbracing Diversity: A Panel Discussion on DEI in Todayâs World.â 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 CILâs 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 isnât just about checking boxesâitâs 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.
Letâs continue to embrace diversity and inclusivity as we work toward building a stronger, more unified community!
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.
A few weeks ago, our Independent Living Skills (ILS) classes had the privilege of learning about fire safety from local heroes. The Ocala Fire Rescue team visited the Ocala ILS group, while the Gainesville Fire Department stopped by the CIL Gainesville office.
During their visits, the firefighters shared essential fire safety tips and gave us an up-close look at their equipment. They demonstrated how they put on their uniforms, explaining the purpose of each piece and how it helps keep them safe. They even passed around their heavy-duty gloves for everyone to try onâmost of our participants agreed they were bulky, heavy, and not as easy to handle as they look!
Outside, we got an exciting tour of their fire trucks, learning about the tools and equipment they carry and how theyâre used. The firefighters showed us different types of axes and explained their uses in emergency situations. The highlight of the day was getting a chance to use the fire hose! It was a fun yet challenging experience, and everyone gained a new appreciation for the strength and skill it takes to handle one.
Weâre so grateful to the Ocala Fire Rescue and the Gainesville Fire Department for taking the time to visit us, share their knowledge, and show us the incredible work they do to keep our communities safe. A big thank-you to these everyday heroes!
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In our ongoing effort to address health inequities within the disability community, the CIL recently hosted a free, accessible vaccine clinic. At the event, we were able to offer both COVID-19 and flu vaccines, provided by CVS and UF Health Street. In addition to the vaccines, a few community partners such as Florida Legal Services and Disability Rights Florida set up resource tables to provide valuable information and support to help individuals on their journeys to independence. We are deeply grateful for the continued support you provide to the CIL. Your contributions were essential to the success of this event, and the clinic was a testament to our commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to healthcare, while also promoting the health and safety of our entire community. Thank you for helping us make a meaningful impact!
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We hope everyone is embracing the Season of Gratitude with joy and reflection! Thanks to our continued partnership with Trinity Missions, the CIL was able to provide Thanksgiving baskets to 20 families this year, supporting a total of 93 individuals. Words cannot fully express how much we appreciate Trinity Missions and their unwavering dedication to our community, especially during this special time of year. We are profoundly thankful for your partnership, which helps the CIL empower people with disabilities to achieve their goals for independence. Letâs carry this spirit of gratitude and kindness into the new year as we continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
This season of gratitude gives us the perfect opportunity to say thank you to everyone who makes our work possible.
To our consumers: Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Your determination and resilience inspire us every day.
To our staff: Your unwavering commitment and hard work create the foundation of the services and support we provide.
To our donors and volunteers: Your generosity and time make a world of difference, ensuring we can continue to serve our community and advocate for independence.
To our community partners: Your collaboration helps us amplify our impact, creating a more inclusive and accessible world for everyone.
Together, we make a difference, and weâre so thankful for each and every one of you. Here’s to continuing our work to empower and uplift our community.
Wishing you a warm, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving! đ
ID: The image features a cheerful Thanksgiving design. On the left side, there is a cartoon turkey with a round body, bright orange and red feathers, a yellow beak, and a red wattle, peeking out from the edge of the image. The text “Happy Thanksgiving” is displayed in large, colorful, gradient letters in shades of orange, yellow, and brown. At the bottom right corner, the logo for the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida is visible, along with the tagline “Empowering Individuals with Disabilities.” The background is a light beige color, adding a warm and festive feel.
Itâs been a whirlwind of a season here at the Center for Independent Living! We’ve been hard at work supporting our consumers and their goals, but weâre finally taking a moment to share some highlights from our Halloween Wellness Event with all of you.
The image shows a group of nine people dressed in festive and creative Halloween costumes, standing in a bright and cheerful room decorated for the occasion. The costumes include a pumpkin, a wizard, a strawberry, a pink dinosaur, and others, showcasing a variety of vibrant colors and themes. The group is smiling and posing together, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. Behind them is a wall-mounted TV displaying a Halloween scene with trees and a darkened sky, adding to the spooky theme. The floor is wood-paneled, and there are Halloween decorations like hanging orange paper balls in the room. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with blue edges, featuring the text: “WELLNESS: Halloween Festivities!”
Throughout October, our staff showed off their creative side with a spooktacular door decorating contest, transforming our offices into a haunted hallway of fun. On Halloween Day, the festivities continued as staff came dressed in amazing costumes for our costume contest and enjoyed a delicious spread of fruit, crackers, dips, and, of course, sweet treats galore! đŹđ
Weâre thrilled to announce the winners of both contests, who took home frightfully good prizes, including vacation time! đ A huge congratulations to everyone who participated in the fun â your costumes were BOO-tiful, and the decorated doors were absolutely FANG-tastic.
đ DOOR DECORATING: 1st Place: The Coco themed door (Linda) 2nd Place: The Happy Halloweenie door (Colleen) 3rd Place: The spookiest by far door (Sada)
đ§ââď¸ FAVORITE COSTUMES: 1st Place: Cammeron dressed as an Egyptian Pharaoh 2nd Place: A tie between Ashlyn dressed as a Strawberry and Sada as Ms. Fizzle 3rd Place: Lauren dressed as Medusa
Thank you to our incredible team for making the day special, and we hope everyone had a safe and wonderful Halloween season. Now⌠bring on the holiday cheer! đâ¨
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Wow, we seem to say this every year, but where has the time gone?? We are still behind with sharing our past birthday celebrations, but we figure itâs better to spread the happiness now, rather than never!
Please join us in saying a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CIL staff members who celebrated birthdays in August, September and October! We hope you all had wonderful birthdays celebrating YOU!
NIUSHA â August 1st AMY â August 4th TONY â August 4th (not pictured) AMMAL â August 8th (not pictured) LINDA â August 12th TERRI â August 18th DESTINI â August 23rd MARK â August 31st LUCINDA â September 4th LAUREN â October 26th (not pictured)
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Image features the CIL’s August birthdays. Staff are sitting together at a table in the Gainesville activity room. From left to right are Amy, Destini, Mark, Linda and Niusha. Amy and Destini are holding up chocolate frosted cupcakes with a lit candle in each. There are additional lit vanilla frosted cupcakes sitting on the table in front of each staff member. The image is overlaid with text that reads “Happy Birthday” in elegant font, and the name “CIL Gainesville” is placed below in smaller text. The bottom of the image is tinted with a greenish gradient.Image features our September birthday. Lucinda is standing in the Ocala activity room, holding up her pineapple dream pie. There is a whiteboard behind her that reads, âHappy Birthday Lucinda!â in black ink, with a smiling sun that has been drawn in red ink in the upper right corner. The image is overlaid with text that reads “Happy Birthday” in elegant font, and the name “Lucinda” is placed below in smaller text. The bottom of the image is tinted with a blue gradient.Image is a picture of Terri standing in the Ocala activity room. She is holding up her birthday spinach dip and broccoli salad. There is a whiteboard behind her that reads, âHappy Terri Appreciation Day!â in red ink. A smiling sun has also been drawn in red ink in the upper right corner. The image is overlaid with text that reads “Happy Birthday” in elegant font, and the name “Terri” is placed below in smaller text. The bottom of the image is tinted with a purple gradient.
Come join us for resources and fall fun as you protect yourself against sickness this holiday season!
In collaboration with Disability Rights Florida, the CIL is hosting an upcoming free, accessible vaccine clinic that will be held at the Center on Friday, November 15th, from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. CVS will be providing flu and COVID-19 vaccines to those with insurance, and UF Health will be present to provide health screenings and flu vaccines for those who do not have insurance. If you or someone you know intends to utilize MV transportation to attend the clinic, please alert us so that we can coordinate covering the cost. Additionally, for those who participate, Disability Rights Florida is providing an amazing giveaway of emergency backpacks! Contents include: Food Bars, Emergency Water Pouches, Water Purification Tablets, Emergency Whistle/Compass, Emergency Stove, Fuel Tablets, Canteen Cup, Dust Face Cover, 36 Piece First Aid Kit, Waterproof Match Kit, Playing Cards, Battery-Free Flashlight, Tissue Pack, Emergency Blanket, Rain Poncho and Antiseptic Wipes. We look forward to seeing you there!
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An autumn themed beige flyer with fall leaves scattered around displays pertinent information about a vaccine clinic. The logo for the Aging & Disability Vaccination Collaborative is displayed on the top left, followed by the CILNCF logo in the center and the Disability Rights Florida logo in the top right. Bold letters stating, “ACCESSIBLE VACCINE CLINIC” are placed in the center of the flyer below the logos. Under this title, there is a banner that states, “Covid-19 and Flu Shots, November 15th, 2024, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.” Under this, on the left side of the flyer there is a location pin logo with the words, “Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, 222 SW 36th Terrace, Gaiensville, FL, 32607” next to it. Below this, text stating, “Options available for those with and without insurance. Please bring your insurance card if you have one!” is placed. On the right hand side of the flyer there is a text box bordered by fall leaves outlining the words, “Join us for resources and fall fun as you protect yourself against sickness this holiday season.” Below this, there is a colorful syringe and bottle holding vaccination content within it. The American Sign Language Interpreter logo is displayed on the bottom left with the words, “ASL interpreters provided. Connect with us for any other accommodations. Phone: (352) 378 – 7474, VP: (352) 240 – 3079, Email: amichael@cilncf.org. At the base of the flyer, the text, “This publication is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)) through USAging as part of a financial assistance award to USAging totaling $74,999,835 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement, by USAging, ACL/ HHS.” is placed. Flyer has a white background with the Disability Rights Florida logo at the top. Below the logo, is brick red lettering that reads, âBackpack Giveawayâ. Below that to the right, there is a picture of the red and grey backpack, with black straps and the Disability Rights Florida logo. To the left of the backpack graphic, it reads, âWhatâs Inside?â and below that is a list of contents, mentioned in the caption above. Â
We had an absolute blast at our recent Halloween event for our Independent Living Skills (ILS) class! Consumers showed up dressed to impress in all sorts of creative costumes, from adorable animals to spooky characters. The room was filled with laughter, excitement, and a whole lot of Halloween spirit!
First up was Halloween BINGO, where everyone played for sweet prizes (đŹ candy of their choice!). The competition was fierce, but the smiles were even bigger. Then, the fun continued as we decorated sugar cookies with black frosting and spooky sprinkles. It was all about creatingâand tastingâsomething special! đ¨đŞ
Thank you to our ILS Coordinator, Terri, for putting together such a fun event! We love creating opportunities for consumers to connect, learn, and build skills in a supportive community. These ILS classes are more than just learningâtheyâre about finding ways to live fully, advocate for yourself, and be part of a community thatâs here for you every step of the way.
If you missed out, donât worry! Weâve got plenty more fun and empowering ILS events coming up, so stay tuned and join us next time.
This image shows a group of people dressed in a variety of Halloween costumes, gathered together in a decorated room with a festive, spider-web-covered tablecloth. There are decorations on the wall, including a ghost cutout and other Halloween-themed items. The costumes range from animal onesies to characters like a Minion, a princess with a tiara, a person dressed in a “Hocus Pocus” shirt, a skeleton, a superhero, and others. The group is smiling and posing together, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.