Members of the CILNCF staff had a blast at UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities’ Stomp the Swamp for Autism event at the end of March at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium! It was heartwarming to see so many community members and resource organizations come together for such a great cause: promoting health and wellness while raising funds to provide child safety materials and information, employment training for young adults, and social skills groups for children and teens with autism and related disabilities.

This annual event brings together UF students, faculty, staff, and local families to walk the stadium concourse or take on the stairs—all in support of CARD-UF. Dozens of vendors set up booths to share helpful resources, and families enjoyed a wide range of activities for children. While open to everyone, the event holds special meaning for families with loved ones who have special needs—it’s a chance to connect, share, and feel supported by the community.

Stomp the Swamp takes place every year, so be sure to keep an eye out for next year’s event. We’d love to see you there!

Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence.

Learn more: noaa.gov/get-moving-when-storm-threatens

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a bold blue and green headline: “Get Moving When a Storm Threatens.” The background shows a stormy scene with strong winds bending palm trees and a truck driving through floodwaters. Below the headline, a black transparent overlay displays five action steps in white text with teal icons:

1) Protect your home: cover windows, secure doors & loose items
2) Determine sheltering options and consider your pets
3) Ready your go-bag, meds & supplies, charge phone, fill up/charge vehicle
4) Help your neighbors, especially the elderly & other vulnerable people
5) Follow evacuation orders if given

Prepare for hurricane season by knowing how to understand forecasts. They can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more. There is a lot of information available days ahead of a storm, and it is important to understand what it means. 

Learn more: noaa.gov/understand-forecast-information

The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. 

Learn more: noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a bold blue and green headline: “Prepare Before Hurricane Season.” The background features emergency preparedness supplies like a yellow raincoat, medical kit, flashlight, batteries, water bottles, and canned food. Below the headline, a black transparent overlay lists five preparation tips in white text with green icons:

1) Develop an evacuation plan
2) Assemble disaster supplies: food, water, batteries, charger, radio, cash
3) Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions
4) Create a communication plan with a hand-written list of contacts
5) Strengthen your home

This week, we’re teaming up with NOAA’s National Weather Service to bring you life-saving hurricane preparedness tips—because preparation is protection.

‼️ KNOW YOUR RISK: WATER & WIND ‼️

The first step of preparing for hurricanes is to know your risk. Find out today what types of water and wind hazards could happen where you live. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength. Know if you live in an area prone to flooding, if you live in an evacuation zone, and identify any structural weaknesses in your home.

Learn more: noaa.gov/know-your-risk-water-wind

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a subheading in bold blue and green text: “Know Your Risk: Water & Wind.” The background shows a flooded residential area with rooftops and trees partially submerged in water. Below the title, a black transparent overlay lists four preparedness tips in white text with green icons:

1) Consider your threats: storm surge, flooding from heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes, rip currents
2) Determine if you live in a flood-prone area
3) Find out if you live in an evacuation zone
4) Identify your home’s structural risks (mobile homes & basements can be especially vulnerable)

Thanks to your incredible support, we raised $10,641 to support people with disabilities in North Central Florida!

🙌 Out of 116 nonprofits, CIL ranked #35 in total dollars raised, with 113 gifts from 100 donors!

👏 All 4 of our staff Peer-to-Peer fundraisers raised nearly $4,500 — a huge part of this year’s success! We’re so grateful for their dedication in raising support for the CIL and our consumers. Check them out at the link below!

📲 The CIL’s fundraiser page: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Special thanks to Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille for supporting our mission of empowering people with disabilities to live independently. 💙

We’re so grateful for every donor, advocate, and team member who made this possible. You’ve helped us build a stronger, more accessible community!

ID: Graphic with a blue background and cream-colored center featuring text from The Amazing Give. It reads: “Thanks to your generosity, we raised $10,641” in bold white numbers inside a red rectangle. Below, it says, “Together, we’re building a stronger, more accessible community where independence is possible for everyone.”

The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida is proud to announce Amy Feutz as our new Executive Director! 🎉

Amy has been leading the charge for independence at The CIL since stepping into the role at the end of January. With over 20 years of dedicated service to the organization, Amy brings a deep understanding of our mission, our community, and the work still to be done.

Throughout her tenure, Amy has served in multiple leadership roles, including Program Coordinator, High School High Tech; the Program Director, High School High Tech; the Director of Resource Development and Youth Services, and most recently as the Associate Director.

Her passion for empowering individuals with disabilities and advancing accessibility has shaped our programs, expanded our services, and strengthened our impact and reach within the Center’s sixteen county catchment area.

Please join us in congratulating Amy on this well-deserved appointment as Executive Director. We are confident that under her continued leadership, the CIL will keep growing stronger—pushing forward our mission to support independence, access, and equity for all.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, we’ve raised $9,640 — 64% of our goal for The Amazing Give! 💙

But there’s still time to make an even bigger impact!

The donation link closes tonight — and every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to helping more individuals achieve independence and opportunity.

🎁 Donate before midnight: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Your support has fueled critical services like employment assistance, independent living skills training, assistive technology, and wheelchair ramp construction — all at no cost to the consumers we serve.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping create a community where everyone can thrive. Let’s finish strong! 💙

We’re off to a great start — $3,482 raised so far! But we still have a long way to go to hit our $15,000 goal by 8 PM tonight.

Right now is one of the most important moments of the day:
‼️ Lunch Power Hour is from 12 PM – 1 PM!

If we receive the most individual donors during this hour (not the highest dollar amount), we’ll win an extra $500 for our programs.

That means your $5 donation could be the one that puts us over the top!

🎁 Give Now: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Your support powers free, life-changing services for people with disabilities in North Central Florida—like employment assistance, assistive technology, wheelchair ramps, and independent living training.

From 8 AM – 9 AM, your donation could help us win an extra $500 during The Amazing Give! All it takes is $5 to count toward our total—every donor makes a difference.

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

Your support fuels free services like employment training, wheelchair ramps, and independent living skills for people with disabilities.

Let’s start strong and champion independence together. 💙