We are so close to reaching our $1,500 goal for Give4Marion! Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve raised $1,425 – that’s 95% of our goal! 🎉 With just under 3 hours left, we know we can hit the finish line, but we need your help to get there.

Please continue to spread the word and share our donation page below. Every dollar counts, and we have one more exciting opportunity to double your donation!

Final Matching Moment: At 6pm today, we have a Celebration Party Matching Moment! All online donations up to $100 will be matched dollar for dollar by an Angel Donor until the $5,000 match runs out. This is the perfect time to maximize your impact and help us reach our goal.

We are so grateful to everyone who has donated and supported the CIL. Your contributions are making a real difference for our consumers and programs in Marion County, and we can’t thank you enough!

Donate Here: https://www.give4marion.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Thanks to your generosity, we’ve raised $785 so far – that’s 52% of our $1,500 goal for Give4Marion! We are so grateful for your support in helping us make a difference for our Marion County consumers and programs.

But we’re not done yet! We still need your help to reach the finish line, and today you have another amazing opportunity to double your impact.

Here’s how:

Today, September 18th at 12pm, The David Midgett Foundation is offering a $10,000 match!All donations up to $100 will be matched dollar for dollar until the match runs out. This means your $50 donation becomes $100, and your $100 donation becomes $200 – all in support of vital programs like our Five-Core Services, Employment Program, Deaf Services, High School High Tech, and Emergency Preparedness Program.

To make the most of this Matching Moment, please consider donating at 12pm today: https://www.give4marion.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

We’re so close to reaching our goal, and with your continued support, we know we can get there. Let’s finish strong together!

If you’ve been thinking about donating, now is the perfect time. Today at 12pm, we have an incredible chance to make an even bigger impact. Your contribution could go twice as far and help us continue serving our community with the essential services they rely on.

Today at 12pm, Team Cone is offering a $15,000 match! All gifts up to $100 will be matched dollar for dollar until the match runs out.

This means that your $50 donation becomes $100, and your $100 donation becomes $200 – allowing us to do even more for the people we serve.

By participating in this Matching Moment, your contribution can go twice as far and have an even greater impact on our consumers and the community.

Help us spread the word and hit our goal by sharing our donation page below with your friends and contacts in Marion County:

https://www.give4marion.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

The moment is here! Give4Marion 2024 has officially started! We have until 7pm on Wednesday, September 18th to raise $1,500 to support our Marion County consumers and vital programs, including our Five-Core Services, Employment Program, Deaf Services, High School High Tech, Emergency Preparedness Program, and more!

DOUBLE your donation TODAY, September 17th when you give at 12pm. Team Cone is offering a $15,000 match! All gifts up to $100 will be matched dollar for dollar until the match runs out.

To maximize your impact, please consider waiting to donate during today’s Matching Moment!

Help us spread the word and hit our goal by sharing our donation page below with your friends and contacts in Marion County:https://www.give4marion.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Meet Delroy—a testament to what’s possible with the right support. As a deaf individual, Delroy faced unique challenges after graduating from CDL Training in April 2023, eager to put his skills to work.

Through this connection, we were able to help him secure a job at a local septic company and earn his tanker endorsement. Now, over a year later, Delroy is thriving, applying his CDL training every day. His next goal? Owning his own trucking business. Your support makes stories like Delroy’s possible!

Give4Marion is. 33-hour online giving event that starts Tuesday, September 17th, and runs through Wednesday, September 18th. Our goal is to raise $1,500 to support CIL programs like our Five-Core Services, Employment Program, Deaf Services, High School High Tech, and more!

We’re also participating in two Luncheon Matching Moments, where donations can be doubled:

👉 $15,000 match at 12pm on Tuesday
👉 $10,000 match at 12pm on Wednesday

When you donate to Give4Marion, you help individuals achieve their dreams and build brighter futures.

Our CIL birthday celebrations continue and we’re still playing catch up, so please join us in saying a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CIL staff members who celebrated birthdays back in July! We hope you all had amazing summer birthdays filled with lots of fun in the sun and yummy treats!

ANDREA – JULY 7th
CHRISTIE – JULY 18th
PATTY – JULY 21st

Today, we pause to honor and remember the lives lost, the heroes who emerged, and the resilience of a nation united in the face of tragedy. On this day 23 years ago, our country experienced unimaginable loss, but also witnessed incredible courage and solidarity. We are forever grateful to the first responders, the families who showed immense strength, and all those who continue to carry forward the spirit of hope and healing.

As a community, we stand together in remembrance, reflecting on the power of unity and the importance of supporting one another through the most challenging of times. Let us continue to work towards a world of inclusion, kindness, and peace.

This year’s Give4Marion Fundraiser is just one week away, and we need your support more than ever. Your donations will directly benefit these crucial programs, ensuring that our community continues to receive the support and resources they need.

This summer, we hosted an engaging camp at our Ocala Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing middle and high school students. The campers enjoyed social activities, painting, and ocean-themed storytelling at the center, along with learning about marine life and playing engaging games. Off-site, they had fun bowling and at Sky Zone, which helped build teamwork and confidence. Thanks to generous donations, we’re able to keep offering these enriching programs that foster learning, creativity, and social connection.

Join us in making a significant impact! By donating through our Give4Marion page, you become an essential part of the positive change we’re driving. Your support fuels our mission, helping us touch hearts and transform lives every day.

Learn more at: https://www.give4marion.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Date: September 11, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

We’re excited to invite you to an inspiring and thought-provoking Lunch & Learn panel discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)! This engaging session will explore how DEI is shaping our world today and how we can all foster inclusive and equitable environments in our communities and workplaces.

Our very own Dr. Tony Delisle, Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living North Central Florida, will be joining the panel alongside other incredible leaders in this space:
🔹 Jillian Dinius – Leader of Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Infotech
🔹 Brett Buell – Development Director, Gainesville Opportunity Center
🔹 Zeriah Folston – Equal Opportunity Director & Small Business Director, City of Gainesville

Discussion Topics Include:
✅ The current state of DEI in different sectors
✅ Building a culture of inclusion and belonging
✅ Leadership’s role in driving DEI initiatives
✅ Practical steps to advance DEI in your personal and professional life

Whether you’re a DEI advocate, leader, or simply curious about how you can contribute to a more inclusive world, this event will provide valuable insights, real-world examples, and actionable takeaways. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best!

Together, let’s embrace diversity and continue fostering inclusivity in every aspect of life.

Register here: https://members.gainesvillechamber.com/events/details/lunch-learn-embracing-diversity-a-panel-discussion-on-dei-in-today-s-world-35831

Every summer, our ADA Paratransit team has the privilege of partnering with RTS bus drivers in Gainesville to enhance their Disability Awareness and Sensitivity skills. Over the course of 16 weeks, we conducted 12 engaging classes, training approximately 160 drivers. Our sessions covered the history of the disability community, the challenges faced, and essential tools for better supporting riders with disabilities.

This year, we introduced a new segment focused on transportation-related sign language, which aims to improve communication with the hard-of-hearing community. We also updated drivers on the latest laws, policies, and procedures, and emphasized ways to foster inclusivity and compassion.

But the learning goes both ways. Our Paratransit specialists gathered valuable feedback from RTS drivers and riders, allowing us to continually adapt and enhance our services. It was a fantastic experience working with our dedicated drivers, and we’re grateful for their commitment to our consumers. Thank you, RTS Road Warriors, for your incredible support and dedication!