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.
We are continuing to highlight our most recent team socials! At the beginning of last month, the HSHT and FAAST teams enjoyed their time away from the office with a yummy lunch at Harry’s and a visit to the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. They explored exhibits that featured the history of animation, the story of toilets (exhibit is actually in the bathrooms!), and of course the invention of Gatorade. The museum is named after Dr. James Robert Cade, Gatorade’s lead inventor.
The team had a great time relaxing and enjoying their time together, and we are so happy to be able to continue providing these activities for our amazing staff who work so hard each and every day!
ID: Graphic has a vibrant purple background and contains 3 photos. The photo on the left shows (left to right) Niusha, Claudia, and Amy standing outside the Cade Museum under the sign. The top right photo shows (left to right) Claudia, Amy, and Niusha sitting at their table at Harry’s restaurant, enjoying a meal. The bottom right photo shows (left to right) Cade staff member, Niusha, Amy, and Claudia in the Fabrication (Fab) Lab, we’re standing around their 19th century printing press and pretending to use it as they did back in the day.
Mark your calendars for the Alachua County Emergency PreParedness EXPO happening THURSDAY, March 14th!
This FREE event is designed to equip everyone in our community, especially those with disabilities, with the knowledge and resources needed to tackle any emergency situation.
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024 Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Senior Recreation Center 5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32653
*PLEASE NOTE: ADA CERTIFIED CONSUMERS WILL BE ABLE TO RIDE FOR FREE ON MV TRANSPORTATION, TO AND FROM THE EVENT ON THAT DAY. PLEASE BE SURE TO SCHEDULE YOUR RIDE AT LEAST 24HRS IN ADVANCE.
Our Employment Program staff had a great time at their February team social! Lauren, Clara, and Brandon visited CAVA for a Greek lunch and the Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary. They met the owner Kari and the staff Diane who toured them around much of the 42 acre location. Many of the primates there come from inhumane backgrounds, but luckily, live a life of luxury now that they are in Ms. Kari’s hands! Thanks so much Employment Team for all that you do!
ID: There are four images in the graphic. The top left photo is of two Marmosets holding on to the fence and looking outwards. The top right photo is of Goldie Hawn and Udi, they are their biggest spider monkeys. The bottom left photo is of a black tufted-eared marmoset sitting in its enclosure. The bottom right photo is of a cottontop tamarin climbing the fence. The background is green and there is a blue box in the center that reads “Employment team social!” in white letters. The CILNCF logo is in the top right corner.
Protect yourself, your family, and your community! Come get your seasonal flu and Covid-19 vaccines at our upcoming event on March 14, 2024 from 8:00am – 1:00pm at the Senior Recreation Center in Gainesville.
ASL interpreters will be provided on-site and the first 45 people who receive vaccinations will be given a $10 Walmart or Publix gift card!
For additional accommodation requests, contact Emily Berndt at email eberndt@cilncf.org, by phone at (352) 378-7474, or via video phone at (352) 240-3079.
ID: Ad for an upcoming accessible vaccine clinic in Gainesville Florida on March 14th, 2024 from 8AM to 1PM. There are three organization logos features, including Disability Rights Florida, the Center for Independent Living, and USAging. The address listed is 5701 NW 34th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32653. There is a graphic of a green stick figure with arms stretched out, inside of a heart, with three plus signs around it. There is also a logo for ASL interpreting, which is offered on-site.
The CORE Team had a great time at their social this past month! They met at the indoor pavilion at the Veterans Memorial Park for a game day, and kicked off the festivities with a breakfast of bagels with cream cheese, fresh fruit and coffee! While enjoying the breakfast spread, they all introduced themselves for the new people in their group. They also had snacks of blueberry muffins and pretzels while playing games throughout the morning. Everyone had a blast learning more about each other while playing cards, learning a new Monopoly card game, and playing several rounds of Dominos. For lunch, they had a Publix pizza roll platter (with a happy face on it!), chips, veggies and dip, then cookies and brownies for dessert! It was a wonderful day away from the office, with lots of food, fun, games and laughter!
ID: There are two photos shown in the graphic. The top left photo is a selfie of the CIL CORE team (from left to right) Stephanie, Lucinda, Kevin, Terri, Patricia, Sada, and Colleen taking the photo and holding up a peace sign. They are sitting around a round table playing a game of dominos. The bottom right photo is of Colleen standing in front of the food and holding up the Publix pizza roll platter. The platter has a smiley face on it. The graphic has the CIL logo in the top right corner, with a white background and text that reads “CORE Team Social” in the bottom left corner, with a blue and purple ombre background.
We can’t believe another month has already begun, and hope everyone had a fabulous February! Please join us in saying a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CIL staff members who celebrated birthdays this past month! We hope you all had wonderful birthdays filled with lots of love, family and friendship!
PATRICIA – FEBRUARY 7th SADA – FEBRUARY 11th MYRTLE – FEBRUARY 25th
ID: Picture of Myrtle (left), Patricia (middle), and Sada (right) in the Gainesville CIL activity room. They are standing behind a table covered with a black tablecloth and white baby’s breath flowers in a vase to the left. An assortment of colorful sweet treats covers the remaining part of the table: cupcakes (chocolate, carrot cake and red velvet), a whole carrot cake, and mini cheesecakes (plain, strawberry and cookie dough). Myrtle, Patricia and Sada are all smiling and holding 2-3 long-stemmed yellow sunflowers each. Behind them on the light blue wall is a colorful banner that reads, “Happy Birthday” There is a bright green overlay on the picture. “Happy Birthday” is written in white across the bottom, with a white bar that separates it from additional text that reads, “Myrtle, Patricia, & Sada”
Join us for a FREE Presentation for on wearable assistive technology and handheld devices for individuals with low vision or blindness, brought to you by OrCam and the FAAST Program.
Date: Friday, March 8th Time: 12:00 PM Location: The Center for Independent Living 222 SW 36th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 33607
Who is it for? ✅ Those who are blind or visually impaired ✅ Anyone with reading challenges or learning differences
Whether you’re seeking independence or supporting a loved one, this event is a must-attend!
For questions, contact Claudia Avendano: (352) 378 – 7474 cavendano@cilncf.org
ID: graphic includes all the event details shared above. The FAAST and OrCam logos are displayed on the top center and the CILNCF logo is displayed on the bottom right. The background of the graphic has the color blue in the top left, purple in the top right, bright green in the bottom left, and turquoise in the bottom right.
The CIL’s FAAST (Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology) Program provides assistive technology to Floridians with disabilities and their loved ones. Recently, we were happy to host the FAAST Headquarters staff during their annual staff retreat, where they planned out their year and collaborated on what is to come at their organization. Gainesville is the perfect halfway point between Tallahassee (FAAST Headquarters) and the FAAST remote employees in Central Florida. During their visit, they received educational presentations from Florida and Virgin Island Deaf-Blind Collaborative (FAVI) and CIL of North Central Florida. The FAAST team enjoyed their time with us in Gainesville, and we welcome any of our program partners to utilize our space if they are ever in need!
ID: Background is light, fading colors of pink, purple, blue and green. The CIL logo is in the top left corner, and the FAAST logo is at the bottom right. Image within the graphic is a group picture of 6 adults smiling and standing, and 1 adult smiling and sitting in a wheelchair at the far right. They are outside in front of the CILNCF sign at the Gainesville office. From left to right: Ebony Small ( Administrative and Financial Coordinator), Kailey Medlock (Training & Community Development Director), Eric Reed ( Executive Director), Tony Delisle, (CILNCF Executive Director), Hannah Brock ( State Assistive Technology Program Director), Tim McCann (Outreach Specialist), Megan Atkinson (Financial Loan Coordinator)
This past week in the Ocala ILS group, Ms. Tammy (a volunteer) came to visit and lead an activity. She brought all the supplies along to make and decorate some hot chocolate Valentine’s mugs! The group made paper hot chocolate mugs with marshmallows on top. Then inside the mugs consumers placed a packet of hot chocolate. They were put in a bag, twist tied shut and ready to give to their favorite valentine the next day. Everyone had a fun time getting in the spirit of Valentine’s Day and creating a homemade give from the heart. Thank you Ms. Tammy from all of us here at the CIL!
ID: Graphic has a total of 4 pictures from the ILS activity, with a light pink background. The top left photo is a consumer holding a paper hot chocolate mugs with hearts on it and marshmallows on top. The top right photo shows the group creating their crafts. The bottom left is a group photo of consumers holding up the crafts they created. The bottom right photo is a consumer holding a paper hot chocolate mug with a big heart on it and “love” written inside the heart.
We had a great time celebrating Valentine’s Day at the CIL (grade school style!), thanks to our Health and Wellness team! CIL Staff were taken back to their childhoods and had the opportunity to decorate valentine’s boxes with their names on them. Throughout the day, everyone had so much fun sending valentine’s gifts, cards, notes, and candy to their fellow team members. We celebrated with bagels and pastries for breakfast and a large spread for lunch that included wraps, dips, crackers, cheese, fruit and tons of sweet and savory treats! Thanks so much Health and Wellness team, for filling our working Valentine’s Day with so much love and appreciation!
ID: First image has a bright red background with pink and white heart graphics in the top left and bottom right. There is also a white “xoxo” graphic in the center of the graphic. There are four photos shown in the graphic. The photo in the top left is in a heart shaped frame and shows (from left to right) CIL staff members Amy, Debbie, and Myrtle standing in the break room wearing their valentine’s day gear. Debbie is holding her plate of lunch. In the top right photo, the lunch spread is shown featuring a fruit tray, dip tray, wraps, cookies, and chocolate covered strawberries. The bottom left photo shows CIL staff (from left to right) Kelly and Ashlyn standing in the break room wearing matching pink pants. They are standing in front of a heart balloon and the staff’s decorated valentine’s day boxes. The bottom right photo is also in a heart-shaped frame showing off some valentine’s day pretzels and chocolates.
Second image has a light pink background with an assortment of red hearts and red chocolate candies. There are two photos in the graphic, each surrounded by a polaroid frame. The photo on the left shows (from left to right) CIL staff members Clara, Amy, and Cammeron. They are standing in front of the lunch table that has an assortment of fruit, dip, wraps, and cookies. There is an “xoxo” graphic on the polaroid border. The photo on the right shows the staff’s decorated valentine’s day boxes and a red valentine’s day heart balloon in the break room. The polaroid border has a three heart graphic.
