Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today, we wanted to use today to show our love and support for our consumers, advocates, supporters, and donors. Your belief in our mission drives us forward, and allows us to empower individuals with disabilities!

May your Valentine’s Day be filled with love and cherished moments 💌

ID: Graphic has a background comprised of an assortment of hearts in varying shades of red. The right side of the graphic has 4 large, drawn red hearts displayed down the side, each one a little smaller than the one above it. In the center is a blue overlay with a message from the CIL’s Executive Director, Tony Delisle saying, “I am constantly struck by the kind, loving, and generous hearts the CILNCF staff have when working so hard to serve our community. In the spirit of Love on this Valentine’s Day, I am sending well wishes to our wonderful consumers, amazing staff, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and supportive community advocates and partners. It is my sincere hope that the force of love our staff bring into our community can extend out into the entire world. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone.” The CILNCF logo is displayed on the bottom left corner.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Happy Mardi Gras from the CIL!  Today we’re celebrating with a HUGE King Cake adorned with purple, green and gold icing, the official colors of Mardi Gras!  The Mardi Gras season of feasting and fun begins on January 6th in New Orleans, the twelfth day after Christmas, and ends on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins.  Each King Cake has a tiny, plastic baby inside, and the lucky person who receives the slice of cake with the baby will have good fortune throughout the year!  This year, Myrtle is our lucky staff member who found the baby, congrats Myrtle!  Wishing everyone a wonderful Mardi Gras Day!  ✨🎉🎊 🎵

To learn more about Mardi Gras history and traditions, please check out the link below!

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

Picture ID: There are two pictures shown in the graphic, which has a vibrant purplce background with a mardi gras mask each on the top right corner and bottom left corner. The bottom right picture has a white border and is of (from left to right) CIL staff members Amy, Debbie and Myrtle, standing in the break room. Amy is holding up the box of King Cake, Debbie is holding up her piece of King Cake and Myrtle is holding up the plastic baby she found. The top left picture has a white border, and is an up close shot of the King Cake with purple, green and gold icing. There are decorative feathers displayed behind the photos in colors or yellow, green, dark purple, and light purple.

FREE Accessible Vaccine Clinic: February 15th

Protect yourself and your family with seasonal vaccines.

There will be an accessible vaccine clinic on February 15th. Flu shots will be available and FREE!

The first 25 people who get a vaccine will get a $10 gift card!

Interpreters will be on-site. For any other accommodation requests, email eberndt@cilncf.org or call (352) 378 – 7474; Video Phone (352) 240-3079.

ID: Flyer for vaccine clinic. Text reads: “Accessible vaccine clinic. COVID-19 and flu shots. February 15th. 1080 N. Pine Street. No Appointment needed. 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM”, and includes the information in the text above. There is clip art of a vaccine and ASL interpreting logo, as well as the CILNCF logo, Disability Rights FL logo, and ACL logo.

Celebrating January Birthdays!

WOW, we blinked and January was gone, so we are finally sending out our January birthday wishes! Please join us in saying a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CIL staff members who celebrated birthdays in January! We hope you all had wonderful birthdays celebrating YOU and the start of the new year!

KATHY – JANUARY 6th
MEDJINA – JANUARY 10th
RILEY – JANUARY 25TH

ID: Picture of Riley (left) and Medjina (right) in the Gainesville CIL activity room. They are standing behind a table covered with a dark pink tablecloth, red, pink and white flowers in a vase, and a variety of colorful cupcakes: vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, carrot cake and red velvet. A turquoise overlays on top of the photo with “Happy Birthday” written in white, a white bar separating the text from additional text that reads, “MEDJINA, RILEY & KATHY (not pictured)”.

7th Annual Marion County Emergency PreParedness EXPO

🚨 Calling all Marion County Residents! 🚨

Get ready for the Marion County Emergency PreParedness EXPO – an essential event for everyone in our community, especially those with disabilities, to ensure we’re prepared for any emergency! This FREE expo brings together a wealth of resources, vendors, and speakers dedicated to equipping us with the knowledge and tools we need to stay safe and resilient.

From expert speakers sharing valuable insights to interactive demonstrations and access to a diverse array of vendors, there’s something for everyone at this expo. Whether it’s crafting a personalized emergency plan or learning essential survival skills, this event has you covered. Sign language interpretation will be available.

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: College of Central Florida, Ewers Century Center
3001 SW College Rd., Ocala, FL 34474

REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emergency-preparedness-expo-for-people-with-disabilities-in-marion-county-tickets-688161990037

For more information about the event, please email Kevin Towles at ktowles@cilncf.org or call (352) 368 – 3788

ID: Graphic includes all the information provided above for this event

3rd Annual Alachua County Emergency PreParedness EXPO

🚨 Attention Alachua County Residents! 🚨

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Alachua County Emergency PreParedness EXPO! 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.

Join us for a day filled with valuable information, interactive sessions, and access to a diverse range of vendors and speakers dedicated to emergency preparedness. Whether it’s creating a personalized emergency plan or learning essential survival skills, there’s something for everyone at this expo. Sign language interpretation will be available.

Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Senior Recreation Center
5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32653

REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emergency-preparedness-expo-for-people-with-disabilities-in-alachua-county-registration-718046706027

For more information about the event, please email Kevin Towles at ktowles@cilncf.org or call (352) 368 – 3788

ID: Graphic includes all the information provided above for this event

Valentine’s Day Consumer Event: February 10th

Join us for a fun Valentine’s Party at CILNCF! Enjoy a delightful evening filled with crafts, puzzles, and games specially curated for our wonderful consumers. Bring your friends and family to share in the joy of togetherness.

📅 Save the Date: Saturday, February 10th
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: CIL Gainesville | 222 SW 36th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32607

Have questions? Email Ashlyn Michael at: amichael@cilncf.org or call (352) 378 – 7474 ext. 2056

ID: Graphic is a light pink with sketched hearts distributed throughout. In the top left is a heart with the CIL logo displayed in the middle. “Crafts” is written on a light blue candy heart illustration, “Puzzles” is written on a light purple candy heart illustration, “Games” is written on a light yellow candy heart illustration. “Friends and family welcome” is written on notebook paper with a piece of tape sticking it to the graphic. The CIL Gainesville address is written on a purple rectangle with a maps icon pinning it to the graphic. All the event information is provided on the graphic.

FREE Presentation on Vehicle Navigation for Individuals with Wheelchairs and Limited Mobility

Join us for a FREE Presentation brought to you by Triple S Mobility and the FAAST Program.

Date: Friday, January 19th
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: The Center for Independent Living
2760 SE 17th Street, Suite 300, Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 368-3788

🔍 What to expect:
✅ Insights into vehicle navigation technology
✅ Tips for enhanced mobility
✅ Learn about modified vehicles

Whether you’re seeking independence or supporting a loved one, this event is a must-attend!

For questions, contact Brandon Palermo:
(352) 368-3788 ext. 1012
bpalermo@cilncf.org

ID: event graphic includes all the event details shared above.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Day!

On this powerful day, let’s reflect on Dr. King’s timeless words. As a center for disability, we stand united in the fight against injustice. Inclusion, accessibility, and equality are not just words for us; they are our guiding principles.

Let’s continue working together to create a world where justice prevails, where every voice is heard, and where inclusivity knows no bounds. Today, we honor a legacy of courage and determination, and we pledge to keep the flame of equality burning bright.

ID: Graphic has vibrant purple background that reads, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

FREE Accessible Vaccine Clinic January 18th

Protect yourself and your family with seasonal vaccines.

There will be an accessible vaccine clinic on January 18th. Flu shots will be available and FREE! 
Even better, the first 20 people who get a vaccine will get a $10 gift card! 

Interpreters will be on-site. For any other accommodation requests, email eberndt@cilncf.org or call (352) 378 – 7474; Video Phone (352) 240-3079.

See you there!

ID: Flyer for vaccine clinic. Text reads: “Accessible vaccine clinic. COVID-19 and flu shots. January 18th. 10501 Hampton Avenue, Starke, FL. No Appointment needed. 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM”, and includes the information in the text above. There is clip art of a vaccine and ASL interpreting logo, as well as the CILNCF logo, Disability Rights FL logo, and ACL logo.