As we continue embracing the spirit of gratitude, let’s take a moment to relive the incredible moments we shared during our Community Wellness Wednesdays last month. It was a celebration of growth, well-being, and the bonds that make our community truly special.

Activities held included:

🌱 Seeds of Growth: We got our hands dirty and our hearts full as we planted seeds in pots, symbolizing the growth and resilience within each of us.

🥦 Fueling Our Bodies with Knowledge: A huge shoutout to the nutritionist who joined us for an insightful session on healthy eating! Interactive activities made learning about nutrition a fun and engaging experience for everyone.

🎲 Interactive Games: From friendly competitions to collaborative challenges, we celebrated the power of play.

🐾 Mindfulness Moments with Furry Friends: The therapy dogs’ visit brought smiles and calmness to our space. Mindfulness practices allowed us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the present moment.

🍁 Nature’s Canvas: We explored the outdoors during our walk, collecting items for crafts. Painting leaves and stamping them on paper, and crafting turkeys from pinecones, turned nature into a vibrant masterpiece.

🌟 Healthy Relationships with FOSTER at UF: A heartfelt thank you to the FOSTER team from UF for sharing insights on healthy relationships! Interactive activities empowered us to navigate the journey of connection and understanding.

Every activity was a step towards building a healthier, happier, and more connected community. 🤝💚 Our consumer’s participation, energy, and enthusiasm make The CIL a space where wellness thrives! Here’s to more moments of growth, learning, and community love in the months to come.

Celebrating a Fall season filled with joy, creativity, and connection at The CIL’s Youth Social Group! 🍁🍂 From circus thrills to culinary skills, our incredible community came together for a series of unforgettable activities. The memorable activities we shared included: Gainesville Circus Center visits the CIL, Clay Creations, Cooking Class, Mini Pumpkin Painting, Costume Party Game Night, and Sustainable Craft Night.

These moments wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support and enthusiasm of our Youth Social Group members. 🤗💙 Thank you for making this Fall season so special! Stay tuned for more adventures and heartwarming experiences as we continue to build an inclusive and vibrant community at The CIL.

ID: This post contains a total of 3 graphic collages, each with a search bar in the middle that reads, “CIL Youth Social Group” and a magnifying glass next to it (imitating an internet search bar).

Graphic 1 displays three photos from the Costume Party Game Night. The top photo is a group photo of 9 members. The bottom left photo shows 5 members sitting around a table playing games. The bottom right photo shows a member playing a party; they are blind folded and are attempting to place a sticker on a skeleton placed on the wall.

Graphic 2 has three photos from when the Gainesville Circus Center visited the CIL. The top photo is a group photo of the members along with the Gainesville Circus Center. The bottom left photo shows two girls showcasing their balancing skills. The bottom right photo is a member of the Gainesville Circus Center dressed as a clown.

Graphic 3 has four photos from the Clay Creations, Cooking Class, Mini Pumpkin Painting, and Sustainable Craft Night. The top left photo is a member holding a clay creation of a green guitar. The top right photo shows plates of food from Cooking Class. The bottom left photo shows a member holding pine cone crafted into a bat. The bottom right photo shows a painted mini pumpkin.

Join us for a festive celebration at the CIL Holiday Party! 🎄❄️

Friends and family, you’re all invited to indulge in the holiday spirit with cookie decorating, a cozy hot chocolate bar, ornament making, and delightful holiday crafts. 🍪☕🎨 Let’s come together to create special memories and spread the joy of the season! Save the date, bring your loved ones, and let’s make this holiday season unforgettable! 🎁

WHEN: Monday, December 4th | 6 pm – 8 pm
WHERE: CIL Gainesville | 222 SW 36th Ter, Gainesville, FL 32607

Join us for a webinar on the latest COVID-19 update that will discuss the new variant, with Dr. IV Mirus!

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, November 28th, 2023
🕒 Time: 5pm – 7pm EST
📍 Location: ZOOM

Webinar link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86942422408?pwd=7wO9bO8iaxFzcgR6NTogW74IQnbYEA.1

ZOOM Meeting ID: 869 4242 2408
Passcode: 7adTyM

Dr. IV Mirus, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and ER Physician at UT Southwestern, Parkland Hospital, and Children’s Dallas Hospital, is not only a medical expert but also a passionate advocate for the Deaf community. Born as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) and equipped with experience as an ASL interpreter, Dr. Mirus has dedicated himself to bridging the communication gap between Deaf patients and the healthcare system. His commitment has been pivotal in shaping policies and practices that cater to the unique needs of Deaf individuals, making significant strides toward healthcare equity. 🤝

Join us as Dr. Mirus shares valuable insights, empowers the community, and educates on the latest developments regarding COVID-19 and the new variant.

Do you or do you know someone who is in need of Durable Medical Equipment Here’s what to know about our DME Closet:

🔍 WHAT: Step into our DME Closet – a carefully maintained inventory featuring wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, shower chairs, and more! We’ve got the tools you need for a more accessible life.

👥 WHO: The DME Closet is a valuable resource for community members living with disabilities and those in recovery from injury or surgery. We’re here to support you on your journey to greater independence.

💙 WHY: We’re on a mission to provide DME to uninsured and underinsured community members, empowering them to lead more independent lives. Your well-being is our priority!

📍 WHERE: Our catchment area includes Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union counties.

🗓️ WHEN: Please call to schedule a pick-up or drop-off. Our DME inventory is kept in a storage unit, and scheduling an appointment will give us time to go collect the requested item(s).

📞 HOW: If we have the item, we will arrange a pick-up or drop-off. If we do not, we will hold onto your request until the item is made available and share resources that may help with obtaining the item.

Call CILNCF Gainesville at 352-378-7474 or CILNCF Ocala at 352-368-3788

🤝 Let’s spread the word about this amazing resource and continue supporting each other on the journey to independence!

Brandon and Andrea rocked the Oak Run Health Fair! Representing both CIL and FAAST, they shared valuable information to the wonderful residents of Oak Run community. 🌳

It was a day filled with community connection and health awareness. Brandon and Andrea worked tirelessly, sharing insights and resources to empower everyone with the knowledge they need. 💙

Big shoutout to Oak Run for hosting such a fantastic event! Let’s keep fostering a healthy community together! 🍃

We had an amazing time at the McIntosh 1890s Festival this year! 🌳🌸 This iconic Florida event, with its rich history and Victorian charm, drew over 40,000 visitors and hosted more than 250 vendors this year. 🎡 From arts and crafts to antiques, custom jewelry, and homemade goodies, there was something for everyone. The McIntosh 1890s Festival is not just a feast for the senses but also a vital fundraiser for local organizations, including the Friends of McIntosh.

CIL was thrilled to be a part of this incredible celebration, sharing information about our impactful work in the area. Did you stop by our booth? Our team was dedicated to spreading awareness about the services and resources available to people with disabilities in our community. We shared insights into our mission and the local initiatives we support. Your support means the world to us, and events like these allow us to connect with you, our amazing community.

Thank you, McIntosh, for your warm hospitality and for being a part of the legacy that makes this festival one of Florida’s premier events. 🌟 Let’s keep building a stronger community together!

ID: This post contains 3 pictures. Picture #1 has a purple background and shows Kevin, Brandon, Sada and Ashlyn at the CIL table with brochures about CIL services. Picture #2 has a turquoise background and shows an overview of the event with attendees walking down the festival street, lined with booth tents and trees. Picture #3 has a bright green background and shows Sada at the CIL booth sharing information with an attendee; Ashlyn is petting a dog next to the booth. All 3 pictures have “McIntosh 1890s Festival” written on the top left corner, the CIL logo displayed on the top right corner, and CILNCF written on the bottom right corner.

Had an amazing time at National Night Out, hosted by Citrus Co. Emergency Management! It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with our community and showcase the incredible partnerships that make our community thrive. Local government groups like the Sheriff’s Dept., Fire Dept., United Way, Supervisor of Election, Publix, and many more came together to strengthen the bond with our neighbors.

Kevin was on a mission, passing out valuable info about CILNCF and spreading awareness about the incredible services we provide. Moreover, he had the chance to network with other companies, building bridges for future collaborations that will benefit our community even more!

National Night Out was all about strengthening community partnerships, and we’re thrilled to be a part of such an impactful initiative. Let’s continue building connections and making a positive impact together!

ID:
Picture 1: Standing at CILNCF table, Kevin Towles (CIL) Lane Schneider (Emergency Management Coordinator), Christopher Evan (Director – Emergency Management Division)
Picture 2: Is the flyer of the event.
Picture 3: Event exhibit showing the vendors and attendees

CIL staff celebrated Halloween with a spooktacular twist as part of our monthly Health and Wellness activities. Gainesville’s team enjoyed a tasty Publix buffet, while Ocala staff relished delicious Publix box lunches. Fun activities included Halloween trivia, word games, a pumpkin challenge, and a lively costume contest. Laughter, sweet and savory treats, and camaraderie made it a memorable day. Throughout the season, our Halloween spirit shone with creative door decorations, and a “Spooky Secret Staff” game added a spooky touch to the weeks leading up to Halloween. We hope you all had a bewitching Halloween season!

ID: Nine graphics are included:

Pic #1: Gainesville staff in the activity room – A group picture with staff members in various costumes, including Clara and Holly as jelly beans, Amy with Haunted Mansion Minnie ears, Ashlyn as an astronaut, Sada as a cockroach, CIL interns Kayla and Jillian as Florida tourists, Cammeron as Akatsuki (Crimson Moon) from Anime, and Alex as a rock star with a spiky red wig and guitar.

Pic #2: Ocala staff – Colleen and Lucinda enjoying lunch at a table, with Colleen dressed as Rey from Star Wars, holding a lightsaber.

Pic #3: Gainesville staff at the buffet – Ashlyn, Stephanie in a Gator jersey, and Lindsey with Stephanie holding her plate of food.

Pic #4: Lunchtime trio – Niusha, Kim, and Claudia at a table, with Claudia holding a cupcake, wearing a bright orange pumpkin shirt.

Pic #5: Sada and Cammeron – Seated at a table in their costumes, enjoying lunch.

Pic #6: Alex with his guitar – Posing in his rock star costume, holding a guitar pick with his right arm raised.

Pic #7: Myrtle as the “Cereal Killer” – Posing in a costume with small cereal boxes and plastic spoons taped to her shirt, holding a plastic knife.

Pic #8: Clara and Holly – Dressed as jelly beans, standing side by side.

Pic #9: CIL interns Kayla and Jillian – Posing in their Florida tourist costumes, with Kayla pretending to take a picture and Jillian pointing with an open mouth and wide-eyed expression.

In collaboration with Advocates for Adult Children with Intellectual Disabilities (AACID) and the FAAST Program, the CIL invites you to a FREE presentation.  The AACID will be discussing various resources, such as food stamps, SSI benefits, and community support options for adult children with intellectual disabilities.  AACID member John Langan will be presenting.

We welcome you to join via Zoom.  Anyone who would like to use their video phone for interpreters, the Zoom information has a phone number which the interpreter can use to connect to the call.

WHEN:  Friday, November 3, 2023 @ 10 AM (EST) / 9 AM (CST)
WHERE:  via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86184197216?pwd=Z25heldmdWFsR1VacmhOU013SENuUT09

Meeting ID: 861 8419 7216
Passcode: 031553

One tap mobile
+13052241968,,86184197216#,,,,*031553# US
+16469313860,,86184197216#,,,,*031553# US

For questions, contact Brandon Palermo at (352) 368-3788 ext. 1012, or via e-mail bpalermo@cilncf.org.

ID:  Graphic includes all the information shared above.  The FAAST and AACID logos are displayed at the top center.  The CIL logo is displayed at the bottom right.  The graphic is bordered with the CIL colors:  fuchsia in the top right, turquoise in the bottom right, green in the bottom left, and blue in the top left.