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.
At CIL, we are dedicated to supporting education and opportunity for students with disabilities as they take the next steps toward independence and success. 💙
A huge thank you to Lori Auxier and ECMC Group for hosting an incredible College Night event! 🎓💡 Attendees gained invaluable insights on choosing the right school and program, setting achievable education and training goals, and tapping into key campus resources.
We are especially proud to celebrate Myonna, an Alachua County #FloridaHSHT student, who won the $1,000 scholarship drawing! 🎉👏 We know this will be a meaningful step toward your future success, and we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!
ID: A congratulatory graphic for Myonna winning a $1,000 scholarship, featuring College Nights and The Able Trust logos.
After the challenges brought on by last year’s hurricane season, we received numerous requests for Durable Medical Equipment (DME), specifically wheelchairs and rolling walkers, to support people with disabilities in our community. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Travis Stone and the team at Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), we were able to meet these urgent needs.
FODAC’s donation made a world of difference for our consumers, providing them with the mobility aids they needed during a tough time. We are so grateful for their support and are beyond thankful to have such a compassionate partner by our side.
Thank you, FODAC, for stepping up when our community needed it the most! 💙
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A couple weeks ago, we had a wonderful time at CILNCF celebrating Valentine’s Day by getting creative with our staff wellness event! Each team member decorated a personal box, and throughout the week, we spread the love by placing Valentine-themed treats and encouraging notes in one another’s boxes.
These small, heartfelt gestures helped us show appreciation for each other and reminded us how important it is to foster well-being in our workplace. When our staff feels supported and valued, we’re better equipped to serve our community of individuals with disabilities. Here’s to continuing to uplift one another—together, we create a stronger, more supportive environment for everyone!
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🗓 Saturday, February 22, 2025 🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Columbia County Senior Services, 628 SE Allison Court, Lake City, FL
At this FREE event, we’re all about HELPING OTHERS, AFTER THE DISASTER – focusing on emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities in our community.
What to Expect: ✅ A variety of vendors and expert speakers ✅ Resources and tips for emergency preparedness ✅ ASL interpreters available to ensure accessibility for everyone
📝 REGISTRATION: Visit www.cilncf.org to sign up!
A huge thank you to our generous vendors for their incredible support in making this expo possible.
For more information, contact Kevin Towles at ktowles@cilncf.org or call (352) 368-3788.
We look forward to seeing you there and empowering our community to be better prepared!
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We’re honored to be nominated for Best of the 352 in Non-Profit Organization and Customer Service! 🎉
This recognition highlights our commitment to empowering people with disabilities. Winning would help us expand our impact and continue serving our community.
✅ Vote once per day to help us win!
1️⃣ Cast your vote here: https://bestofthe352.com/vote/ 2️⃣ Select “Services” 3️⃣ Select “Nonprofit Organization” 4️⃣ Select “Center for Independent Living” 5️⃣ Click “Submit ballot” on the right 6️⃣ Set a reminder to cast your vote every day
Your support makes a difference—thank you! 💙
ID: A blue graphic with “Best of the 352” text, a green “Vote for Us” banner, and the CIL logo for the Center for Independent Living.
Our CIL team came together for our Annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon to celebrate the holiday season and each other! We shared laughs over our competitive White Elephant game, enjoyed a delicious potluck, and honored team members who achieved milestone awards this year.
Beyond the festivities, CIL is committed to fostering a supportive workplace by prioritizing staff well-being. We incorporated wellness activities to encourage connection, relaxation, and self-care, ensuring our team feels valued not just for their work, but as individuals.
More than just a festive gathering, this luncheon reflects our commitment to creating a space where everyone feels valued and celebrated. We’re grateful for our amazing team and all we’ve accomplished together!
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Recently, our staff came together to celebrate Lunar New Year, a time of renewal, reflection, and connection. We enjoyed each other’s company, trivia, traditional foods, and learned about our Chinese Zodiac signs, deepening our appreciation for this rich cultural tradition.
A highlight of the event was exchanging red envelopes (Hongbao), symbolizing good fortune, prosperity, and shared joy—values that align with our mission of empowerment and independent living.
Celebrating traditions like Lunar New Year strengthens our community by fostering understanding, appreciation, and unity. Wishing everyone happiness, success, and good fortune in the Year of the Snake!
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This Valentine’s Day, we’re embracing the power of love in all its forms – a love that sees beyond limitations and celebrates the unique abilities of every person.
At the CIL, we believe that love, kindness, and respect should be extended to everyone, no matter their ability. Let’s continue to build a world where everyone is seen, valued, and accepted.
Today, we honor the beautiful differences within our communities and the incredible individuals who inspire us every day. Whether you’re surrounded by family, friends, or just sharing a moment of self-love, know that YOU are an important part of a loving and united world.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Let’s spread kindness, love, and respect – today and every day.
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The CIL will be attending the upcoming Citrus County School District’s Transition Fair and presenting about the important services we offer to the Citrus County community!
Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, February 22nd ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 📍 Location: Christ Community Church 1690 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, FL 34461
Other amazing organizations, including Special Olympics and Family Care Council, will also share valuable information on how we can support individuals with disabilities.
💡 Don’t miss the chance to connect with multiple vendors and learn more about available resources in Citrus County!
We’re excited to invite you to the following Spring Transition Fairs, where the CIL will be tabling, specially designed for families of students with disabilities. These events are a fantastic opportunity to learn about resources and services that support the transition from school to adulthood, helping students become successful learners, wage earners, and engaged members of the community.
CLERMONT EVENT DETAILS: 🗓 Date: Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Location: Cooper Memorial Library Room 108 A & B, Lake-Sumter State College 1250 N. Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711
Register for Clermont Spring 2025 Transition Fair Leesburg: https://bit.ly/ClermontSpring2025TransitionFair
LEESBURG EVENT DETAILS: 🗓 Date: Thursday, February 6th, 2025 🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Location: Magnolia Room, Lake-Sumter State College 9501 US Hwy 441, Leesburg, FL 34788
Register for Leesburg Spring 2025 Transition Fair: https://bit.ly/LeesburgSpring2025TransitionFair
These fairs are hosted by Student Accessibility Services at Lake-Sumter State College in collaboration with the Lake County Interagency Transition Council. They will provide valuable information on adult independent living, education, job training opportunities, finances, guardianship, health services, rights and responsibilities, and social security support services.
This event is designed for students, parents, and caregivers who are looking for guidance and resources to help support independence and success for individuals with disabilities in adult roles. Don’t miss the chance to connect with experts, gather important resources, and take the next step in the transition journey.
We look forward to seeing you there and helping to create a positive impact on the future of students with disabilities!
