Happy Thanksgiving! On behalf of the CIL staff we hope everyone stays safe and enjoys their Thanksgiving meal. Be sure to save us some 🙂

The Independent Life is a podcast created by people with disabilities for people with disabilities and those who care about them. Here, we offer a unique lens into the world as we live it. Join us as we create unity through disability by taking a deep dive into the issues, ideas, services, and stories of courage, advocacy, and empowerment for living the independent life. 

Stay updated on our episodes releases by subscribing wherever you like to listen to podcasts. Our first episode launches on Thanksgiving Day! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-independent-life/id1541415342 

Don’t forget to join us for the 2nd installment of Disabilities & Disasters: Lunch-n-Learn series. The 2nd installment is Tuesday, November 17th @ 1 pm. Each month we cover disasters that impact those with disabilities and how to diminish the effects. Click the following link to register for this informative event! https://disabilitiesanddisasterscovid19.eventbrite.com

Earlier in October, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority highlighted Disability Employment Awareness Month as part of their Annual Unity Jam Week. During the week they hosted fundraisers, informational forums, community service activities, and more! They raised $200 in donations for our CIL! In addition to the monetary donation, they created sensory boards to used when resume in-person classes. The CIL couldn’t be more grateful!

Even though we are no longer able to host CIL classes in person that doesn’t mean that we have stopped providing the resources our consumers need! Join us for our various online classes every day of the week in November!

* Wednesday, November 11th is Veteran’s Day so the CIL will be closed that day and there will be no class that day.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Halloween from all of us here at the CIL! Stay safe and stay spooky.

Kevin Towles, one of our Consumer Specialist at our Ocala office, represented the CIL during Senior Day on Thursday, October 22nd. This day was hosted by Marion Senior Services, as an extension of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. They provide resources, information and/or educational material that improve the quality of life for those they serve. This event was a drive-thru-interactive only and was scheduled in conjunction with their monthly food distribution. It was an extremely successful day.

Our total donation for Give4Marion was…*drumroll*… $485!! We are so thankful for our donors. We wouldn’t be able to do our work in the community and change the lives of those with disabilities without your support. On behalf of the CIL staff and consumers, thank you!

Give4Marion has officially begun!! For the next 24-hours you can be a part of something amazing and donate to the CIL. Your donations are greatly appreciated, and they will fund youth programs, wheelchair ramp construction, employment needs, and more for those with disabilities.You can support us and our Marion county consumers by visiting our Give4Marion page below!

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