Save the date ❤️

The Amazing Give is coming up on April 30th from 8 AM to 8 PM.

This community-wide day of giving brings people together to support local nonprofits working to make a difference across North Central Florida. CIL will once again be participating to raise funds that support services for individuals with disabilities, including advocacy, independent living skills, accessibility resources, and assistive technology.

Every gift helps create more opportunities for independence and inclusion in our community.

Mark your calendar and stay tuned for ways you can get involved on April 30th.

Learn more: www.theamazinggive.org

Emergencies can happen at any time. Being prepared helps protect your safety, independence, and peace of mind.

Join the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida and community partners for the 5th Annual Alachua County Emergency Preparedness Expo, a free community event focused on helping people with disabilities and their families prepare for emergencies in our area.

Local organizations, agencies, and vendors will share practical resources and information on what to do before, during, and after an emergency. Learn how to build a plan, access community support, and stay safe while maintaining independence.

📅 March 12 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Senior Recreation Center
5701 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32653

Guest Speakers:
– Florida Poison Control
– Alachua County Animal Services

ASL interpreters will be provided to ensure accessibility for all attendees.

This event is open to community members, caregivers, and families who want to learn how to better prepare for emergencies together.

For more information:
📧 Kevin Towles: ktowles@cilncf.org
📞 (352) 368-3788

Come connect with local resources and leave with the knowledge and tools to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Emergencies can happen at any time; preparation is power. Join us for a free community event dedicated to helping people with disabilities prepare, plan, and stay safe before, during, and after an emergency.

This expo brings together local organizations, agencies, and vendors who will share valuable resources, safety tips, and support services that promote independence and peace of mind.

📅 February 21, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Columbia County Senior Services
628 SE Allison Ct, Lake City, FL 32025

🗣 ASL Interpreters will be provided

Whether you are planning for hurricane season, severe weather, or unexpected emergencies, this event is designed to equip you and your loved ones with the tools and knowledge you need.

For more information:
📧 Kevin Towles at ktowles@cilncf.org
📞 (352) 368-3788

We hope to see you there as we work together to build a safer, more prepared community. 💙

Today, we honor the leadership and history that have helped shape our nation, and we reflect on the freedoms and rights that continue to guide our work every day.

At the CIL, we remain committed to empowering people with disabilities to live independently, advocate for their rights, and thrive in their communities. The progress we celebrate today reminds us that meaningful change happens when voices are heard and communities come together.

Please note: Our offices in Gainesville and Ocala will be closed today, February 16th in observance of Presidents’ Day. We will reopen during regular business hours tomorrow, February 17th.

If you need assistance, please feel free to leave us a message, and a member of our team will follow up as soon as we return.

Access shouldn’t depend on where you live. That’s why our team meets people where they are.

Each month, CIL staff member Kevin travels to CareerSource in Levy and Citrus Counties, ensuring individuals with disabilities can connect with support even if they’re unable to come to Gainesville or Ocala.

We also host monthly outreach in Putnam County at Goodwill in Palatka, creating consistent, accessible opportunities to meet with our team, ask questions, and get connected to resources.

If you or someone you know would like to meet with CIL staff in Levy, Citrus, or Putnam County, you can call our Gainesville or Ocala offices to find out when staff will be available in your area.

Because support should be accessible, local, and built around community. 💙

Through an opportunity with the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL), we were able to submit a grant alongside Simply Healthcare and receive $10,000 toward direct services for individuals with disabilities in our community.

One wheelchair ramp has already been built in Bradford County, and the remaining funds will be used to purchase Durable Medical Equipment (DME) to support individuals who need essential assistive technology to live safely and independently.

We are incredibly thankful to Simply Healthcare for this meaningful opportunity and for helping make a tangible impact in the lives of the people we serve. 💪♿

Pictured left to right: Sada, Cammeron, Kevin, Sherie Jane (Simply Healthcare), Jacee, and Mika.

Join us for a community-wide event focused on emergency readiness for situations that may impact our area.

Local organizations, agencies, and vendors will be on site sharing resources and guidance on what to do before, during, and after an emergency, with a focus on services that support safety, accessibility, and independence for everyone.

🗓 February 21, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Columbia County Senior Service
628 SE Allison Ct, Lake City, FL 32025

🤟 ASL interpreters will be provided

This is a free, family-friendly event and all are welcome.

📩 For more information, email Kevin Towles at ktowles@cilncf.org
📞 Or call (352) 368-3788

Prepared communities are stronger communities. We hope to see you there. 💙

Dr. King’s vision reminds us that justice, equity, and dignity are not privileges. They are rights that belong to everyone.

At the CIL, we carry this message forward by advocating for access and the right for people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in their communities.

MLK Day is not just a day of remembrance. It is a call to action. A reminder that progress happens when we show up for one another, speak up for equality, and continue the work toward a more accessible world.

And on this day, we share with you the following words of encouragement from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving forward.”

In recognition of Dr. King’s lasting impact and his commitment to equality, our offices will be closed today.

Confidence grows when students are given the chance to lead, collaborate, and try.

On January 9th, students from Citrus Transition Academy at Withlacoochee Technical College and Project Looking Ahead at Hernando High School came together for a hands-on lesson in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving.

As part of our Soft Skills to Pay the Bills activities facilitated by Andrea, students were challenged to build the tallest freestanding structure possible using only dry spaghetti and marshmallows, with just 15 minutes on the clock.

What stood out most wasn’t just the creativity, it was how well students from both schools worked together, communicated clearly, and supported one another throughout the challenge. The competition was tight, too, with the winning height at Project Looking Ahead coming down to just ½ an inch.

These moments show how practicing soft skills in real time helps students build confidence for what comes next. We’re proud of the teamwork, effort, and energy these students brought to the challenge.

The Citrus winning team consisted of (top left photo L to R): Jayla, Rahmah, and Sarah

The Hernando winning team consisted of (top left photo L to R): Logan, Austin, Omar, and William

As we step into a new year, all of us at the CIL want to take a moment to thank you — our consumers, partners, supporters, and community — for walking alongside us.

The year behind us was one of growth, resilience, and connection. Together, we continued advancing independence, access, and opportunity for people with disabilities across the communities we serve. Your trust, collaboration, and belief in this work make everything we do possible.

As we look ahead, we do so with renewed hope and commitment. In the year to come, CIL remains dedicated to building stronger, more accessible communities where people with disabilities have the resources, support, and freedom to live with dignity and self-determination.

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping shape a more accessible and equitable future.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and hopeful New Year!