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.
We’re making improvements to our Gainesville office!
Beginning Wednesday, November 4, our Gainesville office will be temporarily closed while the building’s roof is being replaced. The office will remain closed through Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day).
While our doors are temporarily closed, our team is still here to support you! Staff will remain available via email and will be returning phone messages throughout the closure.
We anticipate reopening on Thursday, November 12.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these necessary improvements to our facility. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Creativity, friendly competition, and a little Halloween magic filled the halls of the CIL as staff participated in our annual Halloween Door Decorating Contest!
Seven doors were transformed into festive Halloween displays, featuring everything from haunted mansions and spooky spiders to adorable costumed dachshunds and a little Hocus Pocus!
CIL staff and our Board of Directors cast their votes to determine the top three doors, with the winners receiving a little extra time off as their prize!
And the Winners Are… 🏆
🥇 First Place: – Winifred Sanderson’s Spellbook Prize: 3 Hours of Vacation Time
🥈 Second Place: Happy Halloweenie! Prize: 2 Hours of Vacation Time
🥉 Third Place: Haunted Mansion Prize: 1 Hour of Vacation Time
Congratulations to our winners and a big thank you to everyone who participated!
Take a Tour of Our Halloween Doors! Each participating staff member brought their own creativity and Halloween spirit to the contest. Here’s a look at all seven entries!
Door #1: Haunted Mansion 🌕 | Third Place
A spooky mansion sits beneath a glowing yellow full moon against an iridescent, star-filled sky. Black and purple bats appear to fly right out of the mansion, growing larger as they approach. A light-up bat lantern adds the finishing touch to this hauntingly beautiful display.
Door #2: Winifred Sanderson’s Spellbook 📖 | First Place
Straight out of the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, this door recreates Winifred Sanderson’s infamous spellbook! Complete with a watchful green eye, stitched leather-like detailing, silver snake embellishments, and an eerie description of the book’s origins, this entry brought a little Sanderson Sisters magic to the CIL office.
Door #3: Happy Halloweenie! 🌭 | Second Place
Halloween has never looked so adorable! Against a bright purple backdrop, a collection of dachshunds dressed in Halloween costumes shares funny sayings like “Witch way to the treat jar?” and “We are just a couple of hot dogs in disguise!” Snoopy and Tweety join in the fun, making this door a sweet and playful celebration of Halloween.
Door #4: A-BOO-solutely Spooky! 👻
This ghostly creation features hanging ghosts, glowing eyes, and a light-up “BOO!” sign made to resemble skeleton bones. Black bats, shimmering spiderwebs, and colorful sparkly spiders complete the display, creating a spooky scene filled with Halloween surprises.
Door #5: Haunted Pumpkin Patch 🎃
A festive combination of spooky and sweet, this door features Halloween-themed words, black spiders, decorative bows, and a “Happy Halloween” wreath surrounded by skulls. A pumpkin patch filled with orange and white pumpkins brings a classic fall touch to the display.
Door #6: Creepy Crawly Halloween 🕷️
Spiders take center stage on this Halloween door! Orange webs stretch across a black background, with colorful oversized spiders, skulls, and bats scattered throughout. Purple and green garland frames the doorway, completing this creepy-crawly creation.
Door #7: A Little Hocus Pocus 🧙♀️
The Sanderson Sisters made another appearance in our Halloween festivities! Inspired by Hocus Pocus, this door features the sisters, their famous spellbook, and the iconic Black Flame Candle. It’s a magical tribute to a beloved Halloween favorite!
Celebrating Creativity and Team Spirit at CIL
While the contest brought out some friendly competition, the real highlight was seeing our staff’s creativity and enthusiasm on full display.
Activities like our Halloween Door Decorating Contest are a fun way to bring our team together, celebrate the season, and create a welcoming, festive atmosphere for everyone who visits CIL.
We extend a special thank you to our staff members who participated and to our Board of Directors and staff who helped select this year’s winners.
From all of us at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, we wish our community a happy, safe, and accessible Halloween! 🎃🧡
May your Halloween be filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of treats!
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize the valuable contributions of workers with disabilities and reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible workforce.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy leads this national observance to celebrate the skills, talents, and achievements of individuals with disabilities while raising awareness about the importance of equal employment opportunities.
The theme for 2026, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” highlights the important role people with disabilities play in strengthening our workplaces, communities, and economy.
At the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF), we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment, achieve greater independence, and build a future that reflects their personal goals and aspirations.
Employment Is an Important Part of Independent Living
Meaningful employment is about much more than earning a paycheck. It provides opportunities for personal growth, financial independence, community participation, and a greater sense of purpose.
For people with disabilities, access to employment can also be an important part of achieving independence and exercising greater choice and control over their lives.
However, many individuals with disabilities continue to encounter barriers when seeking employment or advancing in their careers. These challenges can include inaccessible workplaces, limited transportation options, misconceptions about disability, and a lack of appropriate workplace accommodations.
Removing these barriers requires a shared commitment from employers, community organizations, policymakers, and individuals to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities to contribute their skills and pursue their professional goals.
Building a More Inclusive Workforce
An inclusive workplace recognizes that every individual brings unique experiences, perspectives, and talents to the table.
Creating accessible employment opportunities benefits not only people with disabilities but also the businesses and communities they serve. When employers prioritize accessibility and inclusion, they can expand their talent pools, support employee success, and create workplace environments where more people can thrive.
Inclusion also means recognizing that disabilities are not always visible. Individuals with physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities deserve equitable access to employment opportunities and the support necessary to succeed.
Employers can help advance disability inclusion by making their hiring processes accessible, providing reasonable accommodations, promoting disability awareness, and fostering a workplace culture built on respect and equal opportunity.
Our Commitment to Disability Rights and Independence
At CILNCF, our mission is rooted in the belief that people with disabilities should have the same rights, opportunities, and choices as everyone else.
Through advocacy, education, independent living services, and community partnerships, we work to help individuals with disabilities overcome barriers and pursue greater independence in all aspects of life, including employment.
We recognize that meaningful inclusion goes beyond simply providing access. It means ensuring individuals with disabilities have opportunities to make their own decisions, develop their skills, participate fully in their communities, and pursue the futures they envision for themselves.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made while recognizing the important work that remains.
Celebrating Value and Talent Beyond October
While October provides a dedicated time to recognize disability employment, promoting accessibility and equal opportunity is a year-round responsibility.
We encourage employers, community members, and organizations throughout North Central Florida to consider how they can help create more inclusive workplaces and expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Whether through accessible hiring practices, workplace accommodations, disability awareness, or simply challenging misconceptions about what people with disabilities can accomplish, every effort helps move us toward a more inclusive community.
This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we celebrate the talents, achievements, and contributions of workers with disabilities and reaffirm our commitment to a future where everyone has the opportunity to work, contribute, and succeed.
To learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month and explore resources for promoting disability inclusion in the workplace, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s NDEAM website.
The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) is proud to participate in the 2026 University of Florida Campaign for Charities (UFCC), an annual giving initiative that connects the UF community with local nonprofit organizations making a difference.
Through this campaign, University of Florida faculty, staff, and supporters have an opportunity to give back to organizations serving our community. This year, we’re inviting Gators to join us in creating a more accessible and inclusive North Central Florida.
Your Support Makes Independence Possible
At the CIL, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live independently, make their own choices, and participate fully in their community.
Every day, our team works alongside people with disabilities to help remove barriers, connect individuals with essential resources, and promote greater independence.
From independent living skills training and advocacy to community resources and support services, our work is centered on empowering people with disabilities to pursue their goals and live life on their own terms.
When you choose to support the CIL through the UF Campaign for Charities, you’re investing in a community where people with disabilities have greater access to opportunities, resources, and independence.
How to Donate Through the 2026 UF Campaign for Charities
Supporting the Center for Independent Living is easy!
Search for “Center for Independent Living” to find our organization among the participating charities.
Select our organization and make your contribution by following the instructions on the donation platform.
UF employees can also explore available giving options, including payroll deduction, making it convenient to support local organizations through the campaign.
Every contribution, regardless of size, helps support our mission of promoting independence and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Together, We Can Build a More Inclusive Community
The UF Campaign for Charities is a reminder of what’s possible when our community comes together for a shared purpose.
We’re grateful to the University of Florida for providing this opportunity and to the faculty, staff, and community members who continue to invest in local organizations like ours.
Your generosity helps us continue working toward a future where people with disabilities can live independently, access the resources they need, and participate fully in all aspects of community life.
Thanks to the generosity of our incredible community, the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) raised $3,150 during Give4Marion 2026, surpassing our original fundraising goal of $2,500!
This year’s campaign was a wonderful reminder of what we can accomplish when our community comes together in support of a shared mission: empowering people with disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive as independently as possible.
Throughout Give4Marion, our supporters showed up in so many ways. You made donations, shared our campaign with friends and family, participated in social media challenges, and helped spread awareness about the CIL’s programs and services.
Together, you helped us exceed our goal by $650, raising 126% of our original target!
Your Generosity Supports Greater Independence
At the CIL, independence looks different for every person. For some, it means developing the skills and confidence to enter the workforce. For others, it means having reliable transportation to work, gaining hands-on career experience, or being able to safely enter and leave their own home.
The funds raised through Give4Marion will help support programs and services that address these needs and create opportunities for greater independence.
Through your generosity, the CIL can continue working to:
Support employment readiness by helping young adults develop workplace skills and prepare for job opportunities.
Increase access to transportation by providing resources that help consumers travel to work and participate in their communities.
Create opportunities for youth through programs like High School High Tech, which introduces students with disabilities to career exploration and real-world work experiences.
Improve accessibility by helping consumers access resources such as wheelchair ramps and other supports that make independent living possible.
These are just a few examples of how community support helps us make a meaningful impact in the lives of the people we serve.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community
While we are proud to have exceeded our fundraising goal, what means the most is the community of supporters who made it possible.
Every donation, every share, and every word of encouragement contributed to the success of this year’s campaign. Whether you gave financially, helped spread the word, or encouraged others to get involved, you played a part in supporting our mission.
Our Give4Marion 2026 fundraising goal: $2,500
Total raised: $3,150!
From all of us at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, thank you for believing in our mission and investing in opportunities for people with disabilities throughout our community.
Your generosity extends far beyond this fundraising campaign, helping us continue the work of supporting individuals as they pursue their goals, overcome barriers, and build greater independence.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we support independence.
The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida was proud to participate in the annual ADA Expo on July 29, an event sponsored by the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office and the City of Gainesville Office of Equity and Inclusion.
The annual expo brings together community members, service providers, advocates, and organizations to share information, build connections, and promote greater accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. This year’s event welcomed roughly 70 attendees and 30 vendors.
CIL staff supported the event in several ways throughout the day. Team members staffed an exhibit table, connected attendees with information and resources, provided sign language interpretation, participated in the panel discussion, and helped facilitate the panel conversation.
Events like the ADA Expo create valuable opportunities for people with disabilities to connect directly with organizations and resources in the community, while also encouraging broader conversations about access, equity, and inclusion.
CIL is committed to empowering people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in their communities. Community events like this are one way we continue that work by showing up, sharing resources, listening, and collaborating with local partners.
We are grateful to the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office and the City of Gainesville Office of Equity and Inclusion for bringing the community together for this annual event.
A special thank you to CIL team members Ken, Kevin, Andrea, Christie, Angela, and Debbie for their hard work and for representing CIL throughout the day.
The CIL, in partnership with the Florida Independent Living Council (FILC) Youth Committee, invites young people with disabilities to join us for an upcoming Youth Public Forum on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Designed as a youth-led, interactive conversation, the forum will give young people with disabilities an opportunity to connect with one another, share their experiences and ideas, and speak up about the issues that matter most to them.
Your Voice. Your Ideas. Your Future.
At CILNCF, we believe young people with disabilities should have a voice in the decisions and policies that affect their lives and communities.
During the forum, participants will be encouraged to share what is important to youth with disabilities in Florida and what they would like to see included in the state’s next State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).
The SPIL helps establish priorities and goals for Florida’s Independent Living Network, making youth perspectives an important part of conversations about the future of independent living across the state.
The forum is also a chance to meet other young people with disabilities, exchange ideas, learn from one another, and practice self-advocacy in a welcoming environment.
Join Us In Person or Online
The Youth Public Forum will take place: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida 222 SW 36th Terrace Gainesville, FL 32607
Participants may attend in person or via Zoom, with Zoom information available upon request.
We encourage young people with disabilities throughout our community to join the conversation. Your experiences matter, your ideas deserve to be heard, and your voice can help shape the future of independent living in Florida.
For more information or to request Zoom information, contact Mika Vuto at mvuto@cilncf.org or 352-378-7474.
The CIL brought our team together for a staff retreat at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center.
The day offered staff an opportunity to step away from their usual routines and spend time connecting with colleagues through team-building activities, fellowship, and plenty of fun. From working together on group challenges to sharing conversations around the table, the retreat was all about strengthening the relationships that help make our work possible.
At the CIL, collaboration is an important part of how we serve people with disabilities throughout North Central Florida. While our staff members bring different skills, experiences, and responsibilities to our organization, we are united by a shared commitment to promoting independence, inclusion, and opportunity in the communities we serve.
Taking time to connect as a team helps strengthen that work. Our retreat gave us a chance to recharge, learn more about one another, share some laughs, and build connections outside of our everyday work environment.
We are grateful to Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center for providing a wonderful setting for our gathering and, most importantly, to our incredible CIL staff for the energy, compassion, and dedication they bring to our mission every day.
Here’s to a great day together and an even stronger CIL team!
Mark your calendars! Give4Marion returns September 15–16, 2026, and the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) is once again joining our community for this annual giving event.
For the CIL, Give4Marion is an opportunity to celebrate what becomes possible when our community comes together to support people with disabilities in achieving greater independence. Every contribution helps us continue providing programs, resources, training, and support that empower our consumers to pursue their individual goals.
Your Support in Action: Celebrating James
One example of that impact is James, who recently graduated from the CIL’s Pre-Placement Training (PPT) program while also graduating from high school!
Working with Job Readiness Skills Trainer Brandon Palermo, James developed valuable skills to help prepare him for entering the workforce. Throughout the program, he explored career options and workplace communication, built a professional resume, learned job search strategies, practiced interviewing, and gained a better understanding of workplace expectations, job retention, and money management.
James also brought plenty of his own personality and creativity to the experience. During his mock interview, he arrived dressed professionally in a stylish suit with fun graphics and even incorporated puppets into the process, making the experience both engaging and memorable.
With his positive attitude and willingness to learn, James completed the program better prepared to pursue employment with greater confidence and the skills needed to succeed.
Stories like James’s are what Give4Marion is all about.
This September, we invite you to stand with the CIL and help us continue creating opportunities for people with disabilities throughout our community.
📅 September 15–16, 2026
Whether you give, share our campaign with friends and family, or help spread the word on social media, your support makes a difference.
Together, we can continue building a community where people with disabilities have access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to live as independently as possible.
Mark your calendar for September 15 for the 33-hour fundraiser and join us for Give4Marion 2026. Stronger together, we support independence.
