The CIL will be tabling at this year’s Fifth Annual Gainesville Opportunity Center (GOC) Fall Festival, and we’d love for you to stop by and say hello!

📅 Friday, November 7
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Gainesville Opportunity Center, 1210 NW 14th Avenue

Come enjoy an afternoon filled with friends, food, and festivities!
– Take a tour of the GOC
– Meet GOC Members and local community partners
– Enjoy a cookout (suggested donation: $10)
– Learn more about local resources supporting mental health, housing, employment, and independent living

This event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with organizations working together to empower our community and make a difference.

We hope to see you there!

Our team got into the spirit today with a little fun, a few costumes, and a lot of smiles!

At the CIL, we believe that accessibility and community matter every day — and that includes holidays like Halloween. 💜

We hope your day is filled with treats, laughter, and moments that bring you joy.

From all of us at the CIL, have a safe and spooktacular Halloween! 🧡

As October comes to a close, we reflect on National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a time to celebrate the vital contributions of workers with disabilities and to advocate for greater accessibility and opportunity in every workplace.

But our commitment doesn’t end here.

At the CIL, we believe that employment is more than a paycheck — it’s empowerment, independence, and a pathway to a more accessible community.

Every day, we continue our work to break down barriers, support self-advocacy, and create opportunities where everyone can thrive — because progress doesn’t stop when the month ends.

Let’s carry the spirit of NDEAM forward — championing access, innovation, and opportunity all year long.

💜 October may be ending, but advocacy never does.

For some trick-or-treaters—especially those who are neurodivergent or have disabilities—Halloween can be a lot to take in. Bright lights, loud sounds, and unexpected surprises can turn what should be a night of fun into an overwhelming experience.

But with a little planning, Halloween can be accessible and enjoyable for everyone!

✨ Here are a few ways to make your Halloween more accessible:

– Use clear paths and good lighting for easy navigation.

– Offer seating or rest areas for visitors who need breaks.

– Have non-food treats available for kids with allergies or feeding difficulties (the Teal Pumpkin Project is a great guide!).

– Consider sensory-friendly decorations; avoid loud noises, strobe lights, or sudden scares.

– Be patient, kind, and understanding; every trick-or-treater celebrates in their own way.

Let’s make this Halloween a night where everyone can join in the fun! 🎃

*The Teal Pumpkin Project: Putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep, or hanging a teal pumpkin sign on your door or in your window, means you have non-food treats available such as glow sticks or small toys. This simple act promotes safety for trick-or-treaters with food allergy or other conditions.

At the CIL, we believe disability is a different ability – a source of strength, innovation, and value. This month, we honor the contributions of workers with disabilities, spotlight success stories, and recommit to breaking down barriers to employment.

🔹 Why it matters: Employment fosters independence, growth, and equality.
🔹 Did you know? Barriers to meaningful work remain, from lack of accommodations to misconceptions about capabilities.
🔹 What we’re doing: Through training, advocacy, employer partnerships, and individualized support, we strive to widen the circle of opportunity.

Join us in celebrating value, talent, and inclusion – not just in October, but every day.

The CIL is proud to once again participate in the UF Campaign for Charities (UFCC) — running through October 17th! 🌟

The UFCC is the University of Florida’s annual employee giving campaign, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to support organizations making a difference right here in our community.

💙 When you choose to designate your donation to the CIL, you’re directly supporting our mission to empower people with disabilities to achieve their goals for independence. Plus, designated donations also increase our share of the undesignated pool of funds — meaning your gift goes even further in helping us serve!

Important note: You don’t have to be a UF employee to give! Anyone can contribute to the UFCC and designate the CIL as their organization of choice. Just visit the UFCC website and look for the option for “other donors.”

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue to advocate for accessibility, civil rights, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities across our 16-county region.

Donate today ➡️ https://ufcc.ufl.edu/

Thank you to Jacee, Employment Consultant, and Mika for representing the CIL at this year’s UFCC Kick Off Event! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with UF employees, share our mission, and showcase our impact within our community.

We’re excited to be part of the Ocala Health and Wellness Expo at the beautiful World Equestrian Center – Expo Center 2 on Saturday, October 18th! This free, indoor event is your gateway to discovering resources, services, and products designed to support your health and well-being.

✨ Why You Should Attend:

• Explore vendors across fitness, nutrition, mental health, holistic care, and more
• Discover the latest health technology and medical services
• Connect with experts in insurance, weight loss, and wellness solutions
• Enjoy relaxation, spa, and lifestyle products for every age group

📍 Where to Find Us: Stop by Table T11 to meet our CIL team! We’d love to share how our programs empower independence, accessibility, and community inclusion for people with disabilities.

📆 Saturday, October 18
📍 World Equestrian Center – Expo Center 2
1598 NW 87th Court Rd, Ocala, FL 34482

🎟️ Admission & Parking: Free admission, free parking, and shuttle service available.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to invest in your health and connect with local organizations making a difference. We hope to see you there! 💙

The CIL and the Florida Independent Living Council (FILC) invite you to a virtual public forum:

📅 Monday, September 29
🕙 10:00 am – 11:00 am (ET)

Come to:
✅ Learn about the Independent Living Network
✅ Connect with The CIL team
✅ Share your ideas
✅ Assess your independent living needs
✅ Foster meaningful conversations

🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4gz1RYq

We look forward to connecting and strengthening our Independent Living community!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters, we not only reached our Give4Marion fundraising goal — we surpassed it, raising a total of $2,095! 💙

Every dollar raised directly impacts our consumers, helping to break down barriers and create opportunities for people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in our community. From ramps that restore independence to workshops that build confidence and job skills, your support truly changes lives.

🌟 If you missed the event, there’s still time! Donation pages remain open until midnight on Sunday, Sept. 21st. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

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

Thank you for believing in our mission and making a difference. We are so grateful!

Thanks to your generosity and constant support, we’ve officially reached our Give4Marion goal of $1,500! 💙 Every gift represents hope, opportunity, and independence for people with disabilities in our community.

But we’re not done yet! Give4Marion is open until 7:00 p.m. TODAY, and we’d love to surpass last year’s total of $1,675. Every dollar beyond our goal helps us break down barriers and directly support more consumers right here in North Central Florida.

✨ Two BIG opportunities remain to make your gift go further:

🔹 Matching Moment – TODAY at 3:00 p.m.
All online gifts up to $100 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by The Angel Donor until the $5,000 pool runs out.

🔹 Celebration Party Matching Moment – TODAY at 6:00 p.m.
All online gifts up to $100 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Empath Health – Hospice of Marion County until the $10,000 pool runs out.

👉 Donate now and help us finish strong: https://www.give4marion.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Together, let’s celebrate, break through last year’s total, and continue building independence in our community! 💙