Our Youth Social & Leadership Group had an amazing time at our recent bowling outing 🎳

Participants came together for an evening full of laughter, friendly competition, and connection. From cheering each other on to celebrating strikes and even the gutter balls 😄, the night was all about building friendships, teamwork, confidence, and community in a fun and inclusive environment.

Programs like this help youth with disabilities develop social, leadership, and independent living skills while creating meaningful peer connections.

As we celebrate moments like these, we also want to remind our community that our The Amazing Give donation link remains open through midnight tonight, May 7.

Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve raised $10,050, reaching 84% of our $12,000 goal. With your help, we can cross the finish line by midnight.

Every donation helps support programs and opportunities like our Youth Social & Leadership Group.

To support CIL, donate here: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

If you are an individual with a disability between the ages of 14–24 and would like to join the Youth Social & Leadership Group, please contact Mika Vuto at mvuto@cilncf.org.

Thank you for continuing to show up for our community, support independence, and help make programs like this possible. We are so grateful for each and every one of you 💙

On April 30, 2026, the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida will join nonprofits across our region for The Amazing Give—a powerful, community-wide day of giving.

From 8 AM to 8 PM, individuals, families, and organizations come together to support causes that are making a real difference right here in North Central Florida. For CIL, this day is about one thing at its core: independence.

What It Means to Be a Champion of Independence

Every day, we work alongside people with disabilities to help them achieve their goals for independence. This can look different for every individual.

For some, it’s gaining access to transportation so they can attend medical appointments, go to work, or simply reconnect with their community.
For others, it’s receiving assistive equipment that makes their home safer and more accessible.
And for many, it’s building the skills, confidence, and support system needed to live life on their own terms.

Being a champion of independence means believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, choice, and connection—and taking action to make that possible.

The Impact of Your Support

Your support during The Amazing Give helps us provide essential services, including:

• Advocacy for individuals navigating systems and services
• Independent living skills training
• Peer support and community connection
• Access to resources, assistive technology, and durable medical equipment
• Transition services that support individuals in living independently

These services remove barriers and create opportunities for people with disabilities across our community.

A Community Effort

The Amazing Give is more than a fundraising event. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose.

Every donation—no matter the size—contributes to a larger impact. It helps ensure that individuals and families have access to the support they need, when they need it most.

Join Us on April 30

We invite you to be part of this day.

Mark your calendar for April 30, 2026, and consider making a gift to support independence in North Central Florida.

Together, we can continue building a community where everyone has the opportunity to live independently and thrive.

The CIL invites you to attend the Bradford County Emergency Preparedness Expo, a free community event focused on helping people with disabilities prepare for emergencies in our area.

This event brings together local organizations, agencies, and vendors who will share valuable resources and information on what to do before, during, and after an emergency. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn practical steps to stay safe, maintain independence, and feel more confident in emergency situations.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:
Charley E. Johns Conference Center
1610 N Temple Ave
Starke, FL 32091

To ensure accessibility for all, ASL interpreters will be provided.

Whether you are planning ahead or just beginning to think about emergency preparedness, this expo is a valuable opportunity to connect with community resources and gain important knowledge that can make a difference when it matters most.

Learn More

For more information about this event, please contact:
Kevin Towles
📧 ktowles@cilncf.org
📞 (352) 368-3788

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to build a safer, more prepared community!

The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) extends our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the 9th Annual Marion County Emergency Preparedness Expo.

This year’s event brought together community members, local organizations, and service providers with a shared goal: to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the knowledge, resources, and support needed to prepare for emergencies and maintain their independence.

From learning what steps to take before, during, and after an emergency to connecting directly with local agencies, attendees had the opportunity to engage with valuable information and build relationships that strengthen preparedness across Marion County.

Our Community Partners

We are deeply grateful to the organizations and vendors who dedicated their time and expertise to make this event possible:

• Center for Independent Living
• Florida Legal Services
• Endeavors
• HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response
• Florida Poison Information Center Jacksonville/USVI
• Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
• Florida Department of Health
• Marion County Animal Services
• Lalngley Health Services
• Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• Heart of Florida Health Center Federally Qualified Health Center
• Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management
• CAREWISE PHARMACY
• University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UF CARD)
• Ocala Engineering & Water Resources
• Marion Senior Services
• Empath Health / Hospice of Marion County
• Ocala Police Department
• SECO Energy
• Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• SUNTRAN
• Florida Visually Impaired and Blind Services
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Division of Blind Services
• The Salvation Army

Each organization played an important role in creating an informative and welcoming environment where attendees could ask questions, gather resources, and feel more prepared for the unexpected.

Thank You to Our Community

To everyone who attended, thank you for showing up, engaging with our partners, and taking meaningful steps toward preparedness. Emergency readiness is not something we do alone—it is built through community, collaboration, and access to the right information.

At CILNCF, we remain committed to empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently and confidently, no matter the circumstances.

We look forward to continuing this important work together and hope to see you at future events.

The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) is proud to reflect on the success of our 5th Annual Alachua County Emergency Preparedness Expo, a meaningful and impactful event dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities and their families have access to the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to prepare for emergencies.

Held at the Senior Recreation Center in Gainesville, this year’s expo brought together community members, caregivers, local organizations, and service providers for a shared purpose: to promote safety, independence, and preparedness for all.

Building a More Prepared Community

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with local agencies and organizations, each offering valuable information on how to prepare for emergencies before, during, and after they occur. From healthcare resources to legal support, transportation, and emergency response services, the expo created a space where individuals could ask questions, build plans, and feel more confident about navigating unexpected situations.

Guest speakers, including representatives from the Florida Poison Information Center and Alachua County Animal Resources, provided important insights on health and safety considerations during emergencies, including how to protect both individuals and their pets.

A Collective Effort

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support and participation of our community partners. We extend our sincere gratitude to the following organizations for their time, expertise, and commitment to serving our community:

Endeavors
Center for Independent Living
Florida Legal Services
HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response
Three Rivers Legal Services
Florida Poison Information Center Jacksonville/USVI
UF HealthStreet
Disability Rights Florida
Alachua County Emergency Management
Meridian Healthcare
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UF CARD)
American Red Cross
Alachua County Animal Resources
RTS
Florida Visually Impaired and Blind Services
Alzheimer’s Association

Each organization played a vital role in equipping attendees with the knowledge and resources needed to remain safe and independent in times of crisis.

Centering Accessibility and Inclusion

At CILNCF, accessibility is at the core of everything we do. The expo included ASL interpreters to ensure that information was accessible to all attendees, reinforcing our commitment to creating inclusive spaces where everyone can participate fully.

Moving Forward Together

Events like the Emergency Preparedness Expo are a reminder that preparedness is not just an individual effort. It is a community-wide commitment. By coming together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, we strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies with confidence and resilience.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to making this event a success. Your engagement helps build a safer, more connected, and more prepared Alachua County.

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them. For individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, having the right plan and resources in place is not just helpful—it’s essential.

That’s why we’re inviting you to join us this Saturday for the 2nd Annual Putnam County Emergency Preparedness Expo, a community-centered event focused on safety, preparedness, and independence.

📅 April 11, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Putnam County Fairgrounds
🤟 ASL Interpreters will be provided

We encourage you to bring your friends, family, and caregivers and spend a few hours gaining valuable insights that could make a lasting difference.

For more information, please contact:
📧 ktowles@cilncf.org
📞 (352) 368-3788

The The Amazing Give may have officially ended, but the impact is still growing.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the Center for Independent Living has raised $9,650, reaching 80% of our $12,000 goal. We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed up, gave, and supported our mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently.

We’re excited to share that The Junior League of Gainesville has extended our donation window. Our giving page will remain live through midnight on Thursday, May 7th, which means there is still time to help us reach our goal.

Every dollar makes a difference. Your support helps fund critical programs, resources, and services that create greater access, independence, and opportunity in our community.

If you haven’t had a chance to give, or if you’re able to share this opportunity with others, we invite you to join us in this final push.

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

Together, we can close the gap and make an even greater impact.

Thank you for being part of this community.

The CIL offices will be closed on Friday, April 3rd.

This dedicated time allows our team to reflect, plan, and strengthen the programs and services that support independence and inclusion for individuals with disabilities in our community.

We will resume regular office hours the following week and look forward to continuing to serve you with renewed focus and intention.

At the Center for Independent Living, learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom—it happens in everyday moments, shared experiences, and meaningful connections.

Our Independent Living Skills (ILS) group in Citrus County has been actively engaging in activities that promote growth, confidence, and independence in ways that are both practical and enjoyable.

Recently, participants spent time creating Valentine’s Day crafts together. This activity wasn’t just about making something festive—it encouraged creativity, fine motor skills, and self-expression, all while fostering a sense of community within the group.

In addition to creative projects, the group also took part in a sit-down restaurant outing. Experiences like these provide valuable opportunities to practice essential life skills, such as ordering food, managing money, communicating with others, and navigating social environments. These real-world interactions are key to building confidence and independence.

Looking ahead, the group is excited to continue their journey with a planned trip to the park, where they’ll enjoy games, outdoor activities, and time together in a relaxed setting. These moments of fun are just as important—they help build social connections, encourage physical activity, and reinforce the joy that comes with learning and growing together.

At CIL, we believe that independence is built through experiences like these—where individuals are supported, empowered, and given the opportunity to thrive in their own unique way.

We’re proud of our Citrus County ILS group for their enthusiasm, participation, and commitment to learning. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next. 💙

CIL’s Got Talent is back, and we’re excited to welcome our community for an evening filled with creativity, connection, and celebration.

Join us at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida for a fun and inspiring Talent Show featuring performances from individuals within the CIL community. From music to unique acts, this event highlights the talents, voices, and confidence of those we serve.

Event Details
Date: Friday, April 10
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida

This event is a chance to come together, support one another, and celebrate the diverse abilities that make our community so special. Whether you are attending to cheer on performers or taking the stage yourself, we invite you to be part of this memorable evening.

Interested in Performing?
We welcome performers of all kinds. If you would like to participate, please sign up using the link below or scan the QR code on the event flyer:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqA6dEo4Z68v-JMFQFfoe6It9lsUaeGSBszW6JlaOBJFRwIQ/viewform?usp=header

Sign-up deadline: April 3

Bring your friends and family, and get ready for a night of incredible talent. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the strength, creativity, and spirit of our community.