Today, we’re excited to spotlight one of our incredible board members, Jonathan Pruden! For the past two years, Jonathan has generously served on our Board of Directors, bringing heart, insight, and unwavering dedication to the mission of the Center for Independent Living.

Jonathan also serves as Senior Advisor with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, where he champions policies and programs that support wounded servicemembers, veterans, and their caregivers. His advocacy and leadership have made a meaningful impact both nationally and right here in our local community.

When asked why he chose to serve on the CIL board, Jonathan shared:

“Serving on the Board of Directors for the Center for Independent Living is a tremendous honor. The Center’s mission is a natural extension of my 20 years of work as a healthcare and policy advocate. It aligns with my personal commitment to lighten the burden for others and help empower our disabled neighbors to live independently and fully.”

💬 A few fun facts about Jonathan:
– He is most grateful for his amazing wife, Amy, and their two wonderful teenagers who bring him joy every day.
– His favorite treat? Anything homemade by Amy—from gourmet meals to healthy, delicious desserts!
– And for a jaw-dropping fact: Jonathan has been bitten by a shark, a snake, a bat, a Galapagos penguin, a sea lion, and even an alligator—but ultimately lost his right leg to insurgents in Iraq. Talk about courage, resilience, and a sense of humor!

We are honored to have Jonathan’s voice, passion, and perspective on our board. Thank you, Jonathan, for everything you do to support our mission and community! 💙

Are you ready for hurricane season? Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. Even if you feel ready, there may be additional things you could do or learn.

Learn more: noaa.gov/take-action-today

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a bold blue and green headline: “Take Action Today.” The background shows severe storm damage to a residential area, with debris from destroyed mobile homes scattered across lawns and streets. Below the headline, a black transparent overlay lists four action steps in white text with teal icons:

1. Determine your risk from water & wind
2. Begin preparing now, before a storm
3. Learn how to understand hurricane forecasts and alerts
4. Learn what to do before, during, and after a storm

A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.

Learn more: noaa.gov/use-caution-after-storms

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Preparedness” with a blue and black headline: “Use Caution After Storms.” On the right, there’s a photo of a suburban neighborhood street heavily flooded, with a stop sign and red fire hydrant partially submerged in water. On the left, a dark transparent overlay lists six safety tips in white text with teal icons:

1. If you evacuated, only return home when directed it’s safe to do so
2. Remain vigilant, as hazards remain: heat, downed powerlines, floodwaters, & more
3. Clean up safely: don’t push yourself, and check on neighbors
4. Only use generators outdoors, 20+ feet from your home
5. Prepare for the likelihood that help and communications may not be available

A NOAA logo and the URL “weather.gov/hurricane” appear in the top right corner.

Be prepared for hurricane season by knowing what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials.

Learn more: noaa.gov/stay-protected-during-storms

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a bold blue and green header: “Stay Protected During Storms.” The background shows intense wind and rain with palm trees swaying violently during a storm. Below the header, a black transparent overlay lists four safety tips in white text with teal icons:

1) Listen to local officials & avoid travel unless ordered to evacuate
2) Stay in your safe places from water & wind
3) Have a way to get weather alerts and forecast updates
4) Keep in mind that impacts can be felt far from the coast

Members of the CILNCF staff had a blast at UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities’ Stomp the Swamp for Autism event at the end of March at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium! It was heartwarming to see so many community members and resource organizations come together for such a great cause: promoting health and wellness while raising funds to provide child safety materials and information, employment training for young adults, and social skills groups for children and teens with autism and related disabilities.

This annual event brings together UF students, faculty, staff, and local families to walk the stadium concourse or take on the stairs—all in support of CARD-UF. Dozens of vendors set up booths to share helpful resources, and families enjoyed a wide range of activities for children. While open to everyone, the event holds special meaning for families with loved ones who have special needs—it’s a chance to connect, share, and feel supported by the community.

Stomp the Swamp takes place every year, so be sure to keep an eye out for next year’s event. We’d love to see you there!

Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence.

Learn more: noaa.gov/get-moving-when-storm-threatens

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a bold blue and green headline: “Get Moving When a Storm Threatens.” The background shows a stormy scene with strong winds bending palm trees and a truck driving through floodwaters. Below the headline, a black transparent overlay displays five action steps in white text with teal icons:

1) Protect your home: cover windows, secure doors & loose items
2) Determine sheltering options and consider your pets
3) Ready your go-bag, meds & supplies, charge phone, fill up/charge vehicle
4) Help your neighbors, especially the elderly & other vulnerable people
5) Follow evacuation orders if given

Prepare for hurricane season by knowing how to understand forecasts. They can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more. There is a lot of information available days ahead of a storm, and it is important to understand what it means. 

Learn more: noaa.gov/understand-forecast-information

The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. 

Learn more: noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a bold blue and green headline: “Prepare Before Hurricane Season.” The background features emergency preparedness supplies like a yellow raincoat, medical kit, flashlight, batteries, water bottles, and canned food. Below the headline, a black transparent overlay lists five preparation tips in white text with green icons:

1) Develop an evacuation plan
2) Assemble disaster supplies: food, water, batteries, charger, radio, cash
3) Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions
4) Create a communication plan with a hand-written list of contacts
5) Strengthen your home

This week, we’re teaming up with NOAA’s National Weather Service to bring you life-saving hurricane preparedness tips—because preparation is protection.

‼️ KNOW YOUR RISK: WATER & WIND ‼️

The first step of preparing for hurricanes is to know your risk. Find out today what types of water and wind hazards could happen where you live. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength. Know if you live in an area prone to flooding, if you live in an evacuation zone, and identify any structural weaknesses in your home.

Learn more: noaa.gov/know-your-risk-water-wind

ID: A graphic titled “Hurricane Prep” with a subheading in bold blue and green text: “Know Your Risk: Water & Wind.” The background shows a flooded residential area with rooftops and trees partially submerged in water. Below the title, a black transparent overlay lists four preparedness tips in white text with green icons:

1) Consider your threats: storm surge, flooding from heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes, rip currents
2) Determine if you live in a flood-prone area
3) Find out if you live in an evacuation zone
4) Identify your home’s structural risks (mobile homes & basements can be especially vulnerable)

Thanks to your incredible support, we raised $10,641 to support people with disabilities in North Central Florida!

🙌 Out of 116 nonprofits, CIL ranked #35 in total dollars raised, with 113 gifts from 100 donors!

👏 All 4 of our staff Peer-to-Peer fundraisers raised nearly $4,500 — a huge part of this year’s success! We’re so grateful for their dedication in raising support for the CIL and our consumers. Check them out at the link below!

📲 The CIL’s fundraiser page: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Special thanks to Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille for supporting our mission of empowering people with disabilities to live independently. 💙

We’re so grateful for every donor, advocate, and team member who made this possible. You’ve helped us build a stronger, more accessible community!

ID: Graphic with a blue background and cream-colored center featuring text from The Amazing Give. It reads: “Thanks to your generosity, we raised $10,641” in bold white numbers inside a red rectangle. Below, it says, “Together, we’re building a stronger, more accessible community where independence is possible for everyone.”