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.”

The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida is proud to announce Amy Feutz as our new Executive Director! 🎉

Amy has been leading the charge for independence at The CIL since stepping into the role at the end of January. With over 20 years of dedicated service to the organization, Amy brings a deep understanding of our mission, our community, and the work still to be done.

Throughout her tenure, Amy has served in multiple leadership roles, including Program Coordinator, High School High Tech; the Program Director, High School High Tech; the Director of Resource Development and Youth Services, and most recently as the Associate Director.

Her passion for empowering individuals with disabilities and advancing accessibility has shaped our programs, expanded our services, and strengthened our impact and reach within the Center’s sixteen county catchment area.

Please join us in congratulating Amy on this well-deserved appointment as Executive Director. We are confident that under her continued leadership, the CIL will keep growing stronger—pushing forward our mission to support independence, access, and equity for all.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, we’ve raised $9,640 — 64% of our goal for The Amazing Give! 💙

But there’s still time to make an even bigger impact!

The donation link closes tonight — and every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to helping more individuals achieve independence and opportunity.

🎁 Donate before midnight: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Your support has fueled critical services like employment assistance, independent living skills training, assistive technology, and wheelchair ramp construction — all at no cost to the consumers we serve.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping create a community where everyone can thrive. Let’s finish strong! 💙

We’re off to a great start — $3,482 raised so far! But we still have a long way to go to hit our $15,000 goal by 8 PM tonight.

Right now is one of the most important moments of the day:
‼️ Lunch Power Hour is from 12 PM – 1 PM!

If we receive the most individual donors during this hour (not the highest dollar amount), we’ll win an extra $500 for our programs.

That means your $5 donation could be the one that puts us over the top!

🎁 Give Now: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Your support powers free, life-changing services for people with disabilities in North Central Florida—like employment assistance, assistive technology, wheelchair ramps, and independent living training.

From 8 AM – 9 AM, your donation could help us win an extra $500 during The Amazing Give! All it takes is $5 to count toward our total—every donor makes a difference.

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

Your support fuels free services like employment training, wheelchair ramps, and independent living skills for people with disabilities.

Let’s start strong and champion independence together. 💙

We’re calling on our community to show up big for people with disabilities in North Central Florida.

🗓️ April 24th | 8 AM – 8 PM
🌐 Giving is already open — no need to wait!
🎯 Our goal: $15,000 to protect and expand our free services.

From employment support to assistive technology, from independent living skills training to wheelchair ramp construction, your donation fuels life-changing programs that empower people with disabilities to live independently and with dignity.

‼️ This year, we’re facing uncertainties in federal funding—every dollar matters more than ever.

Here’s how you can maximize your impact: 💙 DONATE DURING OUR POWER HOURS:

➡️ 8 AM – 9 AM
➡️ 12 PM – 1 PM

Even a $5 donation could help us win an extra $500!

No gift is too small. Every contribution creates opportunities, strengthens independence, and builds a more independent future for our community.

🎁 Give now: https://www.theamazinggive.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

📣 Share this post. Rally your friends. Let’s do this together.

Thank you for being part of our mission. 💙

ID: Red graphic with white borders and text that reads “Be a champion of independence” in the center. The CIL logo is placed above the text. Below are four hexagonal photos: a young woman smiling in a kitchen, a group of young adults around a table, a person building a wheelchair ramp outside a house, and two individuals in blue aprons posing together. At the bottom, text reads “The Amazing Give” with the date “April 24, 2025” in a white ribbon banner.

The CIL offices will be closed today in observance of the Spring and Easter holiday. We’ll reopen with regular business hours on Monday.

Wishing everyone a joyful, restful, and beautiful weekend filled with hope, renewal, and time with loved ones! 💐💛

ID: Graphic with wildflowers and a sunset sky. Text reads: “Closed for Spring Holiday – Friday, April 18th. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!”

Brandy first came to the Center for Independent Living in 2020 while still in high school, referred for a vocational evaluation. That first connection opened the door to years of growth, learning, and self-discovery.

Through CIL’s money management workshops and Soft Skills to Pay the Bills program, Brandy gained confidence, improved her teamwork and communication, and became a standout participant—always ready to engage, volunteer, and lead. In 2024, she was even invited to speak on a student panel for Project 10’s Winter Institute, where she shared how CIL and her school transition team helped her become more independent and self-assured.

Brandy will be exiting the school system in January 2025 and continues to work with Vocational Rehabilitation on job placement services. She’s motivated, capable, and ready to thrive—thanks in large part to the support she received through CIL programs.

💙 This is what your donations make possible.

When you donate to The Amazing Give, you help us provide free critical services to consumers in our community:

✅ Employment Services
✅ Youth Transition & Life Skills Training
✅ Financial Literacy Workshops
✅ Assistive Technology
✅ Sign Language Interpreting
✅ Emergency Preparedness & More

You’re not just funding services—you’re investing in futures like Brandy’s.

📅 Mark your calendar for April 24th and join us in creating more stories like hers.

Donate today: https://bit.ly/3Rn6Gsg

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in and attended the CIL Talent Show! 🌟 We are beyond proud of all the performers who bravely took the stage and shared their incredible talents. From singing and dancing to showcasing creations, athletic feats, and even solving a Rubik’s Cube — every performance was a reminder of the incredible range of talent and strength within our disability community. 💫 Your support made this event unforgettable, and we are truly inspired by the courage and creativity on display. Here’s to celebrating YOU! 🎉

ID: A colorful collage showcases highlights from a “Talent Show Recap.” The background features a crumpled paper texture with the title “Talent Show Recap” written in a bold, red font at the center. Surrounding the title are a variety of Polaroid-style snapshots featuring individuals performing different talents. These include someone playing with a puzzle cube, a hula dancer, a musician with a xylophone, a person painting, a traditional dancer, a group singing or performing together, and others showcasing talents such as magic tricks, spinning batons, singing, or speaking. Each photo is uniquely framed with different colored backgrounds, paper clips, or tape, giving the collage a fun, scrapbook-like feel. The overall vibe is creative, vibrant, and celebratory.