News

🌟 Happy New Year from all of us at the CIL! 🌟

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As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for our incredible community—your support, strength, and resilience inspire us daily. Together, we’ve made great strides toward creating a more inclusive and accessible world, but there’s still important work ahead.

In 2025, we remain dedicated to empowering individuals, breaking barriers, and fostering environments where everyone can thrive. Here’s to new beginnings, continued progress, and a year full of possibility.

Thank you for being part of our journey. 💙

The image features the text "Happy New Year" in bold blue letters at the top. Below, the year "2025" is displayed in large, colorful numbers, with characters interacting playfully with the digits. A boy holds a megaphone by the "2," a woman leans on the "0," a girl reaches out to the "5," and a seated boy is positioned by the "5." The design incorporates vibrant colors and lively energy, with the "CIL" logo at the bottom center and curved lines in blue, purple, and green at the corners.
The image features the text “Happy New Year” in bold blue letters at the top. Below, the year “2025” is displayed in large, colorful numbers, with characters interacting playfully with the digits. A boy holds a megaphone by the “2,” a woman leans on the “0,” a girl reaches out to the “5,” and a seated boy is positioned by the “5.” The design incorporates vibrant colors and lively energy, with the “CIL” logo at the bottom center and curved lines in blue, purple, and green at the corners.

Toys 4 Tots!

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This holiday season, Santa’s CIL Elves were hard at work spreading cheer and ensuring families in our community could experience the magic of Christmas. Our incredible team—Myrtle, Destini, Cammeron, Kevin, Terri, and Medjina—dedicated their time and hearts to the Toys for Tots program, helping to brighten the holidays for so many.

Thanks to their efforts, we were able to assist 37 families, making the holidays special for exactly 100 children! Each toy wrapped and delivered came with love, joy, and the promise of a smile on Christmas morning.

We are honored to partner with Toys for Tots again this year, and we thank all of you who supported this wonderful initiative. Together, we made a difference that truly embodies the spirit of the season.

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ID: This is a collage of four images from a Toys for Tots event, showcasing community engagement and generosity during the holidays: Top Left: A man in a blue jacket and a woman wearing reindeer antlers stand with a young child. They are indoors near donation boxes, exuding holiday cheer. Top Right: Two women, one in a pink polo shirt and the other in a colorful dress, smile together outdoors. One of them holds a large black bag filled with donations. Bottom Left: A table filled with donated toys, including sports balls, boxed games, and other gifts, is neatly organized in an indoor space. Bottom Right: A man wearing a white shirt and cap holds a black bag filled with donations while standing outdoors in a serene, tree-lined area. The collage is tied together with a red ribbon and features a gift tag with the Toys for Tots logo, including Santa’s face and a festive wreath. The images collectively highlight the joy of giving and the sense of community fostered by this event.
ID: This is a collage of four images highlighting a Toys for Tots event, featuring volunteers and donations: Top Left: A woman with red hair and a bright smile stands indoors holding black bags of donations, with a bicycle and more gifts visible in the background. Top Right: Two men outdoors, one standing near a stone wall and holding donation bags, and another in the background walking towards him. The setting is surrounded by trees, giving it a serene feel. Bottom Left: A volunteer in a green sweatshirt sorts through a large collection of colorful toys, including board games and boxed gifts, on an indoor table. Bottom Right: A woman in a patterned shirt helps organize toys into labeled boxes, while another person works nearby. The toys include sports equipment and games. The collage is decorated with a red ribbon and a gift tag featuring the Toys for Tots logo, including Santa’s face and a festive wreath. The images emphasize the spirit of giving, teamwork, and community involvement.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the CIL!

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As the year comes to a close, we are so grateful for the incredible community that supports us. Your compassion and generosity have been a beacon of hope for individuals and families living with disabilities. Together, we’ve broken barriers, brightened futures, and fostered inclusion and independence.

From all of us at The CIL, we wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season filled with love and warmth. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey—we can’t wait to continue building a brighter, more inclusive future with you in the year ahead!

This is a holiday greeting card featuring a group photo of individuals posing outdoors in front of a brick building with a banner that reads "Happy Holidays." The group consists of diverse people, some standing and others sitting, including individuals in wheelchairs. The background shows a green lawn and part of the building’s porch. The card is framed with a festive design, including small gold and white starbursts, and features the text “Happy Holidays” in elegant red script, followed by “From All of Us at the CIL” in uppercase black letters beneath it. The overall tone of the card is cheerful and inclusive.

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🎄 Happy Holidays from The CIL! 🎄

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As we celebrate this special season, we want to thank our incredible community for your support and partnership throughout the year. 💙 Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday!

📅 Holiday Office Hours:

Christmas Week:
Closed 12/24 – 12/27

New Year’s Week:
Open 12/30 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
Closed 12/31 – 1/1
Open 1/2 – 1/3 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)

We look forward to serving you in 2025! ✨ Stay safe and enjoy the holidays! 🎁

A festive flyer titled "CIL’s Winter Holiday Hours" in dark green text at the top, surrounded by holiday-themed decorations such as holly leaves with berries and colorful snowflakes in red and light blue. The flyer is divided into two sections: Week of Christmas: Tuesday 12/24/24 – Friday 12/27/24: CLOSED Week of New Years: Monday 12/30/24: OPEN 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday 12/31/24 - Wednesday 01/01/25: CLOSED Thursday 01/02/25 - Friday 01/03/25: OPEN 8:30 am – 5:00 pm The layout is clean and easy to read, with decorative elements providing a cheerful holiday touch.
ID: image description provided in the image’s alt text and includes all the information shared above.

ILS Fire Safety

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A few weeks ago, our Independent Living Skills (ILS) classes had the privilege of learning about fire safety from local heroes. The Ocala Fire Rescue team visited the Ocala ILS group, while the Gainesville Fire Department stopped by the CIL Gainesville office.

During their visits, the firefighters shared essential fire safety tips and gave us an up-close look at their equipment. They demonstrated how they put on their uniforms, explaining the purpose of each piece and how it helps keep them safe. They even passed around their heavy-duty gloves for everyone to try on—most of our participants agreed they were bulky, heavy, and not as easy to handle as they look!

Outside, we got an exciting tour of their fire trucks, learning about the tools and equipment they carry and how they’re used. The firefighters showed us different types of axes and explained their uses in emergency situations. The highlight of the day was getting a chance to use the fire hose! It was a fun yet challenging experience, and everyone gained a new appreciation for the strength and skill it takes to handle one.

We’re so grateful to the Ocala Fire Rescue and the Gainesville Fire Department for taking the time to visit us, share their knowledge, and show us the incredible work they do to keep our communities safe. A big thank-you to these everyday heroes!

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This image features a group of people standing in front of a fire truck. The group includes individuals of diverse ages and appearances, with some smiling for the camera. The fire truck is red with a closed storage compartment visible in the background. The photo is framed by a blue border with the text "OCALA FIRE RESCUE" at the top and "CIL OCALA" along the bottom-right corner, accompanied by the logo for the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida. The setting appears to be outdoors, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
This image is a collage of four photos surrounded by a blue border with the "CIL" logo at the center, representing the Center for Independent Living. Top Left: A classroom setting where a firefighter is standing and engaging with a group of individuals seated around a table. The table has snacks, drinks, and a decorative tablecloth. Top Right: Outdoors, a firefighter assists a young person in holding and spraying a fire hose. They are standing on a grassy area with residential buildings visible in the background. Bottom Left: Another outdoor scene where a firefighter helps a participant operate a fire hose. Both are smiling as they direct the water stream. Bottom Right: A firefighter guides another participant in using the fire hose, with water spraying across the grassy lawn. The collage highlights an educational and interactive experience between the fire rescue team and participants, fostering community engagement.
This image shows a group of people standing together in front of a Gainesville Fire Rescue truck. The group includes participants from the CIL Gainesville office and firefighters. The truck is red and white, with the words "Gainesville Fire Rescue" prominently displayed on its side, along with an American flag design on one of the windows. Some individuals in the group are seated, including one person in a wheelchair, while others are standing. The setting appears to be outdoors with trees in the background. The image features a purple border with the text "GAINESVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT" at the top and "CIL GAINESVILLE" at the bottom, along with the logo of the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida in the corner.
This image is a collage featuring four photos framed by a purple border with the CIL logo in the center. Top-left photo: A participant is holding a fire hose, guided by a firefighter. A firetruck is visible in the background, with two additional firefighters and a staff member observing. Top-right photo: Another participant is using the fire hose, assisted by a firefighter, while others stand nearby watching. The Gainesville Fire Rescue truck with an American flag design on its window is prominently displayed in the background. Bottom-left photo: Indoors, a firefighter demonstrates fire safety gear, with a turnout jacket placed on the floor. Participants and staff members observe the demonstration, standing and seated. Bottom-right photo: A group of participants sits at tables, paying attention to a speaker standing to the right. The setting is a classroom or meeting room, with a whiteboard and mobility aids visible in the background. The collage captures moments of engagement and learning during the fire safety presentation facilitated by the CIL.

Vaccine Clinic, Provided by CVS and UF Health Street!

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In our ongoing effort to address health inequities within the disability community, the CIL recently hosted a free, accessible vaccine clinic. At the event, we were able to offer both COVID-19 and flu vaccines, provided by CVS and UF Health Street. In addition to the vaccines, a few community partners such as Florida Legal Services and Disability Rights Florida set up resource tables to provide valuable information and support to help individuals on their journeys to independence. We are deeply grateful for the continued support you provide to the CIL. Your contributions were essential to the success of this event, and the clinic was a testament to our commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to healthcare, while also promoting the health and safety of our entire community. Thank you for helping us make a meaningful impact!

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This image shows the vaccine clinic held indoors at the CIL Gainesville office, with tables and representatives from different organizations set up around the room. On the left, a table is labeled "Florida Legal Services, Inc." with two people sitting and working. To the right, a table with materials is labeled "Disability Rights Florida." Several individuals are standing or sitting in different areas of the room, engaging in conversations or activities. In the background, two healthcare professionals in blue scrubs are preparing or assisting at another station. The room has a clean and bright interior, with a light-colored ceiling and wooden floors. A purple banner across the bottom reads "Vaccine Clinic," accompanied by the Center for Independent Living (CIL) logo.
This image captures the vaccine clinic taking place in the brightly lit activity room at CIL Gainesville. Several tables and chairs are arranged throughout the room, with representatives from different organizations engaging with attendees. On the left, a table is covered with materials, while a few people are seated or interacting near it. In the center, two attendees are conversing, one holding a document or pamphlet. On the right, more people are seated at tables, some working on laptops or having discussions. The back wall features colorful maps and a projector screen, while the right wall showcases a vibrant mural with illustrations of graduates and community-themed artwork. The room has wooden flooring and a drop ceiling with fluorescent lighting. A purple border frames the image.
This image shows the vaccine clinic taking place in the activity room at CIL Gainesville. In the foreground, two women are seated at a table, engaged with paperwork or materials. The table is covered with a white cloth and has items like a water bottle and a bowl of snacks on it. To the right, attendees are interacting with representatives at tables for organizations, including one labeled "Disability Rights Florida" and another for the Center for Independent Living. A person using a walker is speaking with another individual near the center. The back of the room features more interactions, with tables set up displaying informational materials and a map on the wall. The room has wood flooring, a drop ceiling with fluorescent lighting, and a purple border framing the image.
The image shows the vaccine clinic, taken place in the activity room at CIL Gainesville with several people seated at tables and engaging in various activities. The room has a casual atmosphere, with some individuals filling out forms, interacting with others, or focusing on tasks. A person standing near the center appears to be addressing the group. The tables are covered with blue tablecloths, and some have informational materials or supplies. The background includes a map, a TV screen, and a large cabinet, suggesting an organized environment. The image is bordered by a bold purple frame.

Happy Season of Gratitude!

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We hope everyone is embracing the Season of Gratitude with joy and reflection! Thanks to our continued partnership with Trinity Missions, the CIL was able to provide Thanksgiving baskets to 20 families this year, supporting a total of 93 individuals. Words cannot fully express how much we appreciate Trinity Missions and their unwavering dedication to our community, especially during this special time of year. We are profoundly thankful for your partnership, which helps the CIL empower people with disabilities to achieve their goals for independence. Let’s carry this spirit of gratitude and kindness into the new year as we continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.

🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from All of Us at the CIL! 🍂

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This season of gratitude gives us the perfect opportunity to say thank you to everyone who makes our work possible.

To our consumers: Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Your determination and resilience inspire us every day.

To our staff: Your unwavering commitment and hard work create the foundation of the services and support we provide.

To our donors and volunteers: Your generosity and time make a world of difference, ensuring we can continue to serve our community and advocate for independence.

To our community partners: Your collaboration helps us amplify our impact, creating a more inclusive and accessible world for everyone.

Together, we make a difference, and we’re so thankful for each and every one of you. Here’s to continuing our work to empower and uplift our community.

Wishing you a warm, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving! 🍁

The image features a cheerful Thanksgiving design. On the left side, there is a cartoon turkey with a round body, bright orange and red feathers, a yellow beak, and a red wattle, peeking out from the edge of the image. The text "Happy Thanksgiving" is displayed in large, colorful, gradient letters in shades of orange, yellow, and brown. At the bottom right corner, the logo for the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida is visible, along with the tagline "Empowering Individuals with Disabilities." The background is a light beige color, adding a warm and festive feel.
ID: The image features a cheerful Thanksgiving design. On the left side, there is a cartoon turkey with a round body, bright orange and red feathers, a yellow beak, and a red wattle, peeking out from the edge of the image. The text “Happy Thanksgiving” is displayed in large, colorful, gradient letters in shades of orange, yellow, and brown. At the bottom right corner, the logo for the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida is visible, along with the tagline “Empowering Individuals with Disabilities.” The background is a light beige color, adding a warm and festive feel.

Halloween Festivities!

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It’s been a whirlwind of a season here at the Center for Independent Living! We’ve been hard at work supporting our consumers and their goals, but we’re finally taking a moment to share some highlights from our Halloween Wellness Event with all of you.

The image shows a group of nine people dressed in festive and creative Halloween costumes, standing in a bright and cheerful room decorated for the occasion. The costumes include a pumpkin, a wizard, a strawberry, a pink dinosaur, and others, showcasing a variety of vibrant colors and themes. The group is smiling and posing together, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. Behind them is a wall-mounted TV displaying a Halloween scene with trees and a darkened sky, adding to the spooky theme. The floor is wood-paneled, and there are Halloween decorations like hanging orange paper balls in the room. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with blue edges, featuring the text: "WELLNESS: Halloween Festivities!"
The image shows a group of nine people dressed in festive and creative Halloween costumes, standing in a bright and cheerful room decorated for the occasion. The costumes include a pumpkin, a wizard, a strawberry, a pink dinosaur, and others, showcasing a variety of vibrant colors and themes. The group is smiling and posing together, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. Behind them is a wall-mounted TV displaying a Halloween scene with trees and a darkened sky, adding to the spooky theme. The floor is wood-paneled, and there are Halloween decorations like hanging orange paper balls in the room. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with blue edges, featuring the text: “WELLNESS: Halloween Festivities!”

Throughout October, our staff showed off their creative side with a spooktacular door decorating contest, transforming our offices into a haunted hallway of fun. On Halloween Day, the festivities continued as staff came dressed in amazing costumes for our costume contest and enjoyed a delicious spread of fruit, crackers, dips, and, of course, sweet treats galore! 🍬🍎

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of both contests, who took home frightfully good prizes, including vacation time! 🎉 A huge congratulations to everyone who participated in the fun — your costumes were BOO-tiful, and the decorated doors were absolutely FANG-tastic.

🎃 DOOR DECORATING:
1st Place: The Coco themed door (Linda)
2nd Place: The Happy Halloweenie door (Colleen)
3rd Place: The spookiest by far door (Sada)

This door is themed to the Disney movie, Coco, and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The door is covered in royal blue paper, with the main character, a boy named Miguel, painted as a skeleton, dressed in a pink hoodie and blue pants. He is crossing over a yellow bridge to find his great great grandfather in the Land of the Dead. Brightly colored paper flowers (orange, yellow, and blue) are placed around the top and sides of the door. Above the door, there are colorful papel picado banners, which are traditional Mexican decorative paper cutouts. Next to the door, on the floor to the left, there is a skeleton figure (representing Miguel’s great great grandfather) seated on a small bench, dressed in a brown hat, black vest and brown shorts, holding a white guitar, with a pot of marigold flowers to the left. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with purple edges, featuring the text: "1st Place: Linda, Coco themed door"
This door has a brown background, and at the top, a sign reads, "Happy Halloweenie!" in orange bubble letters in a small white border. The main feature of the door is a large yellow moon centered on the upper half of the door, against which two dachshunds are "flying" on broomsticks, wearing black witch hats and dressed as witches. Two small black bats are attached to the moon. Colorful paper bats in orange, purple, pink, and green, each with a small, cute face, are scattered across the door, surrounding the moon, and green stars are also sprinkled around the door. Toward the bottom of the door, to the left, there is a large, bright green skeleton with a playful expression, positioned as if dancing, with a small orange pumpkin at its feet. Next to the skeleton to the right, a textured, 3D orange pumpkin face with big googly eyes, a surprised expression, and a green stem, peeks out. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with light green edges, featuring the text: "2nd Place: Colleen, HAPPY HALLOWEENIE DOOR"
The backdrop of this door is a red fabric with a black print. The print has a cat eye shape and diamonds, almost looking like a wall of eyes. There is a red, ruffled strip of fabric at the top of the door with a grey pattern that resembles chicken wire. There is a white ribbon with a black raven print that cuts the door into thirds diagonally in the direction of a forward slash; the lower end is on the left and the higher end is on the right. Orange string lights with white wiring line the top of the door and swoop halfway down the door. The swoop of lights is secured in the top middle of the door, forming two oblong shapes along the top half of the door. From the top string of lights, within each oblong shape, is a hanging item. On the left is a creepy, old hand mirror which is white with a chipped orange material around the mirror. On the right is a plastic knife with a grey blade and a black handle with a skull at the end. Betwixt the hanging items, sits a grey ghostly face with glowing blue eyes, attached to the upper middle of the door. The ghostly face is wearing a red and black sequined masquerade mask. Black stringy fabric is used to make an outline of a body. The fabric is fanned out on the sides of the 'body,' swooping up and attaching to the string lights, to appear like wide hanging sleeves. The bottom half of the oblong shapes made out of string lights is covered by the 'arms' and glow through them. A black bat obscures the door handle and moves up and down, as if to fly, when the door is opened. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with blue edges, featuring the text: "3rd Place: Sada, SPOOKIEST DOOR"

🧛‍♂️ FAVORITE COSTUMES:
1st Place: Cammeron dressed as an Egyptian Pharaoh
2nd Place: A tie between Ashlyn dressed as a Strawberry and Sada as Ms. Fizzle
3rd Place: Lauren dressed as Medusa

Cammeron dressed as an Egyptian Pharaoh with a black and gold costume. He is wearing a black and gold striped headpiece and collar, black sleeveless top, black and gold bottom with belt, a gold cape, gold arm cuffs, black and grey socks and black tennis shoes. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with purple edges, featuring the text: "1st Place: Cammeron, Egyptian Pharaoh"
Sada dressed as Ms. Frizzle, a science teacher from the Magic School Bus. She is wearing a very curly, short red wig, long sleeve purple dress with white stars, yellow moon, yellow sun and colorful planets sprinkled throughout, colorful black socks and white tennis shoes with rainbow colors. She is holding the class pet, a green lizard named Liz. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with light blue edges, featuring the text: "2nd Place: Sada, Ms. Frizzle"
Ashlyn dressed as a Strawberry, and is wearing a red, long sleeved sweater top that has decorations of yellow seeds and a green leaf collar, a light green bucket hat, light blue pants, pink socks, black Mary Jane shoes and a purse that looks like a carton of strawberry milk. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with light green edges, featuring the text: "2nd Place: Ashlyn, Strawberry"
Lauren dressed as Medusa. She is wearing a huge and very tall gold snake headband, gold snake necklace, snake print, sleeveless dress, black leggings and black flats. She also had black smudges on her face, chest and arms. At the bottom of the image, there is a white frame with turquoise edges, featuring the text: "3rd Place: Lauren, Medusa"

Thank you to our incredible team for making the day special, and we hope everyone had a safe and wonderful Halloween season. Now… bring on the holiday cheer! 🌟✨

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Happy Fall Birthdays!

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Wow, we seem to say this every year, but where has the time gone?? We are still behind with sharing our past birthday celebrations, but we figure it’s better to spread the happiness now, rather than never!

Please join us in saying a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CIL staff members who celebrated birthdays in August, September and October! We hope you all had wonderful birthdays celebrating YOU!

NIUSHA – August 1st
AMY – August 4th
TONY – August 4th (not pictured)
AMMAL – August 8th (not pictured)
LINDA – August 12th
TERRI – August 18th
DESTINI – August 23rd
MARK – August 31st
LUCINDA – September 4th
LAUREN – October 26th (not pictured)

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Image features the CIL’s August birthdays. Staff are sitting together at a table in the Gainesville activity room. From left to right are Amy, Destini, Mark, Linda and Niusha. Amy and Destini are holding up chocolate frosted cupcakes with a lit candle in each. There are additional lit vanilla frosted cupcakes sitting on the table in front of each staff member. The image is overlaid with text that reads “Happy Birthday” in elegant font, and the name “CIL Gainesville” is placed below in smaller text. The bottom of the image is tinted with a greenish gradient.
Image features our September birthday. Lucinda is standing in the Ocala activity room, holding up her pineapple dream pie. There is a whiteboard behind her that reads, “Happy Birthday Lucinda!” in black ink, with a smiling sun that has been drawn in red ink in the upper right corner. The image is overlaid with text that reads “Happy Birthday” in elegant font, and the name “Lucinda” is placed below in smaller text. The bottom of the image is tinted with a blue gradient.
Image is a picture of Terri standing in the Ocala activity room. She is holding up her birthday spinach dip and broccoli salad. There is a whiteboard behind her that reads, “Happy Terri Appreciation Day!” in red ink. A smiling sun has also been drawn in red ink in the upper right corner. The image is overlaid with text that reads “Happy Birthday” in elegant font, and the name “Terri” is placed below in smaller text. The bottom of the image is tinted with a purple gradient.