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! 💙

At 12:00 p.m. TODAY (9/16), your donation to the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida can go TWICE as far!

💙 Thanks to Team Cone, every online gift up to $100 will be DOUBLE matched dollar-for-dollar until the $20,000 pool runs out. That means your $50 becomes $150, your $100 becomes $300—instantly!

⚠️ The match is limited and will go quickly, so here are some tips to be ready:
1️⃣ Set a reminder for 11:55 a.m. today.
2️⃣ Have your donation info ready to go.
3️⃣ Log on right at 12:00 p.m. sharp to ensure your gift is matched.

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

Together, we can break barriers and build independence for people with disabilities. Don’t miss this chance to double your impact!

Tomorrow, September 16th, the CIL joins nonprofits across our community for Give4Marion, a 33-hour online fundraiser that makes a real difference.

Your support empowers people with disabilities to live, learn, work, and thrive. From building ramps that restore freedom, to teaching essential life skills, to providing assistive technology – your generosity changes lives.

💙 Tomorrow, we come together.
💙 Tomorrow, we create independence.
💙 Tomorrow, we build a community without limits.

👉 Don’t miss your chance to make an impact: Give4Marion CILNCF

On September 16–17, join us for 33 hours of giving to support the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida.

Your gift empowers people with disabilities—just like Brandy, who first connected with us in high school. Through money management workshops and our Project Looking Ahead program, she built confidence, leadership, and workplace skills. In 2024, she even spoke on a statewide panel to share her journey. Now, as she prepares to graduate in 2025, she’s working toward employment and an independent future.

💙 This is the impact of your generosity.

👉 Mark your calendar & donate: https://www.give4marion.org/organizations/center-for-independent-living-of-north-central-florida

Today, we honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the heroes who showed us what courage looks like. Among those impacted were people with disabilities, reminding us of the importance of access, support, and community in every part of life.

At the CIL, we carry their legacy forward by working each day to build a world where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and independence.

On September 16th—just under 2 weeks away—the Center for Independent Living joins #Give4Marion, a 33-hour fundraiser empowering local nonprofits to make our community stronger.

Your support helps neighbors like Mr. Joseph Arsenault, a 95-year-old WWII Veteran who recently reached out to us in need of a ramp. With our help, Joseph now has safe access to his community, enjoys visits with friends and family, and says ‘Life is so much better now!’ 💙

This is the impact of your generosity—together, we make independence possible.

Each year, Labor Day reminds us of the sacrifices and victories that shaped today’s workplace. Born from the labor movement of the late 1800s, this holiday recognizes the fight for fair pay, safe conditions, and dignity on the job.

For people with disabilities, Labor Day also reflects the ongoing push to ensure equitable access to the workforce. Landmark laws like the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 helped break down barriers, but the work continues today.

✅ Advocates have fought for fair wages, reasonable accommodations, and accessible workplaces.
✅ Worker organizations have pressed for policies that protect every individual’s right to contribute and succeed.
✅ Policy recommendations highlight the need for stronger protections, expanded opportunities, and universal design in every workplace.

As we mark Labor Day, let’s honor the past and reaffirm our commitment to building a future where every worker has the chance to participate fully and thrive.