Greetings | The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida welcomes you! If you have any questions about the center or the services we provide, please contact us at 352-378-7474. Our number again, is 3, 5, 2, 3, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7, 4.
Juneteenth, a powerful day of commemoration on June 19th, signifies the liberation of enslaved African-Americans. However, let us not forget the overlooked plight of disabled individuals who were denied freedom by the Emancipation Proclamation. While President Lincoln’s proclamation freed most enslaved African Americans in 1863, the journey to liberation was prolonged for many. Today, as we celebrate Juneteenth and it’s growing recognition, we must raise our voices for the forgotten disabled individuals who endured continued oppression. We must advocate for justice, accessibility, and inclusive societal structures that grant freedom to all. Let this day ignite our passion for a world where every person, regardless of ability, can thrive and embrace their inherent rights.
ID: Graphic has a red, green, and yellow geometric background. On the left is a silhouette of an African American woman, donned in a yellow and green head garment, and red and yellow hoop earrings. “Freedom Day” is written at the top. The quote “Whether it’s freedom to express, freedom to live, freedom to earn, freedom to thrive, freedom to learn, whatever it is, I want to make sure that I’m a part of these spaces and opening doors.” -Angela Rye, Social Justice Advocate is displayed in the middle. “19 June” is written at the bottom. All text on the graphic is written in white.
Our HSHT students enjoyed an end-of-the-school-year field trip to Jacksonville last week! The students attended a tour at J-Tech where they learned about the various programs offered including, automotive technology, diesel technology, HVAC- R, and marine & RV technology. They also toured the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta where they learned about the history of the Federal Reserve System. Thank you so much to J- Tech and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta for providing great tours and information about a wide range of career opportunities!
ID: There are 4 photos; each bordered with a variety of CILNCF colors (blue, light blue, purple, green, and turquoise). A white CILNCF logo is displayed in every picture on the bottom right corner. Picture 1: group photo at J-Tech Institute; Picture 2: tour of body shop at J-Tech; Picture 3: group photo at the Federal Reserve Bank; Picture 4: a small bag of shredded Federal Reserve notes.
Last month, we were selected as the recipient for fundraising charity for the Triviadrome season finals! $519 was raised that night and, with our trivia hosts’ contributions, we raised nearly $600 for The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida!!! These funds will go on to sustain our services with the most need, allowing us to continue to empower people with disabilities in achieving their goals for independence. Some of our CILNCF staff–Clara, Holly, Cammeron, and Sada–partook in the trivia game and they had such a blast! Many thanks to Triviadrome for this amazing opportunity!!!
ID: There are 3 pictures, each framed in a polaroid border with a colorful background. Picture 1 from left to right are Clara, Holly, Cammeron, and Sada holding the check on stage, with Triviadrome staff member standing next to Sada and giving a thumbs-up. Picture 2 is Sada taking a selfie with Holly, Clara and Cammeron in the background. Picture 3: Picture of Triviadrome announcer talking on stage at the event. The screen reads, “Triviadrome Science Fiction Double Feature: Season Finale and Charity Game benefitting the Center for Independent Living, Saturday, May 13, 8PM, The Backyard.”
CILNCF is co-hosting a webinar with the University of Florida to discuss terminology for and in support of the disability community. This webinar will also explore the culture of disability through the presenters sharing their professional and personal experiences.
Webinar: Disability: “It’s Not What You Think” When: Thursday, June 8, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
This webinar is presented by Florida’s AgrAbility Program, supported by the USDA/NIFA, UF/IFAS and CILNCF
ID: Graphic has a purple background with a green and blue rectangle on the right of the graphic. A photo of a farmer sitting in a lift is pictured on the right with the AgrAbility logo displayed at the bottom of the photo. CILNCF logo is displayed on the top right of the graphic. On the left side of the graphic displays all webinar information shared in the post’s caption.
Hurricane season is officially here! Our CIL Emergency Preparedness Team continues to represent in our catchment areas to ensure people with disabilities are well prepared, create a plan and build an emergency kit. Last weekend, CIL staff Kevin Towles and Terri Poucher attended the Citrus County Hurricane Expo, and helped spread the word about all we do at the CIL, especially with Emergency Preparedness, and informed attendees about resources in Citrus County. To learn more about our Emergency Preparedness Program, or if you have any questions about how to get prepared, please contact Kevin Towles at 352-368=3788 ext. 1017, or ktowles@cilncf.org.
ID: Picture of Terri (left) and Kevin (right) standing behind the CIL table, covered with a royal blue tablecloth and CIL brochures, at the Citrus County Hurricane Expo. The CIL standing banner is to their right. There is a blue border around the photo with the CIL logo in the top right corner. “Citrus County Hurricane Expo is written on the top left in white with a white line running down the left side. A white line runs along the bottom of the photo with “Emergency Preparedness” written next to it.
We have been busy bees here at the CIL this spring! Check out how we continue to make a difference in the lives of our consumers with disabilities. Read the success stories from our consumers and join our email list to stay updated: https://conta.cc/3IEFe50
ID: Graphic shows a white post-it note with the quote “Where flowers bloom, so does hope. – Lady Bird Johnson” The CIL logo is displayed in the top right corner. Spring flowers are displayed along the bottom of the graphic.
Learn about personal preparedness tips for people with disabilities in the event of a disaster. The PSA emphasizes the Ready Campaign’s four building blocks of preparedness – Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Get Involved. Available with open caption and a certified deaf interpreter.
VD: Sherman Gillums Jr. sits in his wheelchair in front of a blue curtain and 3 flags (USA, FEMA, and US Department of Homeland Security) to deliver this message. An ASL video is presented in the top right corner.
The hurricane season will be here SOON on June 1 st ! This spring, our Emergency Preparedness Program has been incredibly busy ensuring individuals with disabilities in the communities we serve are fully informed and prepared.
Kevin Towles, CIL Consumer Specialist, represented the CIL at several events during the past couple of months: presenting at the 37 th Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference in West Palm Beach, participating in three hurricane expos at Stone Creek in Ocala, The Villages and at the Fairgrounds in Lake County, and participating in a table top hurricane drill in Citrus County and a cyber-attack drill in Hernando County. CIL staff member Terri Poucher joined Kevin in Stone Creek, and CIL staff Andrea Melvin and Ken Sanders joined him at The Villages. During the Governor’s Hurricane Conference, Kevin spoke about the CIL’s role in assisting before, during and after an emergency, as well as what can be done to fill the gap between emergency personal and CIL’s throughout Florida. During the hurricane expos, CIL staff spoke about CIL services, and how we can assist and prepare people with disabilities in emergency situations. During the annual drills, the purpose was to make sure all of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) personnel and partners are up-to-date about procedures and how to work together during an emergency.
Thank you so much to our Emergency Preparedness Team and all that you do for people with disabilities in our local and surrounding communities!
ID: The first pic is Kevin at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference (GHC) being silly, posing in front of a lightening storm backdrop.
The second pic is from the GHC. Pictured from left to right are Tammy Skinner with disAbility Solutions, Ciawanda McDonald (sitting), CEO, disAbility Solutions, Chris Littlewood, Center for Public Safety, Beth Meyer, Executive Director FILC, and Kevin Towles, Consumer Specialist, CILNCF.
The third pic is from the Stone Creek Hurricane Expo and shows Kevin (left) and Terri (right) sitting at the CIL table with brochures and giveaways. The CIL standing banner is to their left.
The fourth pic shows all participants sitting at tables in a large room at the Emergency Operations Center, Citrus County Table Top Hurricane Drill.
Service comes in many forms. Today we express our gratitude to our fallen heroes. Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
ID: Graphic of 3 soldiers, shadowed in blue, holding the U.S. flag on the left lower side. “Memorial Day” is in large, blue print up top, and “Always Remember, Never Forget” is in small print below that to the right.
The 2023 hurricane season is almost here, so be sure to get prepared and save some money too while you gather supplies! There will be not one, but two 14-day disaster preparedness sales tax holidays in Florida in this year! The first is coming up, running May 27 th through June 9 th , and the second will be from August 26 th through September 8 th . The second tax-free holiday is new this year and comes right before the busiest period of hurricane season.
Some examples of tax-free items include: flashlights and lanterns costing $40 or less; reusable ice costing $20 or less; radios costing $50 or less; tarps and ground anchors or tie down kits costing $100 or less; coolers and portable power banks costing $60 or less; batteries and fuel tanks costing $50 or less; smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors costing $70 or less; and generators costing $3,000 or less.
The holiday also includes a number of items related to the safe evacuation of household pets. Common household consumable items that may helpful with disaster cleanup are also included. For example, laundry detergent, toilet paper and paper towels, soap, sunscreen, and various household cleaning products, with a sales price of $30 or less.
ID: Graphic includes the information shared above, along with a photo of emergency supplies next to a clipboard with an emergency preparation checklist
