We’re celebrating DEAM by continuing to highlight our Employment consumers and businesses!

Consumers Josiah Burgos (center) and Dwaun Harris (individual picture) are enjoying their time at Comfort Suites, and working well with staff members Ms. Ashley (left) and Debbie Sigler (right).  The Comfort Suites team has gone above and beyond in altering duties, making lists, shifting schedules, and calling the job coach in when needed.  Josiah and Dwaun are both very supportive friends, occasionally ride to work together and help each other out with duties as needed.  Both consumers love their jobs and referred to Comfort Suites staff as “family”

The CIL truly appreciates all that Comfort Suites has done in supporting our consumer’s employment!

The Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL) is accepting applications for the James Patrick Memorial Work Incentive Personal Assistant Services program (JPPAS). The JPPAS program provides monthly stipends to qualified Floridians with disabilities who are employed and require personal assistance services for daily living.

James Patrick shared his story and how JPPAS came to be. James was diagnosed with astrocytoma when he was 16 months old and had been in a wheelchair since the age of 12. James had a passion for the Tax Collection Enforcement Diversion Program, while working at the State Attorney’s Office and eventually worked towards passing a bill that allowed for some of the state sales tax revenue to help working persons with disabilities, who because they were working, were disqualified from receiving social security income. This bill established JPPAS.

Click on the links to read more about James Patrick and the application!

https://www.floridacils.org/JamesPatrickStory.html

http://www.floridacils.org/pca-services-program

We’re celebrating DEAM by highlighting our Employment businesses!

Manager’s Kevin (pictured) and Kurtis of BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse went above and beyond in employing a CIL consumer to bus tables. They were very open to accommodating any needs, giving the consumer an opportunity to show his skills. The consumer remains very excited about the job and continues to work very hard. BJ’s management recognizes his hard work and positive attitude.

The CIL appreciates all that BJ’s has done to welcome and include our consumer in their family atmosphere!

Please join us for our CIL Youth Leadership and Social Group Halloween Party! Participate from Zoom today from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Wear your best costumes, we hope to see you there!

Zoom username: 3523787474
Passcode: cilclass

The CIL is continuing to celebrate DEAM with more highlights of our Employment consumers and businesses!

Triple Crown Trailers has employed two of our consumers! They have hired Delroy Hunt Jr. as a welder (far right) and Cameron Foy (far left) works in axle assembly. Delroy has completed both basic and advanced welding and was promoted after one week, and then after a just couple of weeks was promoted again to welding assembly, where he is now welding trailers together! Cameron is super excited, proud, and happy that Triple Crown will be reintroducing him to small welding repairs until he builds up more confidence. Cameron is hoping to get back into welding and put his skills to use soon!

Thanks so much to the team at Triple Crown Trailers. You have all gone above and beyond to ensure that our consumers are comfortable, heard, and have the necessities to be successful!

The DEAM celebration continues with more highlights of our Employment consumers and businesses!

Canteen, who support a partnership with the CIL to help people with disabilities gain skills for employment has been collaborating with the CIL for several years. Canteen has hired a number of our consumers. Everybody wins when employers like Canteen open up to possibilities!

Pictured below are some of the great staff at Canteen!

The CIL is celebrating DEAM and highlighting our Employment consumers and businesses!

April is enjoying her position as a cashier. April, like many others, was given the chance to try out her skills in a retail setting at Rural King.  April performed so well during her work experience, that she was hired.  Big thanks to Rural King for caring about their community and giving people a chance to learn practical work skills!

The CIL would like to thank Satchel’s Pizza for supporting our Wheelchair Ramp Program!

David Nance’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s has progressed throughout the years, affecting his mobility and balance. In recent months, his children have had to assist David when entering or exiting their home, limiting his independence. David has needed support from one child in front of him and another behind him, as he is unable to use his walker on the stairs to maintain his balance. With the stairs as a barrier, David’s ability to leave his home was greatly limited, leading to feelings of isolation.

Thanks to funding from Satchel’s Pizza and their Satch Cares grant, the Nances’ received a new wheelchair ramp! The ramp allows David to live a more independent life, as he is now able to enter and exit his home as he pleases, and do so safely. David and his family are beyond grateful for the opportunity to get back to enjoying the outdoors together.

From the Nances’ and all of us here at CILNCF, thank you so much Satchel’s Pizza, for your continued generosity throughout Alachua County, and making this all possible! We truly appreciate your support of people with disabilities in our community!

This Tuesday, October 19^th from 3:30pm to 5:00pm during the Youth Leadership and Social Group, we will talk about dressing styles, share ideas and thoughts on dressing, repurposing clothes, and finding good deals in thrift stores. We will also discuss how to dress for a job interview.

Zoom username: 3523787474

Passcode:cilclass

The CIL continues to celebrate DEAM this month! Here is a consumer update for you to enjoy! Hallie Parrett has been working at Veneauto as an office assistant for almost seven months now. Hallie loves her job and the positive environment at the office. Thank you, Veneauto and your entire team, for being such a fantastic partner and for all of the employment opportunities you have been providing to our consumers. We are truly grateful for your support of people with disabilities in our community!