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.
Our Wellness Team recently created a welcome pause in the middle of a busy workday, bringing staff together for a shared lunch and a chance to get creative.
Team members enjoyed time connecting with one another while crafting festive ornaments that will soon decorate holiday trees throughout our CIL offices. It was a simple reminder of the importance of slowing down, fostering connection, and making space for creativity and joy in the workplace.
Thank you to our Wellness Team for prioritizing moments that support well-being, community, and a little holiday cheer! 🎄
At the recent State High School High Tech (HSHT) Conference held at the Brownwood Hotel in The Villages, all four of our HSHT programs: Marion, Alachua, Putnam, and Levy counties, were honored with the Quality High School High Tech Program Award. This excellence award recognizes programs that go above and beyond in creating meaningful, impactful opportunities for students, and we are incredibly proud to see our collective efforts recognized at the state level.
Congratulations to Mika Vuto, Pepper Anderson, Mark Yazigi, and Miranda Dodd for their leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to student success. This achievement reflects the care, intention, and passion each of you brings to your work every day.
We are also proud to celebrate Pepper Anderson, HSHT Coordinator for Putnam County, who received the 2025 Connecting Activities Guidepost Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service. With 19 years of dedicated service, Pepper’s work has had a lasting impact on students and families throughout Putnam County, and this recognition is a well-deserved testament to her advocacy, leadership, and continued commitment to creating meaningful pathways for student success.
We are grateful for our HSHT team and proud of the work being done across all four counties to empower students, expand possibilities, and open doors to brighter futures.
As we close out the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the first in nearly a decade with no major U.S. landfalls and no direct threats to Florida, now is the perfect time to look ahead and strengthen our preparedness for 2026.
At the CIL, we believe that being informed today means being safer tomorrow. That’s why we’re excited to announce our dates for the 2026 Emergency Preparedness Expos, offering FREE resources to help people with disabilities in our community prepare for any type of emergency.
Each expo will feature vital resources, local partners, and guidance to help you feel confident and prepared for any type of emergency. ASL interpreters will be provided.
📅 Please save the date for your county’s expo below, and let’s stay ready for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
These events are FREE and open to the disability community and their families. For additional information, please contact: 📧 Kevin Towles — ktowles@cilncf.org 📞 (352) 368-3788
Let’s stay prepared, stay informed, and stay connected.
📍 2026 EXPO LOCATIONS & DATES
Columbia County Columbia County Senior Service 628 SE Allison Ct, Lake City, FL 32025 🗓 February 21st | 10am–1pm
Alachua County Senior Recreation Center 5701 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32653 🗓 March 12th | 9am–1pm
Marion County CFCC / Ewers Century Center 3001 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474 🗓 March 24th | 9am–1pm
Putnam County Putnam County Fairgrounds 118 Fairgrounds Rd, East Palatka, FL 32131 🗓 April 11th | 10am–1pm
Bradford County Carley E. Johns Conference Center 1610 N Temple Ave, Starke, FL 32091 🗓 April 25th | 10am–1pm
The Center for Independent Living’s Youth Program is excited to share that we are participating in The Able Trust’s High School High Tech Domino’s Fundraiser — and we’re officially underway!
From now until December 15, 2025, our youth participants will be selling the Slice the Price Card, a special Domino’s offer that gives you:
🍕 Buy a large pizza, get a large pizza FREE Valid every time you order, now through June 30, 2026.
This fundraiser directly supports our Youth Program initiatives and helps us continue empowering young people with disabilities through career exploration, skill-building opportunities, and community engagement.
The CIL had the pleasure of joining the historic McIntosh 1890s Festival on Nov, 8th and what an incredible day it was! With thousands of visitors walking the streets to shop handmade crafts, enjoy live entertainment, reconnect with friends, and kick off the holiday season, the festival was full of energy and community spirit.
Our team members Kevin and Mika represented the CIL at this year’s event, sharing information about our services and connecting with countless festival-goers. They had wonderful conversations, met many new faces, and helped spread awareness about the resources and support CILNCF provides to people with disabilities throughout North Central Florida.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a beloved local tradition and to continue building relationships within our community. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about the CIL—your support keeps our mission moving forward!
💚 For more information about the festival, visit the McIntosh 1890s Festival website: https://mcintosh1890sfestival.com/
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Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice. Your service and commitment to protecting our freedoms inspire us every day.
At the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, we are especially proud to serve veterans in our community—helping to ensure that independence, accessibility, and inclusion are part of the life you fought to protect.
❤️ Thank you for your service, your strength, and your continued impact in our communities.
In observance of Veteran’s Day, our offices are closed today and will reopen tomorrow for normal business hours.
The University of Florida is conducting a survey about experiences trying to access local services (what worked and what barriers you faced).
– Confidential – Voluntary – (~5–20 minutes) – No compensation
Who can participate? Adults 18–80, including those with autism/other NDD or caregivers/guardians who have received or attempted to receive services from Gainesville-area organizations listed on the flyer.
How to participate or learn more: See the contact details on the attached flyer to reach researchers
IRB#202500706 UF Dept. of Psychiatry Evaluating Accessible Services for Individuals with Autism & Other Neurodevelopmental Conditions
The CIL will be tabling at this year’s Fifth Annual Gainesville Opportunity Center (GOC) Fall Festival, and we’d love for you to stop by and say hello!
📅 Friday, November 7 🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM 📍 Gainesville Opportunity Center, 1210 NW 14th Avenue
Come enjoy an afternoon filled with friends, food, and festivities! – Take a tour of the GOC – Meet GOC Members and local community partners – Enjoy a cookout (suggested donation: $10) – Learn more about local resources supporting mental health, housing, employment, and independent living
This event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with organizations working together to empower our community and make a difference.
As October comes to a close, we reflect on National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a time to celebrate the vital contributions of workers with disabilities and to advocate for greater accessibility and opportunity in every workplace.
But our commitment doesn’t end here.
At the CIL, we believe that employment is more than a paycheck — it’s empowerment, independence, and a pathway to a more accessible community.
Every day, we continue our work to break down barriers, support self-advocacy, and create opportunities where everyone can thrive — because progress doesn’t stop when the month ends.
Let’s carry the spirit of NDEAM forward — championing access, innovation, and opportunity all year long.
