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BRIDGETT:
A SUCCESS STORY
Bridgett became part of the CILDRC Volunteer Program last September, after being referred by a friend. She wanted to volunteer in order to refine her clerical job skills and gain new experiences in an office setting, while also seeking employment.
Bridgett received peer mentoring, skills training, and support for her individual goals, including a referral to Vocational Rehabilitation as a step to achieving her employment goals.
(Pictured left:Bridgett and IL Specialist Danny Broxson)
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On April 8, 2019, Bridgett became employed at Lakeview Center through the Gulf Coast Enterprises On-the-Job Training Program.
Bridgett says: "It has been a wonderful experience working with CILDRC. They taught me a lot about the work world. I've met a lot of caring, supportive people in the last few months and words can't express how blessed I feel. Thank you so much CILDRC and Vocational Rehabilitation for this opportunity! Also a big thanks to Global Connections to Employment for the OJT placement! My advice to the community is not to ever think you can't be somebody when life gets tough; just work hard, believe it and you will achieve it!
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PENSACOLA FERRY LANDING
GRAND OPENING!
CIL Disability Resource Center was in attendance for the grand opening of the Pensacola Ferry Landing. Carolyn Grawi, CILDRC Executive Director, and Kelley Martinez, Advocacy/ Outreach Manager, met a young man named Ben Ward, a former student in Ms. Bradley's class at Brentwood Elementary School. Ben, along with his 4th grade classmates were winners in a competion to name
one of the two Ferry boats.
In response to the boat naming competition launched by Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ben's class submitted "Turtle Runner", which ultimately became the name of one of the Ferry boats. Ben himself came up with the name, saying he "
related turtles to our beaches and he thought of the Ferry as running on the water – so Turtle Runner just popped in my head as a good name”.
The other boat, "Pelican Perch" was submitted by Ms. Stevens
’
class from Cordova Park Elementary School. City Councilwoman Ann Hill and Mayor Grover Robinson were in attendance not only to celebrate the winners, but also to be a part of the Ribbon Cutting. Both elected officials discussed the need for access and engagement in our community. The Ferries provide access to people with mobility impairments, which makes it an recreational opportunity that is inclusive for people with disabilities.
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Above: Ben's mother Crystal Ward, Ben Ward and CILDRC Executive Director Carolyn Grawi
Pictured Below: Ben Ward and Dan Brown, Park Superintendent, Gulf Islands National Seashore
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Pensacola resident and CILDRC Board Member Tara Blackwell's dream to open an adaptive fitness facility for people with physical disabilities came to fruition.
CILDRC staff assisted Tara with the paperwork and information she needed to apply for a 501(c)3 not-for-profit status, just one of the many steps it took to establish the organization.
Together with CILDRC staff and the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Tara celebrated the grand opening of the facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9, 2019. Tara selected this date, as it marks the 14th anniversary of an accident that left her with quadriplegia.
Tara believes the lifestyle/wellness gym will provide quality of life enhancement for people who are physically limited by disability and will also inspire individuals to reach their highest potential in a comfortable environment with people in relatable situations.
For more information about Tara and The Seven Project, please visit https://the7proj.com/.
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Making a Difference!
(Pictured at left center, holding the check for a hoyer lift, CILDRC Independent Living Specialist Karen Jackson and HPANWFL Chairman John Horton, along with other association members)
CILDRC recently partnered with Healthcare Professionals Association of Northwest Florida (HPANWFL) to provide much needed durable medical equipment to a young man with complex physical disabilities.
CILDRC Independent Living Specialist, Karen Jackson, has been working with the young man's family to assess his ongoing needs. As the young man has grown older and heavier, his mother/caregiver desperately needed a hoyer lift to help with transfers to and from his bed and wheelchair. Insurance would not pay for the hoyer lift and his mother felt she had no options because the cost of the lift was more than $1,200.
Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common scenario for many families that are caring for loved ones that have disabilities and need specialized equipment critical to daily life activities. CILDRC relies on community support to help pay for equipment, vehicle lifts and other needs to help families keep their loved one as independent as possible.
Fortunately, HPANWFL was able to provide funding to purchase the hoyer lift, which will greatly improve quality of life for the young man and his mother.
Thank you to HPANWFL for joining CILDRC in making a difference in this family's life!
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CILDRC Night at Wahoos Stadium!
Support the programs at CILDRC and join us for an evening of baseball!
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NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL COMMUNITY AWARDS
NOW BEING ACCEPTED
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As part of the CIL Disability Resource Center’s (CILDRC) ongoing effort to recognize people in the community who are leaders and advocates for people with disabilities, the CILDRC Board of Directors and staff established three prestigious awards to honor chosen recipients during our annual ADA anniversary celebration:
- Joe Oldmixon Award for Outstanding Service to People with Disabilities (download form)
- Spirit of the CIL Award (download form)
- Volunteer of the Year Award (download form)
This year’s winners will be announced at our
annual ADA anniversary celebration luncheon that will be held on Friday, July 26, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
at Pensacola Yacht Club in Pensacola. (See more information about the event below.)
We are seeking your assistance by asking you to nominate an individual in our service area (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties) who exemplifies the criteria described on the nomination forms.
Please submit your nomination(s) to CILDRC by Friday, June 14, 2019
. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the nominations forms, please feel free to contact Danny Broxson at (850) 595-5566 or toll free 1-877-245-2457. You may expedite your response by emailing a scanned copy of your nomination to
danny@cil-drc.org
or faxing to (850) 595-5560.
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The ADA Turns 29!
Planning is underway for the Americans with Disabilities Act 29
th
Anniversary Celebration Awards and Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. See flyer below for more details – but
mark your calendars now! You won’t want to miss it!
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE!
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MEET OUR VISTA!
Jenae Garrette is the Development Support Specialist in charge of conducting capacity building activities at CILDRC. She has been assigned to CILDRC by the Americorps VISTA Aligns Program, a national program that is coordinated locally through United Way of Escambia County.
Jenae helps to conduct activities that are designed to facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to the improved economic well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people with disabilities in Escambia County.
We are thrilled to have Jenae as a part of the CILDRC team!
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YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!
The Florida Independent Living Council needs your assistance with development of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for 2020 - 2022.The SPIL will provide direction on the delivery of independent living services for persons with disabilities. Through partnerships with Centers for Independent Living (CILs), the SPIL will lay out a three year plan to support the independent living outcomes for Floridians with disabilities. Take the survey
here.
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Cross Disability Support Group
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Meetings are held here in the Center’s conference room on
the second Wednesday of each month 12:00 p.m. Please join us!
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Want to help people with disabilities live fuller, more meaningful lives in the community?
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
DONATE TODAY!
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Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, Inc. (FEIN: 59-2288751) dba CIL Disability Resource Center, is a registered charity in the State of Florida, Registration Number CH130.
A copy of the Official registration and financial information maybe obtained from the
Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does
not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com
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SPONSORED BY:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Florida Department of Education - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation State Funding
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
Local Businesses, Private and Individual Donations
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