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Welcome to the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida (CILNWF)

  • CILNWF Ribbon Cutting

Welcome to the Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida (CILNWF)


CIL Logo

 

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, All the Community has to do is call, CILNWF will be there! Please give generously with the Board and staff to meet the community's needs.A 73-year old gentleman with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) was provided with a vehicle lift so that he could transport his power wheelchair when travelling for treatments and in the community in general.

A 73-year old gentleman with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) was provided with a vehicle lift so that he could transport his power wheelchair when travelling for treatments and in the community in general.

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Project Search: Youth Transition Program Director for Gulf Breeze Baptist Hospital borrowed our new Decibel Meter - Vicki Caile
Project Search: Youth Transition Program Director for Gulf Breeze Baptist Hospital borrowed our new Decibel Meter – Vicki Caile
young man in blue shirt and jeans cleaning a window,
An 18-year old high school student with Autism was provided with skills training during a summer career camp. Pictured here working at his new job at McDonald’s.
Older black woman in blue skirt and jacket standing with a rollator and smiling.
An 84-year old woman needed a rollator walker for safety, as she is at risk for injury from falls that could lead to hospitalization or a nursing home stay.
Young man in gray tank top and black shorts being lifted into a van on a lift for his powerchair
CILNWF assisted Shaun with the repairs he needed for the wheelchair lift on his van, restoring his access to transportation.  Repairs like these are expensive and not covered by insurance.  Support from donors like you allow persons like Shaun have independence and inclusion in the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of Impact 100 with Carolyn Grawi and John Collins holding the 108,364 Check
Members of Impact 100 with Carolyn Grawi and John Collins holding the 108,364 Check

The MILES Project is coming and the CIL and IMPACT 100 wants the world to know

MILES = Mobile Independent Living Education Services for Health and Wellness

We are so excited!!! We are honored to share that Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida was selected by the Women of Impact 100 for a significant grant!

Be watching for more updates as the project is implemented and we roll out near you! 

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Women of Impact 100 for their unwavering support in championing the rights of individuals of all ages and disabilities to forge their own path in life. Your invaluable contribution will allow us to extend our services to underserved communities, where resources are scarce, and people are often left feeling isolated. The MILES project will undoubtedly have a profound and lasting impact on a daily basis, thanks to your unwavering support.

With much gratitude, 

The CILNWF Team and Board of Directors 

John Collins speaking to the committee at Impact 100 as a finalist.   Carolyn Grawi speaking to the committee at Impact 100 as a finalist

Congratulations to all the deserving recipients of 2023 IMPACT 100 grants!  Take a look at the list Media Release: IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area Announces 2023 Grant Recipients.

All Impact 100 Award Recipients of the Million Dollar Impact 100 Award holding large cardboard checks for $108,364.00
All Impact 100 Award Recipients of the Million Dollar Impact 100 Award holding large cardboard checks for $108,364.00

 

 

 

 

Our Organizational Mission, Vision, Values, Philosophy, and Goals

Organizational Mission

CILNWF promotes, educates, facilitates, assists, and advocates with and on behalf of people with disabilities in partnership with their communities to achieve their goals for independence.

Organizational Vision

CILNWF envisions a world where people with disabilities have freedom, choice, and control over all aspects of their lives so they can fully and equally participate in society.

Organizational Values

  • Dignity and Respect

  • Ethics and Integrity

  • Diversity

  • Collaboration

  • Service

Organizational Philosophy

  • Our Center assists persons with disabilities and caregivers to establish lives of independence. We believe that persons with disabilities deserve the same opportunities for independence which are available to every American.  Independent Living is having the right and the opportunity for individuals to pursue their lives based on the freedom of choice.

  • It is having the freedom to succeed or fail, to learn from one’s failures, and to be supported in those efforts, regardless of the outcome. Empowerment (personal power) gives individuals control over their choices and their lives.

  • We believe that persons with disabilities and caregivers are themselves qualified to assist others in identifying and acquiring the services necessary to overcome barriers, whether architectural, systemic or attitudinal

  • Our staff and Board of Directors offer life experience in dealing with barriers to independence and represent a wide range of disabilities.  In addition, we value collaboration with representatives from disability related groups to help determine and evaluate the kinds of services our Center offers, and which services and programs we advocate for in the community.

Organizational Goals

  • To expand and promote inclusive community opportunities for consumers with the variety and quality that are available to the general public.

  • To use consumer input as the basis for planning and provision of services.

  • To promote our mission through advocacy, education and services.

  • To promote barrier removal, advocacy, self-help, peer role models and peer counseling.

  • To offer a wide variety of services.  Five core services are essential to assist and support efforts of people with disabilities to live independently. They are: Information and referral, Independent living skills, training, peer counseling, advocacy and transition services.

We provide programs, services, and opportunities in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties.

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COVID-19

Covid-19 Update

As the situation with the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, CIL of Northwest Florida is committed to developing ways to provide services for people with disabilities in the safest, most efficient manner possible.

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Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, All the Community has to do is call, CILNWF will be there! Please give generously with the Board and staff to meet the community's needs.

Newsletter

Our Organization wants to make sure you are always up-to-date on what our organization does and supports each week. Please explore our most current newsletters and all our past ones. We are here to serve!

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Young man with laptop

Webinar Series

Come check out the current and archived webinars presented by the staff of CIL of Northwest Florida. Our library contains different webinars for all interests and needs in our community.

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What We Have to Offer!

  • Advocacy Services

  • Information and Referral

  • Independent Living Skills

  • Peer Mentors

  • Community Transition

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