2020-2021
Annual Report
This year was not easy. but because of you we made great things happen.
OUR Mission
The Center for Independent Living, in partnership with the community, promotes personal rights and responsibilities among people with all disabilities and strive to eliminate architectural, communication, and attitudinal barriers by providing education, resources, and training to enhance self-determination through informed choice.
OUR VISION
To preserve dignity and respect of people with disabilities through access and full integration in society.
2020-2021 Board Members
Mellissa Slover-Athey, Board Chair Kim Byerly, Past Chair Maxine Moul, Vice Chair Steve Beres, Treasurer Cheryl Stone, Secretary
Michelle Blake Hector Del Valle Gregory Edwards Tamara Mackroy James Moody
Christopher Pruitt Holly Muller Kevin Reynolds Bill Rodriguez Dr. Maxine Ruddock Lavonda Wilder
DEAR FRIENDS, CIL would like to share with you all that we have been up to in the last 365 days. As staff, volunteers, and community partners all came together in the hopes of overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, we learned that this would not be a simple chapter in our books- it would be an ongoing journey, just like our commitment to the community and the people that we serve. This last year has taught us so much about our strength of character and responsibility to our communities, but also the people overlooked that have not shared the equalities and promises that founded our country. It is still an uphill battle for people with disabilities and the journey continues every day. As we celebrated the 31st anniversary of the history-changing document, the Americans with Disabilities Act, we spent the year working hard to ensure that we were living up to our mission to break down barriers that unfortunately still exist. For so many people with disabilities, transportation is a common barrier that keeps many sheltered in their own homes. When COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to the public, we knew it was our duty to get as many of our consumers the vaccination if they wanted it. We partnered with The Florida Department of Health and FEMA to fully vaccinate 85 of our consumers, and their loved ones, while also coordinating transportation at no cost to many of these recipients. During all of this, we have still maintained our focus to our core programs and services that we continued to provide to those who still relied on our services. We provided 224 consumers with 333 home modifications like widening doorways, installing grab bars and wheelchair ramps. We watched 15 students graduate from our 2020-2021 Project SEARCH program, with many of those graduates finding fulfilling employment shortly after they walked the graduation stage. We helped 70 individuals prepare for the job-world, and even better- watched those 68 individuals accept job offers that utilized and appreciated their unique skills and talents. We provided essential information and referral services to 3,984 people who had been asking themselves “where do I start?” before coming to us to get the answers that they had been looking for. While it would have been easy to close our doors during the pandemic, we knew that would have meant closing the doors to the people who count on us the most. For us it was clear, our community would always come first as long as we could do so in the safest means possible- and this annual report will show you that we did just that. THANK YOU for supporting our mission of creating opportunities and breaking down barriers for individuals with disabilities here in Central Florida. Your support continues to fuel their journey of living an independent life.
Elizabeth Howe Executive Director
Mellissa Slover- Athey Board Chair
Keeping our community healthy and safe. On Wednesday, March 24 the CIL Winter Park office was transformed
into a COVID-19 vaccination site, complete with location transportation, waiting areas, certified nurses, snacks, and plenty of smiles. The Florida Department of Health partnered with CIL to make this transformation a reality- allowing over 50 individuals with disabilities to receive a vaccination for COVID-19.The harsh reality is that many people living with disabilities are unable to leave their own homes; whether it’s due to a lack of reliable and disability-friendly transportation, or because their disability itself keeps them from being able to leave their home, the disability population has been overlooked during the vaccination rollout process. Through the use of various transportation services like Lyft, Mears, and LYNX, CIL was able to transport many vaccine recipients safely from their homes to the CIL office (and vice versa), where the vaccinations were taking place.
Through partnership with the Florida Department of Health, CIl was able to vaccinate 85 individuals who would otherwise not have been able to get vaccinated.
CIL ANNUAL REPORT 2021 | 5
Everyone Deserves
A little piece of heaven. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 18, Lillie
was told by doctors that she was in for a long road ahead, and warned her that her mobility would steadily decrease, leaving her ultimately unable to walk. Lillie’s diagnosis did not slow her down, and she went on to have many fulfilling jobs; a bus driver, a teacher’s aide, and even a certified nursing assistant. She even continued to enjoy her other passions like sewing, crocheting, and spending time with her 21 grandchildren. Although Lillie remained active, her own home was keeping her from participating in all of the things that made her happy and brought her a feeling of purpose. That’s when she reached out and made a call to CIL to see if she could make her home more accessible. It wasn’t long before a group of volunteers from KMI International came to build what Lillie would come to call her “little piece of heaven”. Lillie’s new aluminum ramp has brought some much needed independence back to her life. She can go outside for walks, participate in community events, and simply enjoy the things that bring her joy.
“I just thank my angels for giving me my ramp so I can be independent like I used to be. I am so grateful.” Lillie had the opporunity to thank her “angels” from KMI International who installed her new ramp.
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57
Ages 1-19
Ages 20-24
343
554
Ages 25-59
Ages 60+
410
Served cog
n it ive
431 Seminole
nt
lt h
26
a l Hea
97 M u lt i p l e
5
Orange
Osceola
346 h earin g
Vis u al
P h y si c a l
SERVING SEVEN Counties
Female
A YEAR OF
Types of Disabilities
103
598
Male
Me
1,008
During 2020-2021, we proudly assisted 1,095 consumers in finding their independence.
54
Polk
Hardee
Highlands
De Soto
73 volunteers completed 984 hours = total value of $28,083
IMPACT. 85
COVID-19 vaccines safely administered to consumers and other community members in need
111
deaf consumers served through free tax prep amounting to $149,254 in returns
Over
$110,000 raised through fundraising efforts
CIL ANNUAL REPORT 2021 | 9
A touch of fresh paint can go a long way. On Thursday, April 22, the CIL parking lot was filled with over 20 smiling volunteers from Siemens to help celebrate Earth Day with a refreshing of landscaping. From mulching to touching up the paint in our parking lot- these volunteers made the most of their time.
CIL is proud to partner with organizations and members in our community who are invested in the improvement of our main office.
Thank you
All hands were on deck for Siemens’ landscaping project at CIL! Community members of all ages gloved up and got dirty to beautify our Winter Park office location. A brand new hand-designed front sign was even created and installed by a volunteer from Siemens!
CIL ANNUAL REPORT 2021 | 11
When we celebrate
We celebrate big. It
was Lights! Camera! Action! for our annual Celebrating Independence LIVE! fundraising event on June 25, 2021. While this annual event is normally held in-person, to maintain the health and safety of our community, the event was held virtually for the second year in a row. Except this year, CIL partnered with Full Sail University to take the production value of the event to the next level! Hosted by Stephanie Bechara, Reporter for Spectrum News 13- this one-hour event was spent celebrating all things independence and the work that CIL had done in the last year, and of course raised funds for the continuation of CIL’s programs that provide essential services to countless individuals in Central Florida. The Beverly Chapman Award was presented to Sarah Goldman, an advocate and leader in creating change for people with disabilities through her advocacy work as a District Aide in the Florida House of Representatives. The second award of the evening, the Champion Award was presented to Orlando Health for their commitment to service and lasting impact in support of the disability community.
By the end of the event, $15,000 was raised to go right back to the work that CIL is able to provide to the countless people with disabilities in Central Florida.
Special thanks to our event sponsors:
Deb & Wayne Kalish
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Foundations
to Freedom Five years ago, Luz Gonzalez was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a diagnosis that would change the way she lived the rest of her life. This disease had taken so much away from Luz- her mobility being the most difficult to cope with. Her ability to get around on her own drastically decreased and now she fully relies on her wheelchair to do even the simplest of things like getting around her home. Losing her ability to walk wasn’t the only obstacle that she faced. The steps leading to her front door seemed like a steep mountain, and if she fell down, she was unsure if she would be able to get back up on her own. The cost and logistics of getting a ramp on her own were simply not feasible to Luz.That’s when she reached out to CIL, and in just one day- Luz’s new ramp was built with the help of volunteers.
“This ramp has truly changed my life. It has given me the ability to be independent, to access my home, and to not feel like a burden to others.”
No one should ever feel like a prisoner in their own home. This program provides customized home modification as well as durable medical equipment that ensures safety and accessibility, allowing individuals with disabilities to remain independent in their own home. Services include: • Custom installations of residential wheelchair ramps • Widening of interior doorways • Installation of grab bars • Bathroom & kitchen modifications • Amplified phones • Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, canes, bath and potty chairs
224
145
consumers provided with 333 home modifications.
amplified phones distributed
167
8
consumers provided with 239 pieces of equipment
Ramps done with community partners | 15
Step
Ahead Navigating entry into the workforce as a young adult can be a daunting
and challenging task, especially during a global pandemic. Having a disability of any sort can make that process even more difficult.Tyler,18, was one of the six participants in Project SEARCH at Lakeland Regional Health this year. He began the program in August 2020 and graduated with his classmates in April 2021. Upon completing the program, Tyler was offered a full-time position at Lakeland Regional Health as a Sterile Processing Technician- an opportunity that he had not expected would happen at this point in his life. The program created an opportunity for Tyler and his classmates to get first-hand experience in a realworld work setting, while also allowing participants to let their talents shine; which is what ultimately happened with Tyler. Moreover, Project SEARCH fosters an environment of acceptance-putting participants, like Tyler, in settings that allow them to grow socially while learning to advocate for themselves professionally.
Young- adults with disabilities often fall between the cracks after leaving the school system. This program assists young adults between the ages of 14-24 with the transition from school to adult life. Participants will experience a holistic approach that helps them plan for their future, whether that is postsecondary education, vocational training, or employment. Services include: • Career exploration • Job readiness training • Resume writing • Job shadowing • Work-based training • Advocacy training • Step Ahead programs include Project SEARCH and Career Camps.
30
in- school youth served
22
out-of-school youth served
15
Project SEARCH graduates
“I’m usually the quiet person that just sits and does the job; nothing more, nothing less. But after a little while, I’ve opened up and made lots of friends. This has been life-changing for me. “ | 17
Aspire to Hire
Disability should never be a barrier to employment but unfortunately, people with disabilities often find themselves in underpaid jobs or unemployed. This program assists job seekers identify, magnify and leverage their unique abilities in order to gain and maintain meaningful employment . Through partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation, services include: • Assistance with job search • Pre-employment skills training • Resume writing • Interview skills • Self-advocacy training
When Latonja came to CIL in 2015, she had one simple goal: to find
a job. Something that sounds so simple to other people was an uphill challenge for her. Why? Because Latonja is Deaf. Just like many of the people that CIL helps in the Aspire to Hire program, her disability made it extremely difficult to not just find employment, but employers that treated her with the respect and dignity that she deserves. Individuals who are Deaf, like Latonja, face unique hurdles in the employment process- from the application, to transportation, to actual employment. While in the program, her case manager was there to help with every part of the process, which included job readiness training and preemployment skills training. During this process, it just so happened that CIL was in need of a janitorial staff member to join their team, and actually hired Latonja to fill the role, where she is still gainfully employed.
68
job seekers placed in jobs
70
consumers received supported employment services
30
participants completed pre-employment skills training
“People sometimes assume that because of having a disability, that I can’t do certain things, or that I am not able to do them well. I just want to be talked to and respected like a normal person and not avoided because of my disability.” | 19
Community
Inclusion Danielle is CIL’s Communication Specialist, which means that she
comes into the office each day with a new challenge to help a consumer with. Whether it’s helping a person apply for benefits or a government program, or simply helping a person successfully use bus or train transportation; anything that a person needs to do in their day-today life is where Danielle is there to assist. As someone who is Deaf themself, Danielle understands how difficult and confusing it can be to navigate things in life without the necessary knowledge or education. Something like filing taxes can be straightforward to someone without a disability but could be extremely difficult for someone with a disability who doesn’t have the proper resources or guidance. Danielle and the community inclusion program aim to reduce the number of hurdles that some may face by proving the knowledge, resources, and most importantly- the commitment, that changes a plead for help into a sigh of relief.
“Knowing how to make use of public transportation, like the bus or the train, shouldn’t keep a person from living their full lives. It’s that simple.”
Individuals with disabilities face many barriers that prevent them from living an independent life. This program assesses the needs of people regardless of age or disability. Our team works closely with individuals to develop independent living plans, access resources, and monitor services to ensure a positive outcome. Services include: • Information and referral • Navigation of Government sponsored programs • Applying for benefits • Navigation of additional community resources • Skills Training • Peer Support and advocacy • Transition from facilities back to home
3,984 served through information and referral
85
individuals assisted with advocacy
2,997
hours spent providing services to 268 Deaf individuals
16
individuals transitioned out of restrictive environments back to their homes
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Individual Donors
CIL relies on the support of many individuals, corporations, and foundations throughout our community to continue to provide services and programs to our neighbors in the disability community. We would like to acknowledge the following donors for their support.
Jacob Abercrombie Megan Almasi Jennifer Alvarado Maria Alvarado Michael Amato Danielle Appignani Druscilla Aranze Lozada Marilyn Austen Mary Lou Basham Sesin Bechara Dominic Benevento Steve Beres Melanie Bischof Michelle Blake Thomas Bock Brien Borden Shirley Bruce Edwin Burgos Carla Campbell Lizette Carapellucci Sabrina Case Ardel Cheffer Susan Cohen Mary Cooper Linda and Michael Costa Bob Cox Candy Dawson John De Miranda Frances De Nino Hector Del Valle
Eddie DelValle Maria Diaz Figueroa Robert Dickson John Dietz Shelly Diez Karl Dutczak Diamond Evans Tennie Fannin Lyndsay Fogarty Gerald Fridley Jeanette Gallego Joseph Gardner Linda Garvin-Manzonelli Karen Goldman Jackie Gonzalez Rosa Gonzalez Meadow Good Ashley Griffin Lillian Grimes Scott Guimond Victor Gutierrez Jr. Charles and Lenore Hammack Greta Hayward Danielle Head Meghan Hedrick Zaim Hirani Douglas Hoeksema Liz Hotopp Liz Howe Kristine Howland
Ora-Monet Hughes Susan Hutto Aaron Imeson Andrea Infantino Edward and Diana Isola Armon & Candace Jadidian Ed Jezisek Melisa Johnson Jordan Jones Traci Jones Wayne Kalish Sheila Kaminsky Jay Keating Kathleen Kirby Luana Kutz Kinsey Lallathin Kayla Lane Scott Lara Karen Lary Jascinth Lawrence Charlotte Leavitt Thomas Leavitt Rodney Lee Nick Leo Kevin Lindeman Joan Ellen Listowski Stacy Luna Tamara Mackroy Summer Manning Marlisa Marlow
Elese Mathis Lynette Maynard Carolyn McCreery Tywanna McGee Faye Merritt Van Messer Vivien Monaco Jim Moody Catherine Moore Emerson Moreno Chance Morrow Maxine Moul Micky Myrick Penelope Newton Allison O’Baker C. Stuart O’Hara Karen O’Keefe Neil and Joan Okun Jody Olson Rosario Ortigao Paul Papazis Amanda Perla Walter Pianta Brittany Pilcher Donna Pope Zaida Ramirez Cristina Resto Kevin Reynolds Liza Riedel Alicia Riggins
Jocelyn Rivera-Lewis Nicholas Rizzo Bill Rodriguez Mildred Roldan Rhona Rombro Richard Rome Anthony Rosato Rebecca Rose Robin Rountree Charles Roux Chad Roy Maxine Ruddock Maria Ruiz Gonzalo Santiago Michael Schwartz Jody Seltzer Concepcion Senas Dixie Slater Mellissa Slover-Athey Betty Smith Lynne Speroni Cheryl Stone Joe Terranova Tara Tobias Paul Tomaino Stephanie Trefry Raydel Valcarcel Jonathan Vargas-Rodriguez Theresa Vitale Timothy Wata Rawley Wharton
Melissa Whitehead Patricia Wolfenden Betty Wooldridge Kay Yeuell
CIL ANNUAL REPORT 2021 | 23
Corporation Foundation Donors and
Advent Health TD Bank All-In Construction Services The Joe & Sarah Galloway Altrusa International, Inc. of Foundation Orlando-Winter Park The Lee Foundation Amazon Smile Foundation Boyd Foundation CKS Masonry & Concrete Inc. Diebel Legacy Fund at Central Florida Foundation Disney Ferran Services & Contracting, Inc. George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation GOBA- Women’s Alliance Group Harper Family Foundation iVenture James T. Barnes Foundation KMI International Knights of Columbus #12402 Konica Minolta Land Title Professionals Orlando Health Publix Super Market Charities Regions Rotary Club of Casselberry Rotary Club of Winter Park Seni St. Margaret Mary Church State of Florida, Department of Eduction/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
2020-2021
Assets
n e
Ex
Summary
p
Financial
s e s
Current Assets (net)........................... $401,728 Property and Equipment (net)..... $298,527 Total Assets.................................... $700,255
Liabilities & Net Assets
Liabilities..................................................... $103,892 Net Assets................................................ $596,363 Total Liabilities & Net Assets...... $700,255
87% 8% 5%
Program Administrative Fundraising
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Creating opportunities for disability inclusion.
Proudly serving Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, and DeSoto counties. 720 N. Denning Dr. Winter Park, FL 32789 407-623-1070 info@cilorlando.org www.cilorlando.org Lakeland: 863-413-2722