By jmeddy on 5/20/2013 1:38 PM

Center for Independent Futures (CIF) today received the GuideStar Exchange Seal, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability provided by GuideStar USA, Inc., the premier source of nonprofit information. The Seal demonstrates to Center for Independent Futures’ vast support-base our deep commitment to nonprofit transparency and accountability.

"We have worked hard to showcase our progress toward our mission, and our long-held belief in being transparent about our work, to our constituents," said Jane Doyle, CIF’s Executive Director. "As a GuideStar Exchange member, we use their platform to share a wealth of up-to-date information about our work to our supporters and GuideStar's immense online audience of nonprofits, grantmakers, individual donors, and the media."

In order to be awarded the GuideStar Exchange Seal, Center for Independent Futures had to fill out every required field of our nonprofit report page on www.guidestar.org, including our annual report, photos, videos, etc.

"I encourage you to check out our profile on GuideStar to see what we're all about," added Ms. Doyle. "We are engaged in exciting initiatives, and we are thrilled to have another platform for communicating our advancement and progress."

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By jmeddy on 5/13/2013 6:16 PM

CIF’s Dream Team has been gearing up for second MB Financial Bike the Drive on Sunday, May 26th. Beginning at 7 am, bikers representing CIF’s Dream Team will join thousands of other bikers to bike up to 30 miles on Lakeshore Drive.

We have set a lofty goal for CIF and would love your support! You can:

Become a Dream Team Rider! Consider joining in on the ride on Sunady, May 26th. Visit our website to get additional information on how to become a CIF Dream Team Rider.
 

Make a donation to the entire team. If you'd like to support the entire CIF team with a gift, click this link!

Find a rider on our website and make them feel special by donating to their fundraising page. Riders are working really hard to get donations, and they would be delighted to know you are out there supporting their efforts.

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By jmeddy on 5/9/2013 8:13 PM

The Awards Committee of The Arc of Illinois presented Center for Independent Futures (CIF) with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award during the The Arc of Illinois Annual Convention in April. The Distinguished Service Award acknowledges an organization that offers an exemplary, unique, and innovative program resulting in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieving full participation in the life of the community. This award is presented to an organization whose services are a model of excellence to others in promoting inclusive environments.

"I know of no better choice for this award then to this decade old parent-established and run organization," said Brian Rubin, President of The Arc of Illinois. "Center for Independent Futures is a truly unique organization that thinks outside of the box. I personally know many families who simply were "lost" in the Illinois maze of adult services... whose family member, if you will, was falling through the cracks, until they found CIF," added Rubin. "Especially in this year with our convention theme 'living a full life' there is no better recipient of this award than Center for Independent Futures."

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By jmeddy on 5/9/2013 6:34 PM

Center for Independent Future’s Volunteer Club brings together CIF participants and older adults to engage in volunteer projects. This month, a group of fifteen volunteers gathered at CIF’s new office space to give back to the community by creating spring and summer themed placemats for a local soup kitchen.

To make the placemats, volunteers used bright colors, fun stickers, decals of sunshine and flowers, and lots and lots of creativity! By the end of the project, volunteers had worked together to create over 40 fun placemats to brighten the day of those in need.

Read more and check out the photos...

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By jmeddy on 4/29/2013 3:50 PM

Tellin’ Tales Theatre celebrates its annual benefit gala with Fashion Forward: A Mixed-Abilities Fashion Show, 7 p.m. on May 18th at the National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted Street, Chicago. Attend this lavish event to enjoy light bites and raise a signature cocktail to toast Tellin’ Tales achievement of honoring artists of all shapes, sizes and abilities. Browse the irresistible wares at a Live and Silent Auction. The evening will include a gorgeous fashion show featuring attire by local designers, custom made for models with and without disabilities. Ticket prices are $50 per person in advance / $60 at the door. Tickets are now available at tellintales.org.

Never before has Chicago hosted an event of this kind!  You will be witness to fashion history in the making. In addition, there will be a screening of a documentary about the making of the fashion show, funded with the support of the 3Arts Foundation. Chicago designers include Sandie Yi, Leslie Swanson, Catherine Doll and Diane Hamm, and the documentary will be directed by Julie Harris. Alana Wallace of Dance Detour will take the stage as the event's gracious emcee. Click here to download an event flyer.

Watch a video with Tellin' Tales Artistic Director, Tekki Lomnicki, describing more about this incredible event!

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By jmeddy on 4/26/2013 11:32 AM

An unforgettable evening was had by all who celebrated with Center for Independent Futures at its seventh annual Spark gala at the Galleria Marchetti in Chicago on April 19, 2013. Over 400 guests attended the event, all of whom enjoyed a delicious plated dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles, desserts galore, coffee bar, and live music from the band Underwater People.

“Each year this event gets better and bigger. What a fabulous evening and for such a good cause,” sstates Jan Walch, Development Manager.  CIF is pleased to report an increase in revenues from 2012, brought in through generous sponsors, advertisers, individual donors, the live and silent auctions, and raffles.

"It is so wonderful to see CIF’s program participants, their families and friends all enjoying the event. We make sure that the auction and raffles have something for everyone and that all are able to participate,” says Jan. “And the band is fantastic with our audience. We have booked Underwater People for several years now and everybody loves them. They play music that all ages enjoy dancing to, and always welcome a few of our program participants who love to sing.”

There were two new highlights to this year’s event. First, CIF entered the technology age and had all auction bidding done electronically via cell phones. It was fabulous! Bidding was so much easier and people participated more because they never had to leave their seat to bid. The system notified them when they were outbid and with a click of a button on their phone, their new bid was in.

There is no doubt that we made more money on our auction than ever before because of the electronic bidding,” states event co-chair Kirstin Dorsch. Auctions by Cellular went out of their way to help us get started on our first electronic bidding, they worked with our organization and event and tailored it to the needs of our audience.”

Read more and check out the event photos...

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By jmeddy on 4/16/2013 11:15 AM

CIF’s Dream Team has been gearing up for second MB Financial Bike the Drive on Sunday, May 26th. Beginning at 7 am, bikers representing CIF’s Dream Team will join thousands of other bikers to bike up to 30 miles on Lakeshore Drive. MB Financial Bike the Drive is the one day of the year when the length of Lake Shore Drive is open to cyclists and closed to auto traffic. CIF is one of the event’s Charity Partners program, and the Dream Team is excited about the opportunity.

The Dream Team’s bikers have committed not only to participating in the Bike the Drive event, but also to raising funds for Center for Independent Futures. Last year, the team raised over $7,500 for the first year of this event! Everyone did an outstanding job at raising money and promoting community awareness about CIF and people with disabilities.

Bikers are just beginning to set up their fundraising pages for the race, so you can go to the Dream Team fundraising homepage where you can chose a rider from the drop down menu on the left side of the page to donate to – they will each have their own fundraising pages. Be sure to leave your rider a motivational comment! Please help our Dream Team Riders reach their personal fundraising goals and show them how much we all appreciate what they are doing to support CIF's participants and programs.

How can you support CIF's Dream Team?

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By jmeddy on 4/5/2013 7:59 AM

It’s almost here! In two weeks CIF will once again host its signature SPARK fundraiser. On Friday, April 19th at Chicago’s Galleria Marchetti from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m., family, friends and supporters of CIF will be enjoying a sparkling evening of delicious food, open bar, live and silent auction with some unique and interesting items, and dancing with live music performed by the Underwater People. “Each year this event gets better and bigger. What a fabulous evening and for such a good cause” stated a Spark guest.

“We are so fortunate to have so many people who look forward to attending the event every year,” states Jan Walch, development manager for CIF. “And this year we have increased our sponsorships and ads, and received some extremely generous donations on beverages from Deuces and The Diamond Club and desserts from David Burke and the Wolff Group.”

CIF is also grateful to the following 2013 Spark Sponsors: 

Platinium	Silver	Bronze
	Kay Castle-Brinker & Family Lafferty Foundation Matt & Ben Palmore Suzanne & Jim Kenney	Arthur J. Gallagher First Bank and Trust Steve Lobacz, MD Teresa Nuccio & Associates, P.C.

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By jmeddy on 4/2/2013 11:28 AM

Make sure you place the Spring Community Day on Central Street on your calendar now so this great opportunity for Center for Independent Futures does not pass you by. What could be simpler, You do the shopping and errands you already plan to do and you help CIF get the much needed funds to continue the work that you already support.

A little planning on your part means big $$$$$ for CIF!

Plan ahead for these and more upcoming purchases:
· Birthday Gifts for young and old!
· Home Décor Items/Rugs and Antiques that will bring that special designer look to your home!
· Wedding Gifts for those upcoming summer weddings!
· Spring Clothes for you and your children!
· Spring Garden Ideas and an Arrangement to brighten the day of someone special!
· Learn a New Hobby!
· Get that Yearly Eye Exam out of the way or some Fashion Forward Glasses/Sunglasses!
· Know someone that has a new baby on the way, Shower Gifts!
· Want to spice up your meals? Great Spices and Specialty Olive Oils!
· Nothing says spring like a New Hairstyle!
· Get rid of the winter blues with some Healthy Lifestyle Recommendations and Supplements!
· Your favorite furry friend needs a new Spring Collar and Leash. They always need Food as well!

How many more reasons do you need to get out to Spring Community Day on Central Street April 27th and support CIF?

Read on for even more reasons....

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By jmeddy on 3/26/2013 9:43 AM

Center for Independent Futures' Volunteer Club brings together CIF participants and older adults to engage in volunteer projects. This month, thirteen volunteers gathered at our community space to give back to the shelter animals at Evanston’s municipal Animal Shelter on Oakton Street.

This month’s donation went to Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.). C.A.R.E. is an all volunteer organization that works in conjunction with Evanston's municipal Animal Shelter to find homes for the unwanted and abandoned animals that are brought to the shelter. Volunteers worked on three projects. We braided fabric scraps to create tug toys for dogs, decorated ping pong balls for cats to play with, and wrote letters of appreciation to the C.A.R.E. volunteers.

Read more and see our photos...

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