By jmeddy on 5/25/2011 8:53 PM

The Silbing Support Network, an organization for adult siblings of individuals with disabilities, is sponsoring the first gathering of Illinois and Wisconsin siblings at SIBs in the City in Chicago on July 22 - 23, 2011.  The event provides opportunities for networking, education, fun and excitement.  Attendees may choose to participate in activities including a conversation with Linda Sandman MSC, LCSW, and Clinical Director of the Developmental Disabilities Family Clinic at University of Illinois Institute on Disability and Human Development, the Disability Pride Parade and Disability Celebration following the parade.

Check out these event details and register today... 

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By jmeddy on 5/25/2011 8:48 PM

Recently, one of CIF's partner organizations, JJs List, was featured in a segment on ABC7 Chicago.  "We had a blast when Karen Meyer, along with the crew from ABC7, paid a visit to our JJ's List office," said JJs List founder, JJ Hanley.  "From there, the crew headed over to Whole Foods in Evanston where JJ's List volunteer Ira works."

Its great to see JJs List taking disability-awareness to the airwaves! 

Click here to get the full story...

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By jmeddy on 5/24/2011 11:05 AM

During the past few months, Center for Independent Futures made great strides toward its dream of opening “CIF Cafe,” a shared space for the CIF Community.  On April 15, CIF was awarded a Designs for Dignity grant for full architectural design services for its 930 Chicago Avenue Community Room.  Later that night, thousands of dollars were raised in the Spark Live Auction to support the implementation of this new project.

Plans are underway to kick off renovations of the 930 Chicago Avenue space in the fall of 2011.  The CIF Cafe will serve as a multi-purpose area for socializing, tutoring on daily living skills, cooking items (such as Goldy’s Biscuits), utilizing a computer bar for employment skill-building and job searching, meeting with staff and families, and more.  CIF is extremely grateful for the generous donations that make this dream a reality!

It’s not too late to make a contribution to support CIF Cafe!  Contact Jan Walch at 847.328.2044 for more information!

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By jmeddy on 5/11/2011 10:56 AM

At 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 16, the Community for All Coalition will be a holding a cross-disability rally at the Capitol in Springfield to "Save the Safety Net" and stand up against the proposed cuts to community-based services that keep people with disabilities and seniors from being institutionalized.  Join us to help stop the attacks on community-based services and preserve community living for all people with disabilities!  Please help spread the word about this rally.

The rally is at 2:30 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.  Please plan to arrive earlier to visit with your legislators.  You are encouraged to make an appointment or come prepared with notes to pull your legislators off the chamber floors, as they will most likely be in session that day.  A fact sheet has been developed by Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois for use during legislative visits, with information about the proposed FY2012 budget cuts to programs that serve people with physical and developmental disabilities, people with mental illnesses, and seniors. The handout and other information will be distributed at the Capitol Building's west side accessible entrance throughout the day.

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By jmeddy on 5/9/2011 3:20 PM

CIF is excited to announce our 4th annual Life Tools Camp!  Life Tools Camp is designed to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to gain first-hand independent living experience.  This year, two weeks of camp will be offered: Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15th and Monday, August 1st – Friday, August 5th. Both camps will be held in Evanston and overnight options are available. 

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By jmeddy on 5/4/2011 12:31 PM

Center for Independent Futures hosted its fifth annual Spark gala at the Galleria Marchetti in Chicago on April 15, 2011. Over 400 guests attended the event, all of whom enjoyed a delicious plated dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles, a dessert and coffee bar, and live music from the band Underwater People.

CIF is pleased to report a 53% increase in revenues from 2010, brought in through generous sponsors, individual donors, the silent auction and live auctions, and raffles. An especially exciting highlight of the evening is the money raised during the Live Auction to support a new “CIF Café” project, a re-design and renovation of communal space at 930 Chicago Avenue, which has incredible potential.

To view photos from Spark, check out the CIF Photo Gallery!

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