By jmeddy on 9/26/2011 7:33 AM

Come join CIF and cheer for our Bank of America Chicago Marathon Team on October 9th.  The cheer station will be located at "Charity Block Party," which is just past Mile 14 on the course.  Beginning at 7:30 a.m., look for Team CIF fans on Adams Street between Loomis and Laflin, near Whitney Young High School. 

The cheering squad will be wearing gold t-shirts and standing under the Center for Independent Futures tent.  We'll have water, coffee and snacks to share with those who come out to cheer on our team.  Family, friends and supporters of Team CIF are all welcome to join us!

Down load a Charity Block Party Map and Transportation Map here.

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By jmeddy on 9/13/2011 5:17 PM

Since February of 2010, all ten members of Team CIF have been preparing and training intensely to run 26.2 miles in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2011.  The 2011 team members include Megan Baer (CIF Staff), Michael Baer (CIF Community Builder), Dan Broughton, Keith Burns, Patrick Dillon (CIF Auxiliary Board member), Danny Herrera, Fernando Herrera, Bridgid Miller, Samuel Pera , and Haresh Sapra.

Some of these dedicated individuals have run with Team CIF before, while others have signed on for the first time. CIF is very grateful to each of these runners for their dedication and commitment to physical fitness in support of our organization.

Read more to learn about our runner's commitment...

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By jmeddy on 9/11/2011 2:58 PM

Siblings of children who have special needs are encouraged to attend a Sibshop on October 1, 2011 at Friendship United Methodist Church, 305 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL.

Sibshops are recreational workshops that offer support, discussion, and peer interaction for brothers and sisters of children who have special needs. These dynamic events allow children to make friends, learn more about disabilities, and share their experiences. Interactive games and discussions encourage the participants to have fun while obtaining peer support.
 

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By jmeddy on 9/10/2011 9:01 PM

Be sure to mark your calendar for the 8th annual Something’s Cooking event to be held on Sunday, November 6 th from 3 – 6 pm at Prairie Moon in Evanston. You won’t want to miss this tasty fall fundraiser featuring the best of Evanston fare. Taste mouth-watering dishes from local restaurants, enjoy refreshing beverages from the bar, and bid on fun foodie auction items.

Tickets will be available soon so watch our website and your email for more information.  If you have any questions or participating restaurant recommendations, please contact Jan at 847.328.2044. We hope you can join us for Something’s Cooking in November!
 

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By jmeddy on 9/10/2011 8:15 PM

With only two weeks until Center for Independent Futures (CIF) hosts Story Pirates, excitement is building at CIF and in the community for this one-of-a-kind children’s theater fundraising event!  Nine young authors have written stories that will be performed by the nationally renowned Story Pirates at matinee performances at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, IL. 

Space is limited, so we strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets online now!

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By jmeddy on 9/5/2011 10:20 AM

In mid-August, CIF staff and participants had an opportunity to volunteer at FEW Spirits, a local craft distillery producing whiskey and gin. Some CIF volunteers filled empty bottles with white whiskey, corked them and applied labels to the front and back of each bottle. (Look for Batch 7 in your local liquor store!) Others prepared boxes for shipping. It was a smooth operation and everyone enjoyed being a part of a small, local, boutique business that makes such a specialized product.

 

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By jmeddy on 9/1/2011 1:53 PM

Center for Independent Futures (CIF) participant Elise Hylton knows how to dream…and dream big!  The daughter of CIF co-founder Kay Branz, Elise has been making art "as long as [she] can remember."  During her work with CIF’s Full Life Future Planning process and her Independent Living Skills Tutors, Elise identified a goal to turn her interest in and talent for creating art into a means to provide funds to make one of her biggest Hopes and Dreams possible.

Planning and determination, along with some support from CIF staff, close friend and CIF supporter, Leah Feldman, and the organization Arts of Life, has helped Elise to achieve her goal!  Elise will be the featured artist in a solo exhibit at Spex, 2000 Central Street, Evanston, IL, 60201 (located on the corner of Central Street and Prairie Avenue).  The exhibit opens with a reception on September 8th from 5 – 8 p.m. All CIF community members and the general public are invited to attend the opening and enjoy Elise's artwork. The exhibit will remain up through October 7th.  (Download an event flyer.)

Read more to find out Elise's biggest Hope and Dream...
 

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