By jmeddy on 5/22/2012 12:20 PM

If you have a sibling with a disability, come join other siblings in Chicago for the second annual Sibs in the City, July 20-21, 2012.

Imagine:

• time to relax and network with other adult siblings,
• a fun adventure in the great city of Chicago
• an opportunity to gain valuable insight and information on topics important to you as a sibling.
• the fun and excitement of participating in the Disability Pride Celebration in Chicago

Sibs in the City was created last year as a result of sibling advocates from Wisconsin and Illinois understanding the value of face-to-face networking.  With the Disability Pride Celebration in Chicago, a city brimming with great restaurants, shopping and attractions, and an opportunity to hear Tamar Heller, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago and director of University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities for the State of Illinois, we know you'll have a great experience.

Click here for more information and to register...

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By jmeddy on 5/22/2012 10:42 AM

CIF’s Dream Team has been gearing up for their first MB Financial Bike the Drive on Sunday, May 27th. Beginning at 5:30 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 has recently become one of the first non-profits to form an official team in the event’s Charity Partners program, and the Dream Team is excited about the opportunity.

Read more to find out how you can support our Dream Team...

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By jmeddy on 5/21/2012 10:03 PM

By Sharon Campbell

On April 21, 2012, Center for Independent Futures’ (CIF) participants, families, friends, Board Members and staff attended the Annual Rob Campbell Cubs Outing Memorial Event at Wrigley Field.  The Chicago Cubs donated 200 tickets to Rob's Fun Club so CIF attendees could watch the Chicago Cubs play against the Cincinnati Red Sox. It was a brisk day and excitement ran high. And, most importantly, the Cubbies won!

The Annual Rob Campbell Cubs Outing Memorial Event, CIF’s History Club, attendance at Northwestern University sporting events, and many other CIF educational and social activities are subsidized by the Rob Campbell Fun Club Fund, a fund created in memory of Rob Campbell, a CIF Charter Member.

One of Rob’s greatest joys was the presence of friends to play games with and to go places together. Because people with disabilities often have challenges socializing, Center for Independent Futures and Rob’s Fun Club partnered to provide support, coaching and funding so individuals are able to participate in social and educational activities and enjoy life more fully.

View our photos from the Rob Campbell Cubs Outing Memorial Event...
 

 

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By jmeddy on 5/21/2012 5:31 PM

by Maria Turner

Phil reached into his bag and pulled out a glass jar displaying a label that read “Uncle Phil’s Chili Pop BBQ Sauce” and pictured an image of him wearing a broad smile, a wide brimmed hat and holding a handful of peppers. The headline “Living the Dream” appeared across the top. “Why barbeque sauce?” I asked. “I love cooking, and I wanted to make a new barbeque sauce with my special recipe to market in lots of places,” he replied. “And, I get to be the head man!” he exclaimed.

“Phil’s had this idea for awhile,” explains Michele Gazzolo, Phil’s sister. “He’s a real ‘host’ and he wanted to create something he could offer people, something everyone would enjoy. While our family has always been supportive of Phil, our work with Center for Independent Futures (CIF) helped to ignite our spirits and expand our efforts to help him realize his hopes and dreams,” Michelle says.

Working with his Full Life Future Planning™ (FLFP) Team, Phil was able to take his idea to the next level. CIF supported his vision by helping with the manufacturing, bottling, and sales of Uncle Phil’s BBQ Sauce to the CIF Community.

Before finding CIF, Phil was at a point in life where he wanted and needed to transition to something new. His family was urging him to find a new place to live, because his living situation was unfitting and unsafe. He spent much of his time alone in his apartment and had limited social interaction, mainly with his co-workers. His overall health was a concern due to a heart condition coupled with an unhealthy diet.

Now, Phil lives in a condominium at Sienna garden; one of CIF’s supported Community Living Option™ residences. “When we looked at Sienna Gardens, Phil was instantly excited and we trusted that CIF had the supports in place that were needed for Phil to live in this more independent environment,” explains Michele.

Read More to learn about Phil's new full life...

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By jmeddy on 5/18/2012 8:38 PM

Center for Independent Futures is thrilled to be the 3 o'clock club's May Charity of the Month!  Hot Deals on Restaurants, Salons, Spas and more are posted at 3:00 each day on this family owned and operated site.  The During the month of May, CIF has a page on the 3 o'clock club's website and will be featured in e-communications sent to over 30,000 subscribers!  The e-newsletter features a variety of daily deals for readers living in Chicago and Las Vegas. 

Check out Today's Deals on the 3 o'clock club website.  Sign up to receive the daily alert and then forward the communication to friends so they can take advantage of great deals and you can spread the word about Center for Independent Futures!

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By jmeddy on 5/18/2012 8:15 PM

Linkages is please to announce upcoming events:
 
 

Super Senior And People with Disabilities Event
Friday, May 25 • 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Bernard Horwich JCC Building • 3003 West Touhy Avenue, Chicago

10 a.m. to Noon – First Time applicants for RTA Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Reduced Fare or Ride Free Program

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. – State of Illinois Photo ID/Driver's License Renewal

Building Assets for People with Disabilities on Public Benefits
Thursday, June 14 • 10:30 a.m. to noon
Bernard Horwich JCC Building • 3003 West Touhy Avenue, Chicago
Abby Citrin, Heartland Human Care Services

Benefits Issues for People with Disabilities
Thursday, July 19 • 10:30 a.m. to noon
Bernard Horwich JCC Building • 3003 West Touhy Avenue, Chicago
Sherri Schneider, Family Benefit Solutions

Access Chicago 2012 EXPO for People with Disabilities
Thursday, July 19 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Navy Pier, Festival Hall A
 

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By jmeddy on 5/18/2012 7:35 PM

Center for Independent Futures hosted its sixth annual Spark gala at the Galleria Marchetti in Chicago on April 27, 2012. Nearly 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.

“Each year this event gets better and bigger. What a fabulous evening and for such a good cause” stated a Spark guest. The silent and live auctions featured 92 terrific auction items including Bulls Playoff tickets, a behind-the-scenes tour package of the Shedd Aquarium as well as a “Meet the Penguins” experience, delightful dining experiences, wine tastings, theater and music events around the city, and more. CIF is pleased, and grateful, to report a successful event with revenues brought in through generous sponsors, individual donors, the silent and live auctions, and raffles. An especially exciting highlight of the evening is the money raised during the Live Auction to support future CIF programming.

Check out our event photos…
 

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By jmeddy on 5/15/2012 2:04 PM

This week major behind-the-scenes decisions that will impact state funding for the provision of community-based services and supports for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse disorders may occur.

Members of the House Appropriations - Human Services and Senate Appropriations Committees are participating in closed-door meetings to try and come to a bipartisan agreement on the Department of Human Services FY13 budget, which provides funding for community-based developmental disabilities and mental health grants.

All through this week, we need you to make calls to your Senators and Representatives in Springfield and tell them to COMMIT TO THE COMMUNITY by fully funding community-based developmental disabilities and mental health grants in DHS' budget!

Click this link to log in and make your call.

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By jmeddy on 5/6/2012 4:35 PM

On April 26, 2012, CIF Community Member Josh Weiner received a Life Achievement Award at the annual ARC of Illinois Convention. The award was presented by ARC Board of Director's President, Brian Rubin, in the Regency Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle, Illinois. 

"Too often people look at individuals     with intellectual or developmental disabilities and see only their disabilities...not their capability," said Rubin. "Josh Weiner is being honored today for his abilities and what he as accomplished due to those abilities."

Photo courtesy of The Arc

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