Center for Independent Futures

Whatever type of craft you love, Craft & Chat has a place for you! 🧶

It’s a space to create and build community one project at a time. We love to see what you're working on!

Happy Pride Month!!! 🌈

We're proud to celebrate our participants following their passions and expressing themselves through their drag troupe, True Colors!! 💖

True Colors was formed by two fabulous young adults out to prove that disabilities shouldn’t stop anybody from achieving their dreams!

It's an absolute delight to watch them all command the stage!

We’re hiring a Program Manager! 🤩

This role plays a key part in building meaningful relationships with participants and families, supporting and mentoring direct service staff, assisting with onboarding and training, and helping ensure our life skills coaching team is prepared and supported.

What you'll bring:
🔹 Bachelor’s degree in a related field
🔹 5+ years of experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
🔹 Leadership, mentoring, and management experience
🔹 Strong communication and relationship-building skills

If you're passionate about person-centered direct services and want to make a meaningful impact, learn more about the position here: https://independentfutures.com/careers/

Each month, our Community Builders plan an outing with supportive housing options participants based on their interests. Needless to say, the Wolves hockey game was a huge hit among these sports fans! 🏒

Our Coffee and Conversations activity started their morning at a local breakfast spot!

The coffees were iced, and the conversations made for the perfect start to the day. ☕ 🌞

We’re excited to share our latest community art project! 🎨

Our Art Club partnered with Art Encounter to help brighten our office windows for the summer season. Over several weeks, participants carefully planned and painted original abstract designs filled with unique colors and patterns.

The finished display is now up and will remain for about two months. If you’re in Downtown Evanston, we’d love for you to stop by and take a look!

Thank you to everyone involved for bringing so much creativity and joy to our space. 🩷

Our fundraiser at Emporium arcade was a success!!!

Thank you for everyone who came or donated! Your support makes a huge impact and we are so appreciative. ❤️

We’re hiring a Program Manager!! 🎉

This role plays a key part in sustaining and strengthening CIF’s direct services by building meaningful relationships with participants and families, supporting, mentoring, onboarding, and training staff, serving as a trusted community advocate, and providing one-on-one life skills coaching.

What you’ll bring:

- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- 5+ years of IDD support experience
- Leadership and mentoring experience
- Strong communication skills and a person-centered approach

If you’re passionate about people-centered direct services and want to contribute to a meaningful cause, learn more about the position here: https://independentfutures.com/careers/ 💫

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!! 🔥You DON'T want to miss our FUNdraiser at The Logan Square Emporium Arcade!!!

Your ticket gets you:
🎟️ Two drink tickets!
🪙 Game tokens!
⭐️ A FUN-filled night that helps power more independent, connected lives!!!

Get your tickets today!! https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-001C000001X3g2NIAR/events/vevt:fa2e9f68-cc72-46a2-9fd3-a446e9fdb50b/home/story

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there! 💐

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Joanie Ducayet, who has been a valued part of our team since 2021. As a mom to a CIF participant, Joanie brings so much heart and dedication to our community. She volunteers her time leading and supporting activities like:

1. Cooking Club
2. Craft & Chat
3. Sports Chat
4. Tuesday and Friday Walking Club

We’re so grateful for everything you do, Joanie. Your positivity makes a meaningful difference in our community, and we truly appreciate having you as part of it!! 🤗