Events & Activities

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Women’s Club of Evanston has generously granted Center for Independent Futures the opportunity to partner with Tier 1 to offer self-defense classes in our office for our community. We will learn and practice strategies for staying safe.

Please call Jeff Morthorst with any concerns at 224-545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

Women’s Club of Evanston has generously granted Center for Independent Futures the opportunity to partner with Tier 1 to offer self-defense classes in our office for our community. We will learn and practice strategies for staying safe.

Please call Jeff Morthorst with any concerns at 224-545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

Gather with other Center for Independent Futures participants to watch a new movie each month! Facilitator Jeff Morthorst supports activities members to vote on the next month’s film. We are open to viewing a wide range of genres.

Enrollment is limited to 20 people.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Join us in watching and discussing Japanese animated productions called Anime. Facilitator and Anime enthusiast Sheila Serota supports the group in choosing which series will be viewed.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

Women’s Club of Evanston has generously granted Center for Independent Futures the opportunity to partner with Tier 1 to offer self-defense classes in our office for our community. We will learn and practice strategies for staying safe.

Please call Jeff Morthorst with any concerns at 224-545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

Women’s Club of Evanston has generously granted Center for Independent Futures the opportunity to partner with Tier 1 to offer self-defense classes in our office for our community. We will learn and practice strategies for staying safe.

Please call Jeff Morthorst with any concerns at 224-545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

We will meet at the front doors of the arena. The game starts at 8:00 PM. Please bring money for any food, beverages, or anything else you’d like to purchase.

Enrollment is limited to 20 people.

Join us to bowl two games at Classic Bowl in Morton Grove. Attendees must bring $7.50 in cash for shoes and/or lane fees.

Please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925 if you need support getting to and from the bowling alley.

Please note: The bowling alley management has told us that the price of bowling will increase, but they do not know what that price increase will be. The regular price for bowling is $15, and we currently pay $7.50.

Enrollment is limited to 14 people.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Have questions about what our police officers do, how they do it, or what goes on in the non-public areas of the police station? Take an officer-led tour of the Evanston Police Station with us! We will meet in the lobby, just inside the front doors.

Enrollment is limited to 13 people.

Chill and chat with Center for Independent Futures community and staff members.

Enrollment is limited to 30 people.

Women’s Club of Evanston has generously granted Center for Independent Futures the opportunity to partner with Tier 1 to offer self-defense classes in our office for our community. We will learn and practice strategies for staying safe.

Please call Jeff Morthorst with any concerns at 224-545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

Women’s Club of Evanston has generously granted Center for Independent Futures the opportunity to partner with Tier 1 to offer self-defense classes in our office for our community. We will learn and practice strategies for staying safe.

Please call Jeff Morthorst with any concerns at 224-545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

HeARTwords is a creative writing workshop facilitated by Joe Jackson and Paul Fields. HeARTwords is a safe space to express your emotions, thoughts, stories, etc. in a variety of formats. Be the ART. A playground for the mind, a sanctuary for the heart.

Enrollment is limited to 25 people.

Please note: The group will not meet in January.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Center for Independent Futures would like to invite you to our Community Safety Workshop. During this workshop, individuals with disabilities and their families will learn about how to safely interact with police and other first responders in our community.

With Crisis Intervention Trainers, a representative from Evanston Police Department, and Second City Improv artists, this training will offer safety strategies and hands-on learning opportunities.

Nora & Bruce Handler, our Crisis Intervention trainers, and the Evanston Police will lead a conversation about how to be safe in our community. The Second City Improv artists will lead the audience through interactive role play improv scenarios to demonstrate the dos and don’ts of community safety.

We will host two sessions of this workshop on Thursday, February 13, 2020. The first session will be from 12:00-2:00. 

Seating is limited, so don’t wait to RSVP!

Center for Independent Futures would like to invite you to our Community Safety Workshop. During this workshop, individuals with disabilities and their families will learn about how to safely interact with police and other first responders in our community.

With Crisis Intervention Trainers, a representative from Evanston Police Department, and Second City Improv artists, this training will offer safety strategies and hands-on learning opportunities.

Nora & Bruce Handler, our Crisis Intervention trainers, and the Evanston Police will lead a conversation about how to be safe in our community. The Second City Improv artists will lead the audience through interactive role play improv scenarios to demonstrate the dos and don’ts of community safety.

We will host two sessions of this workshop on Thursday, February 13, 2020. This session is from 6:00-8:00. 

Seating is limited, so don’t wait to RSVP!

We will meet at the Center for Independent Futures office at 6:30. We will take the 93 bus to the theater. Please be sure to bring bus fare. After the play we will take a ride share (Uber or Lyft) from the theater back to the office. The price of the ride back to the office is included in the registration fee.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

Note: The Ladies Night activities will be moved to the Independent Futures office through the Winter Quarter.

January – We will be making vision boards and crafting to get in the 2020 spirit. Please bring any arts and crafts supplies you want to use and a snack to share with the group.

February – Sock Hop at the office to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Please bring a snack to share with the group.

March – Join us for a PJ party! Feel free to wear or bring your PJs, nail polish, and a snack to share with the group.

Enrollment is limited to 13 people.

Gather with other Center for Independent Futures participants to watch a new movie each month! Facilitator Jeff Morthorst supports activities members to vote on the next month’s film. We are open to viewing a wide range of genres.

Enrollment is limited to 20 people.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Gather with facilitator Joe Jackson to work on projects to benefit individuals in our community and around the world. Joe will communicate the details of each activity to those who have registered for Volunteer Club.

Enrollment is limited to 20 people.

The Center for Independent Futures Advocacy Club’s mission is to speak up and speak out for ourselves and others, learn new skills, and raise awareness about issues affecting the disability community. Join us!

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

Explore your creative side in this art class led by our skilled instructor Hadar Dohn.

Enrollment is limited to 12 people.

Please note: the group will not meet in January and will only meet once in February.

HeARTwords is a creative writing workshop facilitated by Joe Jackson and Paul Fields. HeARTwords is a safe space to express your emotions, thoughts, stories, etc. in a variety of formats. Be the ART. A playground for the mind, a sanctuary for the heart.

Enrollment is limited to 25 people.

Please note: The group will not meet in January.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Join us in watching and discussing Japanese animated productions called Anime. Facilitator and Anime enthusiast Sheila Serota supports the group in choosing which series will be viewed.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the front doors of the arena. The game starts at 1:00 PM. Please bring money for any food, beverages, or anything else you’d like to purchase.

Enrollment is limited to 20 people.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Explore your creative side in this art class led by our skilled instructor Hadar Dohn.

Enrollment is limited to 12 people.

Please note: the group will not meet in January and will only meet once in February.

Chill and chat with Center for Independent Futures community and staff members.

Enrollment is limited to 30 people.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

HeARTwords is a creative writing workshop facilitated by Joe Jackson and Paul Fields. HeARTwords is a safe space to express your emotions, thoughts, stories, etc. in a variety of formats. Be the ART. A playground for the mind, a sanctuary for the heart.

Enrollment is limited to 25 people.

Please note: The group will not meet in January.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Gather with facilitator Joe Jackson to work on projects to benefit individuals in our community and around the world. Joe will communicate the details of each activity to those who have registered for Volunteer Club.

Enrollment is limited to 20 people.

The Center for Independent Futures Advocacy Club’s mission is to speak up and speak out for ourselves and others, learn new skills, and raise awareness about issues affecting the disability community. Join us!

Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

Explore your creative side in this art class led by our skilled instructor Hadar Dohn.

Enrollment is limited to 12 people.

Please note: the group will not meet in January and will only meet once in February.

Note: The Ladies Night activities will be moved to the Independent Futures office through the Winter Quarter.

January – We will be making vision boards and crafting to get in the 2020 spirit. Please bring any arts and crafts supplies you want to use and a snack to share with the group.

February – Sock Hop at the office to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Please bring a snack to share with the group.

March – Join us for a PJ party! Feel free to wear or bring your PJs, nail polish, and a snack to share with the group.

Enrollment is limited to 13 people.

Gather with other Center for Independent Futures participants to watch a new movie each month! Facilitator Jeff Morthorst supports activities members to vote on the next month’s film. We are open to viewing a wide range of genres.

Enrollment is limited to 20 people.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Join us in watching and discussing Japanese animated productions called Anime. Facilitator and Anime enthusiast Sheila Serota supports the group in choosing which series will be viewed.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

HeARTwords is a creative writing workshop facilitated by Joe Jackson and Paul Fields. HeARTwords is a safe space to express your emotions, thoughts, stories, etc. in a variety of formats. Be the ART. A playground for the mind, a sanctuary for the heart.

Enrollment is limited to 25 people.

Please note: The group will not meet in January.

Join us to bowl two games at Classic Bowl in Morton Grove. Attendees must bring $7.50 in cash for shoes and/or lane fees.

Please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925 if you need support getting to and from the bowling alley.

Please note: The bowling alley management has told us that the price of bowling will increase, but they do not know what that price increase will be. The regular price for bowling is $15, and we currently pay $7.50.

Enrollment is limited to 14 people.

Center for Independent Futures community members and their family members are welcome to come to class every week or drop in as their schedules allow. The class is intended to include students with a wide range of abilities.

Please note: We are happy to partner with Evanston Athletic Club to promote this yoga class. All participants in the class will need  to sign Evanston Athletic Club’s liability waiver one week before attending class for the first time. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the classes.

If you have questions, please call Jeff Morthorst at 224-545-3925.

Please Note:  We are happy to be collaborating with Evanston Public Library to offer our Book Club. Library staff are now facilitating the Book Club. Center for Independent Futures staff may not be present at the Book Club gatherings. Volunteers will read aloud to the group. The group will discuss what has been read each week. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please call Jeff at (224) 545-3925.

Enrollment is limited to 15 people.

We will meet at the office and walk based on the weather. If the weather is mild, we will walk for about an hour. If the weather is cold, we will walk to a coffee shop.

Don’t miss all the fun

Please join us at our 14th annual SPARK benefit! Hosted at The Autobarn in Evanston, SPARK provides a beautiful setting for cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, and dancing.

The evening is ignited by the SPARK of the Center for Independent Futures community. Guests don’t just hear about our impact but also witness it in action, from the lively dinner conversation to the packed dance floor at the end of the night. At this event, participants celebrate their own independence and the connections of their community alongside friends, family members, and other supporters. All proceeds from this event, our largest fundraiser of the year, directly contribute to programming, services, and sustainability to support individuals with disabilities and their families to access the skills and opportunities of a full life.

Check-in begins at 6:00

Introducing the Golden Ticket Raffle

Purchase one (or more!) of 150 Golden Tickets for the chance to win your first choice prize from our premier live auction items. Winner need not be present to win. Please add Golden Tickets to your cart on the Golden Ticket product page.

For more information, please email Niki Moe or call (847) 328-2044. To sponsor SPARK, please ask for information regarding sponsorship levels. Purchase early bird tickets online starting February 17th. Ticket prices will rise on March 9th.

Please RSVP by April 10th

Please note: To purchase a table or tickets for participants, please call the office at (847) 328-2044. 

Center for Independent Futures is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. Contact Niki Moe for more information.