MyCIL Center For Independent Living

🏈 Join Us for the Nittany Lion Summer Impact Football Camp!🏈

Get ready for an unforgettable day of football, friendship, and fun!

On Saturday, July 11, participants will have the unique opportunity to work alongside Penn State Nittany Lion Football players in an inclusive, supportive environment designed to build confidence, teamwork, and new skills.

✨ What to Expect:
* Football skills and activities with Penn State players
* Opportunities to make new friends
* Group photos with players
* Autograph session
* A fun and welcoming experience for all participants

📍 Where: Riverfront Sports
5 W. Olive St., Scranton, PA 18508

🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

💙 Supported by MyCIL Transitional Skills Center staff, this free event brings together athletes, mentors, and community members to create a memorable experience focused on inclusion, encouragement, and achievement.

📲 Registration is FREE! Click the link to register. https://thefivestarheartprojectco.regfox.com/nittany-lion-summer-impact-camp-2026-mycil

The link above is for the inclusive event only.

We are sad to announce that one of our long time board members, Tim Gaynord, passed away over the weekend.

Tim served on the MyCIL board for many years and was an important part of the BOD providing his support and insight.

He will be missed by us and so many more. Tim was a cherished family member, community member and friend.

We send our love, prayers and strength to his family.

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Timothy P. Gaynord Obituary

Timothy P. Gaynord, 44, of West Scranton passed away Sunday May 31, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family after a lifelong courageous battle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of Thomas Gaynord Jr. and Lisa Yanni Gaynord. He was a graduate of West Scranton High School; Class of 2000 and he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Colorado Northwestern Community College.

Active in the community, Tim was on the Board of Directors of the Center for Independent Living, a representative for Quantum Eye Level Power Chairs, and he worked with students from Commonwealth Medical School.

An avid sports fan, Tim rooted for the Pittsburgh Pirates, NY Giants, Notre Dame Football, and Duke Basketball. A skilled poker player, he had a passion for playing Texas Hold’em and participated in numerous tournaments locally and in Atlantic City.

Tim was the kindest, sweetest, most gentle soul anyone could ever meet; he never uttered a complaint. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Tim’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jay Bannon, Dr. Michael Moore, Dr. Donald Preate, Dr. Patrick Connors, and nurse Debi Ord for their excellent, kind and compassionate care through the years.

Also surviving are aunts Ann Marie Yanni, Scranton; Maria Farley, Orefield; Uncle Dr. Anthony Yanni and wife Karen, Scranton; Uncle Bill Gaynord and wife Lisa, Scranton; maternal grandmother Palma Yanni; godsons Willian Van Wert and Vincent Farley; several cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by brother Tommy Gaynord III; maternal grandfather Pasquale “Pat” Yanni; paternal grandparents, Thomas and Vera Farrell Gaynord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10am at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton. Interment will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery.
Family and friends may pay their respects Wednesday from 9 am until time of Mass in the church. To celebrate Tim’s life, all are invited to wear a touch of green, his favorite color and a symbol of joy he brought to all of us. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, or donor’s favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., Scranton.

TSC explored the Community Connections IDD Transition Resource Fair at the Viewmont mall!
Thank you to our friends at Lackawanna Susquehanna Intellectual Disabilities- Behavioral Health - Early Intervention in partnership with L/S Regional Collaborative and The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania!

Be sure to visit MyCIL on Saturday at the Disability Resource Fair!

TSC created individual sensory jars as an exercise in person-centered practices. Expressing who they are and what they want, making decisions, managing resources, and taking the lead in choice while following the guidelines of a workplace. Strong as ourselves, and better together!

May is Autism Acceptance month! As we move into June it's a time to reflect on how awareness differs from acceptance.

Awareness: "I know Autism exists."
Acceptance: "I respect, support, and include autistic people in my community."

Autism acceptance demands inclusion, accommodation, and the celebration of neurodiversity. It requires society to adapt its spaces so autistic individuals can belong, participate, and receive the support they need and community they deserve. Which makes our neighborhoods and networks vibrant and stronger.

Never forget...

Fine motor skills flourish in the kitchen. Packaging access practice, cut and peeling skills, design and decorating for dessert, wrap and storage- we make it happen. Increased self-reliance unlocks culture and tradition, practical maths, nutrients, person-centered choice, and the world.

A safe place to make a mistake or try something new lets curiosity and patience grow from sustained attention. The ultimate confidence boost that comes with flavor!

The power of "hello" makes a difference and small talk isn't small! Minor interactions with coworkers, neighbors, former classmates, and acquaintances are our "weak ties". But these ties aren't so weak! They're packed with information and opportunity- proven through over 50 years of research as effective ways to connect with new job opportunities and enrichment.

Another reason why we value and prioritize community learning experiences at TSC.

When we step outside of our inner circle, we get the chance to connect to new and diverse groups of people who may even have a common interest that we can't find in our core group. It's also a great way to combat loneliness and feel included!

Belonging to a community through becoming a regular is proven to make us happier! TSC practiced joining social clubs that network via personal interest. Next they took on challenges as new teams rotating leaders, listeners, and learners of a brand new squad. 👏🏽👷🏼‍♀️👨🏻‍🔧👩🏾‍🏫 🙌🏻