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Annual Angels by the Bay Gala
Who: Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL)
What: Annual Angels by the Bay Gala
Where: Meadow Club in Fairfax
Why: All proceeds from Angels by the Bay directly fund MCIL programs and services assisting aging adults and people with all types of disabilities so they can continue living independently (age in place) in their home.
How: This year the Angels by the Bay gala raised over $400,000. Over the past 10 years, MCIL has raised over 14 million dollars through private donations, special events, government, state and county grants, private and public foundation awards, local business support, stock donations, bequests etc.
About MCIL:
The Marin Center for Independent Living, founded by a group of dedicated volunteers in 1979, has been serving older adults and individuals with disabilities in Marin for over 38 years. MCIL’s mission is to assist persons with all types of disabling conditions in achieving their maximum level of sustainable independence as contributing, responsible and equal participants in society. Keeping people living in the community, in their homes instead of being institutionalized, is a centerpiece of these efforts. Our services and community resources provide a critical safety net to individuals living independently and to those regaining their independence after a severe illness, age related disability or life altering accident.
The Berkeley Center for Independent Living is the first of all CIL’s. There are 28 Center for Independent Living across California, over 500 nationally and approximately 1200 internationally. All are independently operated and all are funded differently.
MCIL services include benefits counseling, housing referral, individual advocacy, assistive technology, medical equipment recycling and referral, home modifications and community outreach. The nursing home/hospital transition assistance program, independent living skills instructions, caregiver registry, including the web-based caregiver Registry, Quickmatch, have proven highly beneficial in promoting the independent living goals of the consumers. MCIL is a one stop shop for wrap-around that enable folks to age in place, safely and with dignity. MCIL also serves women and men with breast cancer through the Breast Cancer Advocacy Project and has the largest breast cancer program in the county.
Want to help?
There is a “Get Involved” tab on the MCIL website with a phone number so people interested in volunteering call reach out to a real person. Because the volunteer needs are constantly changing, MCIL is not specific about volunteer opportunities on the website.
Photos by: Mo DeLong
