2011 marks the 25th year of Alliance supporting people with disabilities in Union, Middlesex and Somerset counties. We have seen many changes in those 25 years. The most recent and far reaching change is the name of our agency.

In Sept 2010 the Alliance Board of Trustees approved our name change.  We are now known as The Alliance Center for Independence.  This name change reflects our continued commitment to ensure that people with disabilities are given opportunities for an independent life.

Other recent changes include:  new programs such as our theatre group, “the Self Project” which teaches independent living skills to people with visual impairments, and our expanded volunteer program.

We are now offering a variety of classes including; nutrition, job readiness, dating and relationships, crocheting and disability awareness and sensitivity.  The Alliance is working with UMDNJ –RWJ medical school to train first year medical students on health care disability etiquette. And the young adult group continues to provide social opportunities for young people.

While our programs have grown, so has our office. The Alliance has expanded to now include a larger office space and a conference room.

The newly-formed youth advocacy group has recently applied to represent New Jersey as a partner organization of the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN).

As part of their efforts, the youth advocacy group has been the impetus behind the Alliance-sponsored Disabilities Pride Parade. This state-wide Disability Pride Parade, the first ever on the east coast, will take place in Trenton on October 6. The Parade will celebrate our diversity, unity and accomplishments, as well as to generate visibility of the disability community. www.NJDisabilityPrideParade.com

The Alliance continues to make contributions to its community, while promoting the spirit of volunteerism.  A fund raising event for Haiti, a walkathon for Pakistan flood victims, planting 25 trees on Arbor Day at a local park, and organizing a community health fair with UMDNJ-RWJ medical school are just a few examples.

Each year at our annual meeting, the Alliance membership votes in members of the board of trustees. In 2010, the Alliance was happy to welcome Michael Rogers, and James Dickson.  Mike has been an active volunteer of the Alliance, co-facilitator of the fund raising committee and theater group.  Mike represents our continued efforts to recruit additional members who have a youth perspective. Jim is vice president of the American Association of Persons with Disabilities (AAPD) and has a wealth of experience organizing people with disabilities to make systems change. Jim’s expertise is in voter education and gets out the vote efforts.   We look forward to their continued contributions.

In the past 2 years our paid membership has almost doubled, a testament to the fact that the Alliance offers innovative programs and services based on the input the community we support.

Thank you to our members for making us keep it real. Welcome to the New Alliance!

Carole Tonks

Executive Director