ACI Partners with Rutgers University for National Endowment for the Arts Grant

We are proud to have partnered with Rutgers University-Newark on this grant and looking forward to bringing Axis Dance Company to NJ in November 2015!

Rutgers University-Newark Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant

Source: Axis Dance Company

Newark, New Jersey - National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Chu announced this week, that Rutgers University is one of 919 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. Rutgers is recommended for a $20,000 grant to support the presentation of the Lula Washington Dance Theater and Axis Dance Company as entries in the Dance Symposium Series mounted by the Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience, Rutgers University-Newark. The Series marks its tenth anniversary in 2015.

The Institute will present The Lula Washington Dance Theatre (Los Angeles) at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's Victoria Theater on February 26, 2015, in conjunction with the 35th annual Marion Thompson Wright Lecture Series on February 21. Lula and company members will also teach a master class for junior and senior students in the dance program at Newark's Arts High School. In November 2015, Axis Dance Company (Oakland), in partnership with the Alliance Center for Independence, a community-based organization that supports independent living for people with disabilities, and the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, will explore perceptions of disability and its relationship to dance through physically integrated community dance classes and a performance at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.

NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, "I'm pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to Rutgers University. The arts foster value, connection, creativity and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives."

“We at the Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience are thrilled to receive this support from the NEA,” said Institute Associate Director Mark Krasovic. “We believe that the arts – in all their creative and critical rigor – have an essential role to play in cultivating a more livable city and world. This generous grant will help put this belief into action.”

Art Works grants support the creation of art, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,474 eligible applications under the Art Works category, requesting more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 919 are recommended for grants for a total of $26.6 million.

For more information about the Dance Symposium Series at Rutgers University-Newark, visit the Institute’s website at ethnicity.rutgers.edu, and follow us on our social media platforms; Facebook: IECME, Twitter: @49Bleeker, and Instagram: IECME.

ACI Winter Fundraiser

For our winter fundraiser, ACI will be selling $1.00 snowballs to be hung (with your name) on the ACI snowman or our office window! So if you are in the area, feel free to stop in and buy some snowballs! Can't get to the office? Buy your snowballs through our PayPal account and we will hang them for you! All proceeds go directly to support our programs.

What Events Would You Like to See in 2015?

As we quickly approach a new year, ACI would like to ask our wonderful consumers for valuable input on some of the upcoming events in 2015! Please kindly check off which events you prefer in the list below!

ACI awarded grants from PSE&G and OVW

ACI was awarded a grant from PSE&G to continue our ongoing workshops on disaster preparedness. Our first workshop will be held at the Arc of Union County. If you would like to schedule a workshop, please contact ACI. Many thanks to PSE&G for supporting our efforts to prepare people with disabilities for emergencies.

ACI and their partner, the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment (formerly the Rape Crisis Intervention Center), were awarded a 3-year federal grant from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to offer training and services on ending violence against women with disabilities. We are excited to continue working on this important issue and look forward to collaborating on this project.

We've expanded our office space!

View fullsize

We are excited to finally acquire a new and much needed conference room! This conference room will be able to accommodate our expanding programs and workshops. We also have a small kitchenette which will be used to teach independent living skills.

During this time of giving, we ask that you consider purchasing items that we still need from our Amazon Wish List. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated!

We are also happy to make the new conference room available to nearby organizations for a small fee. Please contact Carole Tonks for information.

ACI Provides Power Wheelchair for Sandy Victim, Gail Johnson

View fullsize

Gail Johnson is one of the many people with disabilities affected by Superstorm Sandy. Johnson, an elderly woman, has a disability which severely limits her mobility. As a result, she requires a wheelchair to get around her home.

Johnson was given a manual wheelchair in February of 2014. Because of her disability it was still difficult for her to maneuver and enjoy the benefits of independent living. Through the collaborative efforts of the Visitation Relief Center (VRC), Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) and Catholic Charities Disaster Response Program, Gail has received a power wheelchair.
 
The wheelchair, which has a 22-inch seat and adjustable arms, was obtained by Susan Pniewski, ACI Sandy Relief Project Director, one of VRC’s many partners. The power chair was transported to Johnson’s home in a box truck, which had been contracted through Catholic Charities Disaster Response Program. It was delivered to Johnson on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

View fullsize

 “The wheelchair will improve her mobility, moving in and out of her home,” Pniewski said. “The [adjustable] arms moving out of the way will make it much easier for her to transfer.”

Pniewski said that ACI will also be awarding Johnson a $2,000 grant towards a platform lift for her home during the rebuilding process. She said that ACI will be awarding these grants to storm-affected members of the community who have disabilities, and that they will continue to offer free replacement of medical equipment.

Pniewski said that Johnson told her in a phone conversation that this was the first time someone told her “I’m going to help you.” When she first saw the power wheelchair, Johnson said, “It’s beautiful!"

We would like to thank The Robin Hood Foundation, Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund and ACI Sandy Relief Project Director, Sue Pniewski for making this possible!

Free Durable Medical Equipment provided by the ACI Sandy Relief Project

ACI offers FREE replacement durable medical equipment including: manual wheelchairs, standard hospital beds, commodes, walkers, canes, crutches, transfer benches and shower chairs. Subject to availability. All equipment is gently used and clean. We offer no warranty.

We also gladly accept donations of used equipment. Please call to make sure we have the ability to receive the equipment. Please note: We prefer that donations be dropped off and equipment picked up at Visitation Relief Center in Brick where we have storage. Transportation for small pieces of equipment may be arranged locally but this is limited.

To request equipment or arrange for a donation, please contact Sue Pniewski, ACI Sandy Relief Project Director, at 732-754-5023 or spniewski@adacil.org.

Funding provided by the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.