Support ACI through Somerset Patriots Fundraising Voucher Program

This Summer, The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI), is partnering with the Somerset Patriots for their Fundraising Voucher Program! When you purchase an upper box seat voucher, a portion of the proceeds will benefit ACI's recreation programs for people with disabilities.

Each voucher is just $10.00 and can be redeemed at the Patriots box office. Vouchers are good for any 2015 home game (based on availability). Visit somersetpatriots.com/schedule for the schedule.

For more information and to purchase vouchers, please contact Nybil Ghanem at 732-738-4388 ext. 121 or nghanem@adacil.org by Friday, September 11th, 2015.

Middlesex County Chapter of People First NJ Kicks Off with Inaugural Meeting

20 people attended the inaugural meeting of the Middlesex County Area Chapter of People First NJ hosted at ACI on March 20th. Supported by the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD), People First NJ is an effort to involve people with disabilities to advocate on issues that affect them. ACI is proud to part of this effort.

For more information, including how to join the Middlesex Chapter of People First NJ, contact Luke or Nybil at 732-738-4388.

ACI Holds Vigil for Nationwide Day of Mourning

This past Friday, ACI hosted a vigil to honor the lives of disabled people murdered by families and caretakers. The vigil addressed violence against people with disabilities and spoke out against cultural prejudices to send a message that disability is not a justification for violence. Our lives are worth living!

Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Screenings

On March 3rd, ACI once again partnered with St. Peter's University Hospital to provide blood pressure and blood sugar level screenings to the community. 16 people participated in the event, which also included providing information on the risks of high blood pressure and high sugar diets. Thank you to Tara Gunthner, BSN, RN-BC of the hospital's Community Mobile Health Services and Gary Young, Health Technician.

Buy a shamrock for ACI's Shamrock Funraiser! Only $1 each!

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

Coming This Summer! Emergency Preparedness Overnight in Somerset County

ACI along with the Somerset Office of Emergency Management, FEMA and other stakeholders are planning the 2nd Overnight Shelter Simulation to take place in Somerset County this summer. Approximately 50 adults with disabilities will spend the night in a shelter staffed by volunteers from agencies engaged in emergency response operations during a disaster.

The purpose of the exercise is to familiarize disabled members of the community with an overnight shelter experience while providing volunteers who set and staff shelters during a disaster with an opportunity to understand and better assist the needs of individuals with disabilities in a disaster.

Watch for opportunities to take part in this important exercise.

This event is made possible by a grant from PSEG. We are grateful for their support.

ACI's New Program Coordinator, Monica Avisado!

ACI welcomes Monica Avisado from the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment, who will be working with us 2 days a week beginning in this month. ACI and the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment were awarded a 3 year federal grant from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). We look forward to working together on this important issue!