Alliance Center for Independence
On June 5th, students and teachers from Colonia High School attended a workshop on developing advocacy skills, presented by ACI and People First New Jersey. People First is an effort by the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) to engage people with disabilities throughout the state on advocating on issues important to them. ACI is working with advocates to establish a People First New Jersey chapter in Middlesex County.
On Wednesday June 10th, 2015, ACI's Social Recreation Program held a Basil Bowl Potting Class, facilitated by Jean Gall of the Woodbridge Garden Club. Participants had a very hands-on approach to growing basil and learned some interesting basil facts, such as their ability to grow up to 51 inches in height. They also learned the many different varieties, using red worms to improve soil quality and kitchen composting. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
Last month, ACI's Social Recreation Group enjoyed a wonderful theatrical viewing at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. Over a dozen ACI consumers joined us as they watched Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, which was about the never give up attitude of a devoted single mom in present-day New York City, as she fought to survive insomnia all while falling in love with 19th century time traveler Ernest Shackleton, as he and his crew fight to stay alive on a mission to cold Antarctica!
ACI would like to take a moment to thank our interns from Rutgers University who put together several workshops for people with disabilities.
Interns Jinal Patel and Kassandra Soldevilla conducted a series of Zumba and Tai Chi classes during April and May. The classes were provided free of charge to our members as part of ACI's health and wellness program.
We would also like to thank intern Domanique Davison, who presented a workshop on positive thinking and stress management. Participants at her class learned about methods on reducing stress at work and maintaining a positive outlook on life.
This letter is an urgent request for your assistance. We are writing to you as members of the disability community in New Jersey and nearby states, including people with disabilities, parents and family members, professionals and service providers.
Recently, Professor Peter Singer of Princeton University was interviewed on the “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio” Show. The National Council on Disability, which is appointed by and advises the President of the United States on matters of disability policy, issued a press release (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/04232015) expressing profound outrage about Singer’s statements...
10 people, including students from Edison High School, learned about traveling independently using NJ Transit buses and trains at a workshop conducted by the NJ Travel Independence Program (NJTIP). Thank you to Louis Hoffman of NJTIP for his informative presentation.
For more information on NJTIP, please click visit the Rutgers University website.
