Are you ready to be a STAR? Do you speak a language other than English or Spanish? If so, ACI needs you! Come on down and audition to be in ACI's upcoming PSA on COVID-19 vaccines! Just fill out the form at the link below!
Family Fun Day
On June 25th, ACI and guests celebrated our Family Fun Day! ACI partnered up with the Middlesex County Health Department and was able to give over 20 families COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. We had a special guest, Elina, come out and paint the faces of all our guests! Spider-Man also made a grand appearance and even danced the Cha Cha Slide with us! We had many games to play and lots of food and fun!
Join us for ACI's Family Fun Day this Saturday!
The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) will present Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 25th. The event will take place at 635 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ, behind St. Paul the Apostle Senior Housing. Rain date: July 9th 2022.
Family Fun Day is open to the public and geared towards people with disabilities and their families.
Free COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots will be provided by the Middlesex County Health Department. St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick will be on hand to distribute free COVID-19 kits. The event will also feature small games, prizes, ice cream and a food truck.
“The purpose of this event is to highlight the importance of getting vaccinated while providing a fun day for people with disabilities and their families.” says Carole Tonks, Executive Director of ACI.
Participants who receive a vaccine or booster and complete a vaccine survey at the event will receive a free $25 ShopRite gift card and a ticket for free ice cream.
“We know many people in our community have not been vaccinated. We wanted this event to reach those that don’t traditionally seek our services, including individuals with disabilities whose primary language is Spanish.” said Kim Garcia, ACI’s Public Health Program Coordinator and one of the interpreters at the event.
Family Fun Day is made possible through a grant from the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities Center.
For more information, contact Kim Garcia at 732-738-4388 ex. 123 or kgarcia@adacil.org
Stay Informed About the COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters
ACI is here to help keep you safe and get you vaccinated!
Get in contact with us if…
You are in need of a COVID-19 vaccine or booster
You need assistance with reliable transportation to and from your appointment
You are in need of locating places to get vaccinated or are undecided
If any of those apply to you, then please fill out the form below or contact Kim Garcia at kgarcia@adacil.org or 732-738-4388 ext 123.
Learn About Gardening with ACI and the Rutgers Accessible Garden!
The Rutgers Universal Accessible Garden is partnering with people with disabilities and organizations, including the Alliance Center for Independence, to grow your own food in our community garden. Individuals who participate will commit to attending their community plot, planting, growing, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
They would do this in partnership with ACI. This is a great opportunity to develop your gardening skills, socialize with other like-minded individuals, while learning. We need committed people to sign up! You are responsible for your transportation.
If you are interested in being part of this free program, please reach out to Carole Tonks at ctonks@adacil.org
ACI and Guests Celebrate the Grand Opening of the ACI CommUnity Market!
On April 7th, ACI and guests celebrated the grand opening of the ACI CommUnity Market! Attendees included many of our supporters, consumers, and donors. The event included a tour of the new market and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Speeches were given by Edison Township Mayor Sam Joshi, Edison Council President Joseph Coyle, and Vice President Joyce Ship-Freeman, Director of Replenish Jennifer Apostol, Lori Neuhauser from Guaranteed Rate Mortgage, and market consumer Eulanda Brooks. Thank you to all who helped make this day a success! Thank you to all who helped make this day a success!
Be sure to watch the ACI CommUnity Market grand opening ceremony, courtesy of Edison TV!
ACI CommUnity Market Grand Opening
The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) is happy to announce the grand opening of its reimagined food pantry, the ACI CommUnity Market!
Join Edison Mayor, Sam Joshi, members of the Edison Township Council, and other supporters on Thursday, April 7th for the ribbon cutting ceremony! This in-person event will take place at 629 Amboy Ave (S & P Building) Suite 110, Edison, NJ 08837 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Since 2016, ACI’s food pantry has assisted hundreds of low-income individuals with disabilities and their families. Demand for our food pantry increased tremendously throughout the COVID-19 crisis. “During the pandemic, we shut down the office and staff worked at home, but we kept our food pantry doors open,” said Carole Tonks, Executive Director of ACI. “There was a need in the community and it was important for us to meet that need.”
The CommUnity Market concept will feature consumer choice and customer service while expanding our assistance to disabled individuals and their families facing food insecurity. Staff will also help individuals apply for SNAP and make referrals to social service organizations and other food pantries in the area. The CommUnity Market will also offer training to individuals with disabilities interested in working in the retail business.
The ACI CommUnity Market is 501(c)(3) not-for-profit serving Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties and is supported by PSE&G, Unity Bank, REPLENISH of Middlesex County, Guarantee Rate, and individual donors.
