Sandy Recovery Program will continue the work of Portlight Strategies and help meet the home accessibility needs of New Jerseyans with disabilities
Edison, NJ, July 21, 2014 – The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $140,000 grant from the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund. The funding will be used to continue the Sandy Recovery Program previously administered by Portlight Strategies. The program provides financial assistance for home accessibility equipment, funding for the replacement of durable medical equipment and supplies, as well as counseling and referral services to disabled residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Portlight Strategies’ Sue Pniewski, will join ACI as the Sandy Recovery Program Project Director and continue her work out of The Visitation Relief Center in Brick, New Jersey.
In response to the $140,000 grant award Carole Tonks, Executive Director of The Alliance Center for Independence said, “We’re so excited to be taking over this program. It’s vital to the recovery of so many people in our community, and having Sue join us as Project Director will ensure a smooth transition, and continuity of services for our clients.”
“I’m very pleased that Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund continues to recognize the huge unmet need for home accessibility after Sandy‐affected homes are raised. These funds will enable seniors and people with disabilities to live safely in their rebuilt and raised homes,” said Sue Pniewski, Sandy Recovery Program Project Director.
The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund is a non‐profit organization founded and chaired by First Lady Mary Pat Christie to aid and assist in the long‐term recovery efforts of New Jersey. The First Lady’s Fund has raised $40 million since the storm, and distributed nearly $34 million in support of Sandy programs focused on housing, mental health, social services, economic development and education. More than 100 non‐profit organizations have received funding from the Relief Fund including Portlight Strategies and now ACI.
The $140,000 grant award will allow ACI to continue assisting eligible residents impacted by Sandy through approximately Feb 28, 2015. Residents interested in learning more about the services offered by ACI’s Sandy Recovery Program are encouraged to call: ###
Media Contact: Carole Tonks
(732) 738‐4388 ctonks@adacil.org
