Holiday Toy Drive - Benefitting DCP&P

📆 From now until Thursday, December 12, 2024
🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ

The Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club of Edison are joining Team Rudd as they host their annual Holiday Toy Drive!

This is the eleventh year Team Rudd has done the drive, and every year they work with the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly DYFS) to distribute the toys to children in need.

What to Donate:

  • New, unwrapped toys for ages 0-21

  • Books, games, and educational materials

  • Gift cards for older kids

  • Visit their Amazon Wish List for more ideas

If you would like to contribute, please drop off all unwrapped donations to ACI by Thursday, December 12, 2024.

For questions or concerns, please email teamruddtoydrive@gmail.com

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella.

All Hands on Hair - Beauty Beyond Barriers

📆 Wednesday, December 4, 11, and 18, 2024
⌚ 4:00 to 5:30 PM
🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ

A three-part workshop series taught by a professional hair stylist!

First Class: Experience - December 4th

  • What interested you in becoming a hair stylist?

  • Where did you go to school?

  • Different choices of school (Skin, Nail, Makeup)

  • Pros and cons of the job

  • Cost of schooling

  • How much money can a hairdresser make?

Second Class: Demonstration - December 11th

  • Safety of hot tools and how to properly use them

  • How to do simple braids (on mannequin)

  • Helpful techniques you have learned

Third Class: Spa Hang Out - December 18th

  • Movie

  • Spa night

  • Face masks, nails, etc.

If rescheduled due to inclement weather, you will be notified via email.

If you have any questions, please contact Ron Lake at rlake@adacil.org

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Workshop.

Women's Peer Support Group

📆 First Thursday of Every Month
⌚ 3:00 to 6:00 PM
🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ

Join us for our next meeting of our NEW monthly Women’s Peer Support Group on the first Thursday of every month at ACI!

Facilitated by Tia Washington, ACI Employment Specialist, our Women's Peer Support Group gives ladies the opportunity to interact with their peers, ask questions, and further seek information for areas in their lives they would like to improve and/or learn about. The purpose of the group is to provide a place where they feel they can fit in, express themselves, and feel safe.

Topics include social skills, making friends, hygiene, cooking, and other living skills.

Light refreshments will be served.

This group is for women with disabilities.

If you have any questions, please contact Tia Washington at twashington@adacil.org or 732-738-4388.

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Peer Support.

Talk and Walk Peer Group (ON BREAK)

📆 Fourth Thursday of Every Month
⌚ 10:30 to 11:30 AM
🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ

Join your friends at ACI for our Talk and Walk Peer Group! We will be holding these peer group meetings during a leisurely walk on the accessible Greenway Path, located 2 blocks from our office. This is an opportunity to get out of our Zoom boxes and enjoy the outdoors while learning, laughing and sharing!

Please bring water/drink and wear sneakers/comfortable shoes and comfortable warm temperature clothing. Feel free to bring your own sunscreen and/or hat.

Limited to 8 participants.

If you have any questions, please contact Luke Koppisch at lkoppisch@adacil.org or 732-738-4388.

NOTE: Our Talk and Walk Peer Group is currently on a break and will resume in Spring 2025.

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health, Peer Support.

Core Advisory Group (CAG)

📆 Third Monday of Every Month
⌚ 1:00 to 2:30 PM (Date/times are subject to change)
🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ
📞 Dial-in #: 605-313-4179 (Access #: 700-387)

Middlesex and Union Core Advisory Groups (CAG) have joined forces!

Are you a disabled and a resident of Middlesex or Union County? Are you concerned about disasters and recovery?

A disaster can happen at any time! This is a great opportunity to work together with emergency managers to make effective changes in how emergency services are provided to people with disabilities and access and functional needs in Middlesex and Union Counties.

Come and join our next hybrid CAG meeting on Monday, November 18th for Sheltering in Place/Survival Tips, presented by Eric Martin, Middlesex County C.E.R.T. Coordinator and Training and Operations. Eric will be presenting information on sheltering in place in the event of a power grid emergency. While this meeting will be offered on Zoom, we request that you try to come in person as part of the meeting will be taking place outside. We look forward to seeing you then!

Light refreshments will be served.

The purpose of this group is to...

  • Promote inclusive emergency management by encouraging collaboration and partnership between community disability stakeholder and emergency managers.

  • Identify emergency management challenges facing people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs before, during and after a disaster.

  • Develop strategies to build resilience in the disability community.

The Middlesex County CAG was formed in 2015 and was the first CAG in New Jersey.

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Emergency Preparedness.

Community Living Skills

📆 ⌚ Date/times will be announced soon!
🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison NJ

For DDD - Community Based Supports Consumers only.

ACI is currently accepting new participants for our Community Living Skills program. This 10 session program is designed to teach people with disabilities independent living skills.

Topics will include:

  • Disability Identity

  • Self-Advocacy

  • Self-Care

  • Housing

  • Budgeting and Finance

  • Healthy Relationships

  • Transportation

  • Time Management

Limited to 10 participants.

For more information, contact Luke Koppisch at lkoppisch@adacil.org

Community Living Skills was developed by the University of Montana's The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities with input from Centers for Independent Living.

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Independent Living, Workshop.

Living My Best Life

🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ
🎂 For ages 21 to 35 years old

Living My Best Life is a comprehensive life skills workshop series that benefits those who desire to expand their comfort zones through learning and doing a variety of everyday activities!

LMBL will also include guest presenters, trips in the community, plus fun group and individual activities. Participants will use limited reading and writing skills in their daily planners and will practice social skills during lunchtimes. This series will culminate in a special celebratory dinner event planned, prepared, and enjoyed by the participants and special guests on the final day.

Graduates of LMBL will continue to attend monthly meetings for social activities and work on their goals with their planners.

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Workshop, Independent Living.

ACI Parent Support Group

📆 Fourth Tuesday of Every Month
⌚ 5:30 to 7:30 PM
🗺️ ACI, 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ

When like-minded people come together to share their thoughts, concerns and experiences, there is a sense of community. ACI is inviting parents and loved ones of adults with disabilities (ages 18+) to join us on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Feel free to bring something to share!

Registration is required. Limited to 18 participants. Masks are optional.

If you have any questions, please contact Victoria Romanienko at vromanienko@adacil.org

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Peer Support.