Heightened Independence and Progress - hipcil

10/29/2025

Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute and recognition. 💙
We are deeply touched by the thoughtful acknowledgment of Eileen Goff’s legacy and the continued mission of Heightened Independence & Progress. Eileen’s vision of empowering people with disabilities to live and work independently continues to guide everything we do.

During Disability Employment Awareness Month, we proudly honor her memory and reaffirm our commitment to advancing inclusion, opportunity, and independence for all. Thank you Russ Berrie Making A Difference Award for helping us keep her spirit alive and for celebrating the importance of meaningful employment for people with disabilities.

Celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month.💙✨

Eileen Goff dedicated her life to empowering people with disabilities to live and work independently. After decades of advocacy and innovation, she founded Heightened Independence and Progress - hipcil in 1980, a pioneering nonprofit led by and for people with disabilities.

Today, hipcil remains a vital resource in Bergen and Hudson counties, supporting independent living for people with disabilities through employment services, peer mentoring, life skills training, and advocacy. The organization helps individuals reach their goals, secure meaningful employment, and fully participate in their communities.

Though Eileen passed away in 2019, her legacy continues to inspire. This Disability Employment Awareness Month, we celebrate her vision and hip’s ongoing work to ensure every person has the tools and opportunity to live with independence, dignity, and purpose.

Learn more: https://loom.ly/ylvNJlo

10/29/2025

New Jersey was notified by the federal government that if the shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be available on November 1.

SNAP benefits loaded on your Families First EBT card prior to October 31, 2025 will be available for you to use after November 1, 2025. Before going to the grocery store after November 1, we encourage SNAP food assistance recipients to check their account at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling 800-997-3333. If there are SNAP benefits in your NJ FamiliesFirst account, they are available for you to use.

For the most current information, visit www.NJSNAP.GOV.

If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, here are the lists of local food pantries throughout Hudson and Bergen County.

10/28/2025

Huge thanks to bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) for their generosity! One of our HIPCIL members and his son had an amazing time at The Very Hungry Caterpillar show on October 26th, 2025. We love seeing our members enjoy fun family experiences like this!

10/24/2025

We’re moving! 🎉

It is our pleasure to announce that hipcil’s new office will be located at 190 Moore Street, Suite 101, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

Please note that our office will reopen on Monday November 17th, and we can’t wait to see you all then.

Thank you for your patience and continued support during this transition. If you require assistance in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 201-996-9100.

10/24/2025

A huge thank-you to bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) for kindly providing two tickets of our HIPCIL members to enjoy the Hanson concert on October 23! We value bergenPAC’s dedication to making the performing arts accessible and meaningful, allowing our consumers to experience the joy and connection of live entertainment.

Walk up sales available during normal Box Office hours. Walk up sales also available 2 hours prior to all performances and during all shows until the headliner takes the stage.

08/27/2025

A heartfelt thank you to bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) for generously providing tickets for two of our hipcil members to attend the Blackberry Smoke show today, August 27th! We’re grateful to be part of such a meaningful program and truly appreciate the opportunities bergenPAC offers our consumers to experience incredible performances like this one.

SOUTHERN ROCK IS HITTING BERGEN COUNTY!

The boys from Georgia, , are bringing their legendary Rattle, Ramble & Roll Tour to bergenPAC this Wednesday, August 27th!

Get ready for gritty guitars, soulful anthems, and a full-blown rock n' roll revival.

GET TIX: bergenpac.org/events
⚡ UPGRADE: Grab the VIP Experience!

08/27/2025

Congratulations to the following recent winners of our summer calendar raffle! We truly appreciate your support of our efforts. We can't wait to have you all participate again next year!

8/25/25- Carla Martineau Ticket #: 1308 $25.00
8/26/25- Gloria Lieberstein Ticket #: 1297 $25.00
8/27/25- Carl Arnold Ticket #: 1025 $25.00
8/28/25- Lorena Kos Ticket #: 1274 $25.00

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
8/29/25-Nancy Mazza Ticket #: 1067 $250.00

08/15/2025

Congratulations to these recent winners of our summer calendar raffle! 5 more winners to go! Thank you to everyone who supported hipcil by buying raffle tickets!

8/18/25 Lori Gillooly Ticket #1491 $30
8/19/25 Lori Gillooly Ticket #1492 $25
8/20/25 Joan Martorella Ticket #1311 $50
8/21/25 Warren Williams Ticket #1449 $25
8/22/25 Alan Gold Ticket #1211 $30

08/08/2025

Congratulations to these recent winners of our summer calendar raffle!

7/28/25 Karen-Mae Ferolino Ticket #1175 $25
7/29/25 William Fellinger Ticket #1172 $75
7/30/25 Michael Melignano Ticket #1495 $35
7/31/25 Danielle Ciccone Ticket #1097 $50
8/1/25 Stella Fellinger Ticket #1179 $25
8/4/25 Soraida Delancy Ticket #1534 $50
8/5/25 Lottie Esteban Ticket #1158 $30
8/6/25 Alex Esteban Ticket #1157 $25
8/7/25 Lori Gillooly Ticket #1494 $30
8/8/25 Annette & Tim Gibbard Ticket #1576 $25
8/11/25 Nancy Mazza Ticket #1067 $25
8/12/25 Jeremiah Poll Ticket #1540 $50
8/13/25 Carla Martineau Ticket #1307 $30
8/14/25 Michael Melignano Ticket #1495 $25
8/15/25 Arlene Hodgman Ticket #1233 $50

07/29/2025

As the ADA turns 35, the fight continues.

Nancy Jensen believes she’d still be living in an abusive group home if it wasn’t shut down in 2004 with the help of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, which for decades has received federal money to look out for Americans with disabilities. Federal dollars pay for much of their work, inclu...

07/22/2025

Congratulations to these recent winners of our summer calendar raffle! Many more winners to follow!

7/14/25 Joseph Molee Ticket #1426 $25
7/15/25 Roselyn Altman Ticket #1014 $30
7/16/25 Richard Lotterman Ticket #1461 $25
7/17/25 Danielle Ciccone Ticket #1097 $50
7/18/25 Tuesday Lyles Ticket #1512 $25
7/21/25 Thomas Bodenburg Ticket #1063 $25
7/22/25 Elsie O’Neill Ticket #1350 $75
7/23/25 Katherine Gabry Ticket #1199 $35
7/24/25 Carol Dass Ticket #1130 $25
7/25/25 Marcella Pinkney Ticket #1351 $30

07/22/2025

Thank you so much to the bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) for providing tickets for 2 of our hipcil members to attend the upcoming Purple Rain Prince tribute performance on 7/25! It's such a wonderful program and we're truly grateful to be part of it.

This 2025 Classic Albums Live Prince’s Purple Rain will take centerstage this summer as the Classic Albums Live Tribute Show makes its way to Englewood, New Jersey! On Friday, July 25, the band is slated to recreate the groundbreaking album in its entirety. Purple Rain has been deemed as one of ...