Progressive Center for Independent Living NJ

09/02/2025

🧠 September is Su***de Prevention Month — a powerful reminder that mental health support matters.

That’s why we’re excited to share a new opportunity through our Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant:

➡️ FREE Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for professionals and organizations in Mercer and Hunterdon County, NJ.

This nationally recognized training helps you:
✅ Spot early signs of a mental health or substance use challenge
✅ Respond with confidence
✅ Connect individuals to the right resources
✅ Promote safe, inclusive communities

💡 Who qualifies?
✔️ First Responders
✔️ Healthcare Workers
✔️ Social Workers
✔️ Teachers & School Staff
✔️ Municipal Employees
✔️ Disability Service Providers

📍 Available virtually or in-person for groups of 5–30

📄 Accommodations available (like large print manuals!)

Let’s work together to make mental health support more accessible in our NJ communities.

👉 Learn more & request a training: www.pcil.org/free-mhfa

***dePreventionMonth

08/31/2025

🌟 SEPTEMBER IS HERE! 🌟
Wow, August certainly flew by! Be sure to check out all our upcoming events this September and be sure to register before their deadlines!

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Su***de Prevention
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 9 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 8
Learn about su***de prevention strategies.

🧡 Mercer Community Connections: Annual Picnic
📍Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ
🗓️ September 15 | ⏰ 11:00 AM - 2 PM
💲$10 per member $15 per non-member | RSVP by September 8
Enjoy food and fun at the park together with friends!

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Desert Island
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 16 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 15
Learn about being prepared for emergencies.

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Stress Toolbox
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 23 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 22
Learn how to build a toolbox to combat stress.

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Navigating Boundaries
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 30 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 29
Learn about setting boundaries with others.

www.pcil.org/events | 609-581-4500

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08/29/2025

⚾️ In August we hosted our Annual Softball Game!

The game may have ended early due to rain, but the smiles, high-fives, and grilled food were a home run at our Annual Softball Game at Miracle League Field!

Inclusive community events like this create space for everyone to participate, connect, and enjoy—regardless of ability. That’s what it’s all about. 💙

📸 Swipe through the highlights, tag someone you recognize, and don’t miss our next Recreation Event: the Annual Picnic—coming soon!

08/26/2025

🦎 Peek the fun from Hunterdon County's R.E.C.C. Peer Group Event: “Reptiles Alive”! 🐢

We had a roarin’ good time exploring and learning about reptiles—turtles, snakes, and more—in a friendly, accessible space. These events aren’t just about the excitement—they’re about forming connections, building confidence, and celebrating inclusive community.

Peer groups like R.E.C.C. are powerful. Through shared experiences and exploration, they help people with disabilities feel understood, supported, and empowered—no pressure, just possibility.

💭 Thinking about joining?
👉 Tag that friend you want to invite to the next R.E.C.C. event!

Stay tuned for more events in Hunterdon and Mercer County—check out www.pcil.org/events for updates.

08/25/2025

🌸 A beautiful evening of creativity and connection!
Our Life Through Different Lenses Peer Group recently gathered for a flower pressing workshop, and the results were as vibrant as the conversations.

Peer groups like this give people with disabilities a chance to connect, create, and support one another in a space that’s inclusive, welcoming, and just plain fun. Whether you come for the activity or the company—you’ll leave with something meaningful.

📅 Ready to join us next time? Check out our upcoming events at www.pcil.org/events

💬 Tag a friend you would want to attend the next peer group event with!

08/24/2025

🌟 OUR SEPTEMBER EVENTS AT A GLANCE 🌟

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Su***de Prevention
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 9 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 8
Learn about su***de prevention strategies.

🧡 Mercer Community Connections: Annual Picnic
📍Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ
🗓️ September 15 | ⏰ 11:00 AM - 2 PM
💲$10 per member $15 per non-member | RSVP by September 8
Enjoy food and fun at the park together with friends!

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Desert Island
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 16 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 15
Learn about being prepared for emergencies.

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Stress Toolbox
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 23 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 22
Learn how to build a toolbox to combat stress.

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Navigating Boundaries
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 30 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 29
Learn about setting boundaries with others.

www.pcil.org/events | 609-581-4500

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08/21/2025

📰 The latest from PCIL is here!

Check out our Summer 2025 Newsletter - now available to read online!
Topics include information on Register Ready, Resources to Know, Consumer Stories and more!

This quarterly publication is written in collaboration between the staff of the Progressive Center for Independent Living and the Mercer County Office on Aging/Aging & Disability Resource Connection.

Catch up on community highlights, upcoming events, advocacy efforts, and resources that support people with disabilities in Mercer and Hunterdon County.

📬 Want the news delivered to your door?
Sign up for a printed copy of our quarterly newsletter and never miss an update from the Progressive Center for Independent Living.

📲 Read the latest issue and sign up here:
🔗 https://www.pcil.org/newsletter

08/20/2025

🎉 Welcome to our newest Board Member, Richard Hood! 🎉

Richard brings lived experience, deep passion for self-advocacy, and a strong commitment to disability rights to the Progressive Center for Independent Living. A Hamilton Township native and proud alumnus of Rider University, Richard has been an active part of PCIL’s community—especially through our Life Through Different Lenses peer group.

He’s excited to use his voice to strengthen outreach, expand self-advocacy opportunities, and support others on their independent living journeys across Mercer and Hunterdon County, NJ.

Oh—and if you were wondering about the certificate in the photo, it’s from a previous advocacy program. These days, Richard says PCIL is his top priority. He’s already making us laugh—and making a difference.

💬 Please join us in welcoming Richard to the PCIL Board of Directors!

08/19/2025

🌟 Meet Raven: Redefining What’s Possible 🌟

From overcoming medical expectations to embracing independence, Raven’s story is one of strength, resilience, and the power of support.

She shares her journey with cerebral palsy, the challenges she’s faced, and how PCIL’s services—like Support Coordination, Independent Living, and peer groups—have helped her grow and thrive in New Jersey.

🧡 If you need a dose of inspiration, this is it.
👉 Read Raven’s story on our blog:
🔗 https://www.pcil.org/post/ravens-story-of-cerebral-palsy-support-coordination-in-nj

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, Raven De Vine was once told she would never grow beyond the mental capacity of a toddler. Today, she’s a college student, gym regular, and disability advocate who continues to push boundaries and rewrite what’s possible. In this inspiring story, Raven ...

08/18/2025

🌟 OUR UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE 🌟

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Flower Pressing
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ August 19 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by August 18
Get creative and make something beautiful with our peer support group.

🧡 R.E.C.C. of Hunterdon: Reptiles Alive
📍Echo Hill Park, Flemington, NJ
🗓️ August 21 | ⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM
💲$5 per person | Tickets due by August 14
Meet turtles, snakes & more in this live animal experience!

🧡 Mercer Community Connections: Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Concert
📍Mercer County Festival Grounds, West Windsor, NJ
🗓️ August 22 | ⏰ 6:30–9:30 PM
💲$5 per person | RSVP by August 18
Enjoy the music under the stars with friends and family!
📞 Space is limited—register today!

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Su***de Prevention
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 9 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 8
Learn about su***de prevention strategies.

🧡 Mercer Community Connections: Annual Picnic
📍Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ
🗓️ September 15 | ⏰ 11:00 AM - 2 PM
💲$10 per member $15 per non-member | RSVP by September 8
Enjoy food and fun at the park together with friends!

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Desert Island
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 16 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 15
Learn about being prepared for emergencies.

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Stress Toolbox
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 23 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 22
Learn how to build a toolbox to combat stress.

🧡 LTDL Peer Group: Navigating Boundaries
📍PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
🗓️ September 30 | ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Free event | Registration due by September 29
Learn about setting boundaries with others.

www.pcil.org/events | 609-581-4500

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08/16/2025

📬 Don’t miss a thing at PCIL!

Want to stay in the loop on upcoming events, programs, peer groups, and all things disability inclusion in Mercer and Hunterdon County?

Sign up for our quarterly newsletter—available in print or digital format—and be the first to hear what’s happening at the Progressive Center for Independent Living!

🎉 Event announcements
📰 Program updates
📣 Community highlights
💡 Tips and resources for independent living
👉 Sign up or browse past issues here:
🔗 https://www.pcil.org/pcil-printed-newsletter-archives

08/15/2025

📣 We’re hiring!
The Progressive Center for Independent Living is looking for a dedicated, compassionate individual to join our team as a Support Coordinator—with the flexibility to be part-time or full-time based on your availability.

In this role, you’ll help individuals with disabilities in Mercer and Hunterdon County connect with services, navigate DDD supports, and build lives rooted in independence and choice.

✅ Flexible hours
✅ Meaningful work
✅ Supportive, mission-driven team

If you’re ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Apply now or share with someone who’d be a great fit.
📍 Visit Indeed.com or call 609-581-4500 for more info.