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hipcilTALKS Rachel’s Advocacy Journey featuring Rachel Adams Duffy.
Hello everyone, my name is Rachel and I am so glad to be here today. I am speaking for hip the heightened Independence and progress program. It is such an honor to be here sharing my advocating journey with this program today and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity. My hope with sharing this talk is allowing it to be shared to where other individuals see it. Where it shared as a message of appreciation and hopefulness for the future for other people that have disabilities.
I have been an advocate for myself since July of 2018 and my journey started actually because of a phone call. I knew that I wanted to speak to this social worker of a program that I attended after high school. I knew I had it in me to speak up to know that I wanted to talk to her and with that I am myself made the phone call as scary and as nervous as I was to do it, I made that phone call and that’s how my advocating journey began. I’m so beyond proud of that now some of the opportunities that I’ve been given.
I’ve spoken to a school that’s actually located in Oakland New Jersey I spoke for their student transition education program which solely focuses on job employment opportunities getting people’s voices heard out in the community within with the support of people behind them. The sole focus of that program is after before the graduation after the program is over. The sole fact of the program initially is for the individuals themselves to be able to speak up for themselves and advocate for themselves in the best way possible so they get the opportunities that they do deserve which in turn is an incredible thing because I was one of those students that was offered incredible opportunities because of that program and again I’m beyond grateful for that. That program really shaped me for who I am today and I can say if it wasn’t for that program. After I graduated high school I would not be sitting here right now recording this video so I’m very much grateful for that program and for what they offered me and what I was giving.
Lastly, I would like to say that I’m now apart of Access for All for Saddle Brook New Jersey. I would also like to say thank you to this program and for allowing me to come in today speak for hip and their program and organization and it was such an honor to have this opportunity to be here today. Thank you.
AUDIO FORMAT
Welcome to the first hip newsletter of 2023.
Time has been going very fast since we finally had the opportunity to meet in person for our Annual Meeting. We progressed to our very successful and enjoyable Holiday Party where we got the chance to celebrate the holidays while getting together with old friends. Our partnerships with Bergen Volunteers and St. Peter the Apostle Church brought holiday cheer to many and we greeted the New Year with plans for the Bergen and Hudson office staffs to work together to provide a more comprehensive service delivery to all of the people that we serve.
In 2023 we will expand our DDD Support Coordinator program, we’ll continue to meet with our local college programs and work closely with our Age Friendly partners. I’m excited to report that we have welcomed four new members to the Board and we are exploring new ways to serve people with disabilities in our community.
Please reach out to us to share your ideas on www.hipcil.org , follow us on Facebook or just give us a call.
Sincerely,
Brian
hip’s Annual Meeting was held the evening of Wednesday, November 16th at a new location, the Hackensack Recreation Center. It was the first in-person Annual Meeting since 2019 and it was wonderful to see everyone again.
Larry Barr of Barr Karate was the keynote speaker and spoke about his experiences teaching karate to people with disabilities. “Possibilities not disabilities” was the theme of his presentation, which was quite inspiring. After he spoke, several of his students showed off some of the skills they had learned through his teachings.
Brian Fitzgibbons and Marily Gonzalez introduced the staff of both hip offices and reviewed hip’s many accomplishments for 2022.
Some highlights this past year included:
Continuing to make sure consumers know their rights regarding COVID vaccines and boosters
Support coordination has expanded in both offices
Several home modifications and many assistive technology purchases occurred
MTS had new projects with Lincoln Center, including programs for Juilliard and the opera
The Calendar Raffle that took place over the summer was the most successful ever
Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Meeting! All of us at hip are looking forward to a fantastic year.
The Adjustment to Vision Loss program really took off strong by August. Consumers from Bergen and Hudson Counties enjoyed many in-person activities and peer meetings.
The end of year celebration took place on December 16th at the Secaucus Public Library. The Mayor of Secaucus had previously invited Trisha and Barbara to go to a warehouse where they were able to pick up brand-new items from different stores. These items were put into gift bags for all participants and given out at the party. There was even a special visit from Santa Claus and a fantastic time was had by all.
Looking forward to a fun and information-filled 2023!
Roseli Souza joined hip in August 2022 and is excited to assist in enhancing the lives of our consumers. Roseli is a case manager in the Bergen office and has a background in human services. She has always had a desire to help people and contribute to the positive progress of the community. Roseli graduated from William Paterson University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in public health and is currently in graduate school. She has worked with her Ramapo College colleagues to provide information to students about self-advocacy, in addition, she has co-hosted community group discussions on COVID-19’s physical and mental effects. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, arts and crafts, and baking.
Crystal Canas joined hip in November 2022 as the front desk receptionist in the Hudson office. She is a Hudson County resident, born and raised in Jersey City. Crystal is a full-time mom to her 1-year son. Since she was a teenager, she has been helping her family members who have been diagnosed with autism and mental illnesses, which has given her a passion to help others in need. Through her own experiences with her family, it has opened her heart to help as many individuals as she can who are dealing with the same illnesses.
Hiroshi Fuentes joined hip in August of 2022 as a Support Coordinator in the Hudson office. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Hudson County Community College and Rutgers University of Newark, New Jersey. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English literature with a minor in Urban Education. Hiroshi is originally from Guatemala and she considers herself a joyful and caring person. Back in Guatemala, Hiroshi volunteered with a program for people with disabilities. Hiroshi also worked as a teacher assistant in Jersey City with students with disabilities. Since then, she has always wanted to continue working in that field. When she heard about hip and their services, she was interested and delighted to join hip. Hiroshi is excited to learn many skills to help and serve the disability community. In the future, she would like to study speech pathology and help her community with her skills. She loves to travel, learn about other cultures, and live life to the fullest. Hiroshi also enjoys fashion, writing, reading, and painting.
Tennel Watson joined hip in August of 2022 as a Support Coordinator in both the Bergen and Hudson offices. He earned a degree in Accounting from Benedict College Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in Columbia, South Carolina. Tennel has long been interested in helping people and has over 10 years of social work experience. While in college, he helped to rebuild homes when Hurricane Ida affected the area. Tennel is originally from Harlem, New York, and while he’s now a resident of New Jersey, he remains passionate about his community in New York. In the summer, he helps coach youth basketball there.
The Friendship House is introducing a no-cost Dimensions of Wellness Program aimed to help individuals with disabilities to be active in their community post COVID-19. The program will focus on wellness as a whole, including meal planning, group therapy, community outings and more. It will be held Monday-Thursday from 4-7PM starting February 21st. Call Karen Reyes, Program Coordinator at 201-488-2121 ext. 328 or visit https://njfriendshiphouse.org/programs-services/dimensions-of-wellness/
The website is now easier to navigate and includes testimonials from many hip consumers. Check it out at www.hipcil.org and let us know what you think!
hip is partially funded through grants from foundations, as well as the Bergen County Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Services, Hudson County Department of Health & Human Services, NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities, NJ Dept of Human Services Division of Disability Services and the US Dept of Health and Human Services – Administration for Community Living.
hipNews is available as a digital audio file.
The afternoon of Sunday, December 11th was alive with holiday cheer at the first in-person hip Holiday Party in 3 years! Everyone was excited to be back in the ballroom at the DoubleTree Hilton in Fort Lee and celebrate the holidays together.
With snowy weather happening outside, this year’s party began in the festive ballroom with delicious food and even better company. DJ Silvie kept everyone on the dance floor with a mix of Christmas favorites and current dance music. The many gifts donated by multiple area organizations were happily taken home by the winners. Thank you to hip staff member Blajica for spending months collecting these fantastic gifts for our consumers to enjoy.
Lottie Esteban recently retired from the Board of Trustees at hip and was given a bouquet of flowers and a gift for all her hard work over many years of service. Thank you, Lottie!
The 50/50 raffle was one of hip’s biggest ever with 2 winners going home with a 1st prize of $150 and a 2nd prize of $100. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket in support of hip!
In a favorite hip tradition, the party concluded with Christopher Gagliardi singing “White Christmas” and all left the party full of holiday joy.
The “Ride Connect” program is designed to simplify the process by which seniors request transportation when calling Bergen County Community Transportation.
Ride Connect provides Bergen County residents, aged 60 and over, a one-stop travel information and trip planning service, provided by a Mobility Manager, to help seniors find information on available transportation options to senior centers, medical appointments, shopping, etc.
The process is simple. The Community Transportation operator works with the Mobility Manager to help seniors connect with the most accessible, reliable, and affordable option for their transportation needs. Options include County shuttles, EZ Ride, NJ Transit, Access Link (if eligible) and more.
To request this service, call Bergen County Division of Community Transportation, Monday-Friday from 10:30am to 2:00pm at 201-368-5955.
Join us for Bingo, Trivia, Crafts and more!
Hosted by hip via Zoom
Contact Meaghan via phone @ Ext 26 Bergen Office to sign up by 4/1/23
hip’s Financial Director, Natalie Alave, married Domingo Larino on January 13th. Congratulations and lots of love and happiness to the newlyweds!
hip receives many contributions from individuals and the community throughout the year. We thank the following for their recent exceptional generosity:
Bergenfield Lions Club
Caldwell Floral Elegance
Kaplan Foundation
Lottie Esteban and family
Modivcare
Rick Hodgman
River Edge Lions Club
Shapiro Family Foundation
Special Thanks to the parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Church in River Edge and participants of the Bergen Volunteers All Wrapped Up program for their amazing gift-giving generosity to many of our consumers this past holiday season.
Thank you to all who donated door prize gifts for the Holiday Party! Your donations were the highlight of the evening and brought joy to so many.
Acme, Saddle Brook
Al Richard’s Chocolates, Bayonne
Applebee’s Grill & Bar, Hackensack
Art Nails, Saddle Brook
BJ’s Wholesale Club, North Bergen
Bonefish Grill, Paramus
Cornerstone Montclair, Montclair
CVS, Hackensack
Dairy Queen, Saddle Brook
Double Batch Bakery, Bayonne
Eileen Fisher, Secaucus
Genevieve’s Home Made Chocolates, Garfield
Giovanni’s, Bayonne
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Hackensack
J. Crew, Hackensack
Kendra Scott, Short Hills
McCrum’s Bakery, Elmwood Park
Michael Kors, Paramus
Monica’s Restaurant, Pompton Lakes
Pinot’s Palette, Ridgewood
Robert’s Roastery, Bayonne
Simon Styles, Pompton Lakes
Starbucks, Hackensack
Stop & Shop, Hackensack
Trader Joe’s, Paramus
Wawa, Hackensack
Wyckoff Family YMCA, Wyckoff
Need help applying for services related to COVID-19? We are here to help!
Our Core Services
Information and Referral
Advocacy
Peer Support
Transition
Technology Training
Contact:
Roseli Souza at our Bergen County Branch 201-996-9100 ext. 23 rsouza@hipcil.org
Alex Paredes at our Hudson County Branch 201-533-4407 aparedes@hipcil.org
Coming in March
Uber Lessons, Getting Rides, UberEats, Lyft
Creating Emails, Learn BillPay, Social Accounts, FaceTime
Online Shopping, Navigating Websites, Amazon
Caregivers Need Care Too!
Starting in March, Jesse Schwartzman and Tom Browne will be leading a group to support You!
Call the Bergen Office at 201-996-9100 to learn more!
hip’s Facebook page has been very active lately with all kinds of posts including news from the disability community, hip staff and area events! Follow us to stay in the loop!
Placing a credit freeze allows you to restrict access to your credit report. This is important after a data breach or identity theft when someone could use your personal information to apply for new credit accounts. Most creditors look at your credit report before opening a new account. But if you’ve frozen your credit report, creditors can’t access it, and probably won’t approve fraudulent applications.
You have the right to place or lift a credit freeze for free. You can place a freeze on your own credit files and on those of your children aged 16 or younger.
Place a Credit Freeze
Contact each credit reporting agency to place a freeze on your credit report. Each agency accepts freeze requests online, by phone, or by postal mail.
Experian
Online: Experian Freeze Center
Phone: 1-888-397-3742
By mail, write to:
Experian Security Freeze
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Equifax
Online: Equifax Credit Report Services
Phone: 1-800-685-1111
By mail, write to:
Equifax Information Services LLC
PO Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
TransUnion
Online: TransUnion Credit Freezes
Phone: 1-888-909-8872
By mail, write to:
TransUnion LLC
PO Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Innovis
Online: Innovis Freeze Options
Phone: 1-866-712-4546
By mail, write to:
Innovis Consumer Assistance
PO Box 530086
Atlanta, GA 30353-0086
Your credit freeze will go into effect the next business day if you place it online or by phone. If you place the freeze by postal mail, it will be in effect three business days after the credit agency receives your request. A credit freeze does not expire. Unless you lift the credit freeze, it stays in effect.
Lift a Credit Freeze
If you want lenders and other companies to be able to access your credit files again, you will need to lift your credit freeze permanently or temporarily. Contact each credit reporting agency. You’ll use a PIN or password to lift your credit freeze. You can lift your credit freeze as often as you need to, without penalties.
It takes one hour for a lift request to take effect if you place it online or by phone. It can take three business days if you request the lift by mail.
hip is in the process of planning the Anniversary Gala that was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for more information soon and looking forward to seeing everyone there to celebrate over 40 years of hip!
The Housing Authority of Bergen County will be hosting Coffee Breaks throughout 2023 for Program Tenants/Participants who would like to stop in with questions regarding the Housing Choice Voucher Program process.
Feel free to stop in on any of the dates below with questions you’ve been wanting to ask and haven’t had the opportunity to.
May 22
August 28
November 20
The purpose of these sessions is so that HCV Section 8, current and future, participants can ask questions and gain a better understanding of how their voucher and the HCV Section 8 program works.
Join us on any of these dates at 12:30pm-1:30pm. All sessions will be via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 879 4036 5840
Passcode: 820908
Dial In: 929-436-2866 (New York)
Questions? Comments? Contact: info@hacbcnj.org
Karen Acker
Jeanne Aimone
Carol Akridge
Natalie Alave
Roselyn Altman*
Cecelia Aluotto
Ivis Alvarez
Peter Ambrose
Kevin Angelini
Elaine Appellof*
James Arkills
Paul Aronsohn*
Barbara Banta
Deborah Baumann-Dasilva
Annie G. Been*
Gilbert Benson*
Joanna Benthall
Darrell & Tamiko Bethea*
Christine Black
Paula Bloom
Jerry Bojko
Grace Braeske
Gail Braun
Joan & Mike Braun
Kerry Brennan
Mario Brusco
Anna Bures
George & Mildred Bullerdick
Jonathan Burack
Peter Cafone
Daniel Calabrese
Jerry & Brenda Calabrese
Regina Calamanco
Marcelo Carat
Tonielle Cardinalle
Mary Carney
Tom & Susan Carney
Trish Carney*
Peter Cavaliere
Kay Chase*
Celia Chave
Maureen Chatterton
Sonia Cordova-Chumpitaz
Ciccone Family
Lillian Ciufo*
Barbara B. Comerford, Esq.*
Elizabeth Cohen-Hittner
Michael & Marie Cook*
Jim & Jean Csaposs*
Mary Culver
Howard Craig Cutler
Carol Dass*
Joan D’Angelo
Jarrett Dean
Philip Delaney
Michael Delgado
Margaret DeYoung
Anthony Dinaro
James F. Dougherty
Dennis Dusevic
Barbara Dublin*
J. Robert Duffy*
Patricia & Dave Ebel*
Austin Epstein
Lottie Esteban*
Oria Estrada
Barbara Farrell
Francesca Farrell
Genevieve Farrell
William Fellinger and Stella Fellinger*
Reina Fernandez
Karen-Mae Ferolino
Betty Fetzer*
Brian Fitzgibbons*
Virgina Flynn & Warren Williams
Michael Fondacaro
Francine Ford-Smith
Valerie Frink
Katherine Gabry & Family
Geri Galvin
Laurie Galvin
Dorothy Genoni
Eilleen Goff*
Alan Gold
Marily Gonzalez*
Patricia Guy
Mary Jo Hackett
Jeffrey Hamalian
Alice Hamburg
Harries Family
Alfred Harvey
Elizabeth (Bojane) Heap
Eusebia E. Heckel
Susan Hepner
Rhea Hess
Susan Hepner
Richard Hodgman*
Henry Hoff, III
Linda Horvath
Kenel Hyppolite**
Janet Jones
Michelle Jones
Timothy Kerr
Naqui Khouzam
Edwin Kindermann
Clark King
Joan F. Klug*
John Koch*
Lorena & Ana Kos
Adam Krass+
Zoraida Krell
Diana LaForge*
Tammy Lane
Jeanne Laraia
Virginia L. Laughlin
Louise Lee
Sussan Lee
Diane Lennon
Marion Levine
Chili Li*
Gloria Lieberstein*
Judith Liebman
Roy Lippin*
Anita Lisica
Diane Love
Lisa & Jorge Loza
Margaret Lusch
Joyce & Leonard Malech*
Mariana Martinez
Joan Martorella
Gracie & Sophie McCain
Gary McConnell
Gail Frazier McFadden
Joseph D. McGovern
Brian McGrath
McMahon Family
Dora Meler
Ann Melone*
Abby G. Mesce
Dr. Frances Meyer*
Joseph Molee
John J. Mulholland
John Mulholland
Bob & Martha Mulligan
Madeline Murray
Anna P. Navatta+
Morgan Neumann
Yin Ni
Leonard J. Nicolosi, CEO,+
No. Jersey Friendship House, Inc.
Hyacinthe Nkuunziza
Mario & Jorge Olivares
Beatrice Olivetti
Gloria Ortiz
Sonja Noel
Jennyfer Paniagua
Margaret Papageorgioiu
Chris Paraskevacos
Alejandro Paredes
Richard Pietrzak
Marianne Pigoncelli*
Dr. Sandra Pinkerton
Nhevys Pinto
David Popiel
Jennifer Preciado
Mayra Preciado
Anne Marie Predergast
Noel Prussack
Cecelia Ragland
Joseph Revello
Carmen Reyes
Cruz Rodriguez
Richard Rosencrans
Ryan Roy
Beverly & Richard Ryan*
Lucio Sanchez
Mary Sanfilippo
Marie Sawyer
Jesse Schwartzman
Stephanie Seid
Doug Simon
Chandravati Singh
Donn Slonim*
Lynn Smith
Maria Smith
Michael Smith*
Dana Solomon
Jeffrey St. Germain & Family*
John Stanik*
Debra Tester
Mary Thornton
Janet Tolliver
Amanda Trott
Thomas Tuzzio
Angela Tzakis
Danny Vaca
Jane & Joseph Valenti
Marianne Valls
Angelissa Vazquez
Carol Viceconte*
Ron Vida
Anne Burton Walsh*
Paula Webber
Philip & Linda Webster-Cennerazzo*
Jean & Richard Wechsler
Janice Willett*
Sharon Womack
Carolyn Woodward*
Anthony Yorio*
Anthony & Mary Yorio*
Allen & Barbara Young
Alan Zimmerman
Cindy Zirkin
Maureen Zurlo
Corporate +
Life Member *
Deceased **
You can become a member of hip! For a membership form visit our website at www.hipcil.org/membership or call one of our offices!
Our hip family lost the following people in recent months:
Kennel Hyppolite
Anne Ciavaglia McMahon
The hip family and the community of people with disabilities lost a true champion of the Independent Living movement with the passing of Anne. She built a phenomenal career in public service with the State and Bergen County as well as working in the private non-profit sector.
When she retired, she founded Our New Journey, which established a foundation within hip to offer support for people with disabilities and their families Anne will be remembered as an activist, innovative administrator and mentor to many people throughout New Jersey.
For Anne’s full obituary, visit www.northjersey.com/obituaries/ber113514
