New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council PUBLIC FORUM
Monday August 31, 2026 12:00-1:30pm
Join in-person:
Hilton Garden Inn 800 Rt. 130 South Hamilton, NJ 08690
Join remotely:
Zoom Link Meeting ID: 810 2491 0755 Passcode: 21361
Learn about NJ SILC and Centers for Independent Living.
Hear about their current systems advocacy activities, 1
Discuss Independent Living issues affecting people with disabilities.
Suggest concerns for SILC to address in NJ’s 2027 IL State Plan.
This Forum is Free & Open to the Public
If you wish to attend in-person or to submit comments to be read at the Forum, please contact: Colleen, croche@njsilc.org or Mary, meneary@njsilc.org by 8/25.
Please see the NJSILC website to review the current IL State Plan www.njsilc.org
Join hipcil’s Board of Trustees, staff, consumers, and friends over refreshments and demonstrate your support of the concept of Independent Living.
Learn about our accomplishments over the past year and meet all the staff from Bergen and Hudson hipcil who have made our Centers for Independent Living so successful.
Everyone is welcome; please RSVP to reserve your spot
by submitting the bottom portion of this flyer.
Annual Meeting Topic: Nutrition & Wellness
We hope you will renew your membership.
We also hope you continue to support all the services that hipcil provides to our communities.
Transportation is limited please RSVP by Oct 30th! (No fee this year)
Bergen County Community College at the Meadowlands is accessible by NJ Transit Access Link.
For additional questions contact Meaghan Velten at mvelten@hipcil.org or at 201-996-9100.
Help restore funding forCenter for Independent Living!
📆 Tuesday, May 6, 2025 ⌚ Start at 12PM
📌 NJ State House Annex 145 W State St.Trenton, NJ, 08608
Advocates from across New Jersey will rally on Tuesday, May 6, at noon at the New Jersey State House Annex in Trenton to demand the restoration of $3 million line item funding for the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in the FY26 budget.
The New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living (NJACIL) is organizing the “No Cuts to CILs Rally” to oppose the complete elimination of the line item providing funding for New Jersey’s 12 Centers for Independent Living in Governor Murphy’s proposed FY26 budget. CILs are consumer-controlled, community based, cross-disability, non-residential nonprofits that support the independence and wellbeing of people of all ages with all types of disabilities across the state.
“At a time when the disability community is more vulnerable than ever, funding the Centers for Independent Living is more essential than ever,”saidDonald Campbell, Vice Chair of NJACIL, noting that one in four New Jerseyans – 25% of the state’s population – lives with a disability.
The state’s 12 CILs have been exceptional stewards of the funding allocated to them. In the past year, they provided more than 102,000 consumer services and expanded programs to meet growing needs in underserved communities. Recent initiatives include enhanced peer support groups, a mobile CIL, accessible food security projects, mental health services, and employment skills training that allow disabled people to fully contribute to their communities.
“Restoring funding for the Centers for Independent Living is a smart financial investment in people, opportunity, and the long-term strength of our communities,”saidMarily Gonzalez Escobar, Acting Chair of NJACIL.
Advocates stress that eliminating this line item would be short-sighted and fiscally irresponsible. Without this funding, the CILs would be forced to slash vital services, reduce programming and eliminate staff. Thousands of individuals and families who rely on CILs for independent living skills training, peer counseling, information and referral, individual and systems advocacy, and support for transitioning from nursing homes and other institutions into the community would be impacted.
“CILs save the state money by promoting independence, community integration, and reduced long-term reliance on more costly state and federal programs, including institutional care, down the line,”addedColleen Roche, Chair of the New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council.
The rally will be held rain or shine.
All allies, advocates, and supporters of human rights and community inclusion are urged to attend and raise their voices to restore this vital funding.
