EAST BRUNSWICK–Creating a safe and friendly space for families who have loved with disabilities to share their experiences, Disability Allies launches its “Family Support Group.”
Disability Allies is a non-profit organization that creates a more inclusive community by connecting young adults with and without special needs.
School and Community Outreach Liaison Audrey Weiner said, “Disability Allies wants to develop support and friendships to families who have young adult children with disabilities. The organization wanted to create a place where families can sit down and share their ideas and feelings in a friendly, caring environment.”
With 20 families in attendance, the organization held its first “Family Support Group” session on Oct. 26 at the organization’s Adult Community Inclusion Center, located at the Village Green Shopping Center, 415 Route 18.
Weiner said that the support group is held during the last Tuesday of every month, with the except during the month of December. The group is free of charge and supervision is provided to young adults with disabilities.
“A variety of topics will be discussed at our meetings such as Department of Developmental Disabilities services, support coordination, estate planning, wills and trusts, the guardianship application process, the role of attorneys for parents and the role of the court-appointed attorney,” Weiner said. “Additional topics will be Middlesex County Aging and Disability Services, information on brain injury, and mental health. Open discussions of sharing information, and relaxing events including yoga, potluck, karaoke and art will be available.”
Weiner said that the Family Support Group is available to all family members in the community who care for a young adult child with disabilities, parents, aunts and uncles, sisters and brothers, cousins and friends. It is not limited to families of Disability Allies clients.
“Our group is a place to sit down and share a friendly, supportive environment. The Family Support Group is where anyone in a caregiving role can openly discuss the successes and challenges of caring for adults with disabilities,” Weiner said. “It’s a place where all can find and share support and a place to gain needed information.”
Weiner said that the support group will be facilitated by Disability Allies staff, as well as, a variety of professional guest speakers and topics.
For more information, contact Audrey Weiner at 732-789-7027 or email [email protected].
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].