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Monday 9am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Progressive Center for Independent Living NJ

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Trenton, NJ
Progressive Center for Independent Living NJ

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Serving Mercer, Hunterdon & Somerset Counties, NJ.

We support people with disabilities and caregivers through programs like Drive-Ability, NJ SNAP, Support Coordination (DDD), peer groups, Mental Heath First Aid training & more. We offer services in self-advocacy, independent living skills, resources, Emergency Preparedness programs, Transition Services for teens and young adults, disability awareness training, NJ Snap Navigation, and recreational/social program for Mercer, Somerset, and Hunterdon county in New Jersey.

10/20/2026

No job experience? No problem! Your student may already have more to put on a resume than you think!

For high school students with disabilities, building a resume doesn’t have to start with a paid job.

Volunteer work, school clubs, community service, leadership roles, and job shadowing opportunities can all help demonstrate valuable skills and experiences to future employers.

In this month’s What’s Next? video, we’re reminding parents that preparing for employment starts long before that first job interview!

Through WIOA Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and NJ DVRS, eligible students with disabilities can explore careers, develop workplace skills, and gain experiences that help prepare them for life after high school for free.

💡 Every experience is an opportunity to learn, grow, and build confidence.

Is your student preparing for what comes next? Download PCIL’s FREE Transition Plan Audit through the link in our bio.

Share this with a parent of a high school student with a disability in Mercer County or Hunterdon County, NJ!

10/19/2026

“I believe everyone should have the opportunity to work.”

Meet Renee, PCIL’s Independent Living Department Manager! She joined PCIL 22 years ago as our first Transition Specialist, helping develop the program that supports people with disabilities as they prepare for employment and greater independence.

For this week’s Meet the Team spotlight during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Renee reminds us that a job can offer much more than a paycheck: purpose, connection, new skills and opportunities to discover what matters to us.

She also knows that being eager to work and feeling prepared for the workplace can be two different things.

That’s why she values PCIL’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). The program helps youth and young adults build a foundation for employment—from understanding workplace expectations to developing confidence, communicating their needs and exploring career interests.

For Renee, the goal is to help someone prepare to find a job, keep it and grow along a path that suits their strengths and goals.

Join us in thanking Renee for 22 years of helping people with disabilities build their futures in Mercer County and Hunterdon County, New Jersey!

If you are a person living with a disability, a caregiver, or family member and would like to know more about the many services and programs we offer around employment goals give us a call!

10/19/2026

Deadline to register for the Paint and Sip event is approaching fast! Don't miss out. AND take a look at the newly added Bingo Night with PCIL Hunterdon!

📅 UPCOMING PCIL EVENTS

OCTOBER 29 | Paint & Sip: A Fall Night of Creativity 🎨
Hunterdon R.E.C.C. Group
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 PCIL Hunterdon Office, Lebanon, NJ
🎟️ PCIL members: $20 | Non-members: $30
Register by October 23 at 4:30 PM. Create a fall-themed painting with step-by-step guidance while enjoying refreshments and snacks.

NOVEMBER 3 | Launch Your Future: Part 1 - Know Yourself
LTDL Peer Support Group
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
💙 Free | Registration Closes October 27 at 4:30 PM.
This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series. Participants will identify their strengths, skills, interests, and workplace preferences while exploring what they can bring to a potential employer. It is recommended that you register for all three parts.

NOVEMBER 5 | BINGO was his Name-O!
R.E.C.C. of PCIL Hunterdon
🕔 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Flemington Elks Lodge
💙 $5 for PCIL Members, $10 for Non-Members | Registration Closes November 2 at 4:30 PM.
Join us for a friendly game of Bingo!

NOVEMBER 9 | Launch Your Future: Part 1 - Know Yourself
Hunterdon Peer Support Group
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 PCIL Hunterdon Office, Lebanon, NJ
💙 Free | Registration Closes November 5 at 4:30 PM.
This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series. Participants will identify their strengths, skills, interests, and workplace preferences while exploring what they can bring to a potential employer. It is recommended that you register for all three parts.

NOVEMBER 17 | Launch Your Future: Part 1 - Market Yourself
LTDL Peer Support Group
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
💙 Free | Registration Closes November 10 at 4:30 PM.
This is Part 2 of a 3 Part Series. Participants will learn how to present their skills and experiences through resumes, job applications, and job searches. It is recommended that you register for all three parts.

NOVEMBER 19 | Fall Luminaries
Community Connections Mercer
🕖 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ 08610
🎟️ $5 for PCIL Members and Non-Members
Register by November 13 at 4:30 PM.
Participants will decorate glass jars with seasonal leaves, ribbons, and lights to create their own beautiful luminaries to take home. All materials will be provided.

🌐 Details and registration:

Tag someone who might want to join you!

10/17/2026

Our rights. Our choices. Our place in the community. 📣

On October 5, PCIL staff joined disability advocates, organizations and state officials at the War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey, for a disability civil rights rally organized by our sister Center for Independent Living, Alliance Center for Independence.

Together, participants spoke up about protecting Medicaid, home and community-based services, and the funding that supports independence. The rally also highlighted Olmstead, Section 504, and the importance of voting and civic participation—with a shared message: people with disabilities deserve to have their rights respected, make their own choices and live in their communities.

PCIL staff hosted an informational table, connecting attendees with resources and sharing our work supporting people with disabilities in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties.

Thank you to Alliance Center for Independence and everyone who raised their voice for disability rights and community living!

Alliance Center for Independence

10/16/2026

🚨 Do you really have to wait until age 21 to apply for DDD services in New Jersey?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions we hear — and knowing the answer could make a BIG difference when planning for the future!

In Part 6 of DDD Explained: Support Coordination in NJ, Batool clears up the confusion around DDD eligibility, when to start the application process, and why planning ahead matters.

🎥 Watch to learn more, and share this with someone who may be preparing for the transition to adult services!

💙 Follow PCIL for more tips on navigating DDD services in New Jersey.

10/15/2026

Looking back at a great day together! ☀️

Last month, the Annual PCIL Picnic brought our community together at Mercer County Park for time outdoors, conversation and connection.

Events like our annual picnic give people with disabilities, families and friends opportunities to spend time together, strengthen friendships and meet new people.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day special! Enjoy these moments from the picnic. 📸

PCIL’s Community Connections recreation program brings people with disabilities together across Mercer County and Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Be sure to check out all our upcoming inclusive events on our website!

10/14/2026

Meet Michael Powell, our next “Off to Work Wednesday” Employment Spotlight for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!

Michael has proudly worked at Walmart in Hamilton, NJ, for 19 years. He’s been a fitting room associate, a customer host and, for the past five-plus years, a self-checkout host.

For Michael, finding a job and continuing to meet its responsibilities is an accomplishment he takes pride in. He recognizes the challenges people with significant disabilities can face in finding and maintaining employment, including uncertainty when management changes.

Through those changes, Michael has built a long-term career. His work gives him a sense of purpose, and his income helps him maintain his independence.

Michael’s story highlights what lasting employment can mean: pride in your contributions, a steady income and greater independence.

PCIL’s transition and employment services help people with disabilities in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, NJ, explore career interests, build workplace skills and work toward their employment goals.

Learn about our programs and services at .

Join us in celebrating Michael and his 19 years of dedication! 💙

10/14/2026

“Can I work without losing my disability benefits?”

You might want to explore a job, earn more money or try something new—but concerns about your benefits and health coverage can make taking that next step feel overwhelming.

For National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we’re sharing PCIL’s latest blog:

Can I Work Without Losing My Disability Benefits? What New Jersey Residents Should Know

If you or someone you care about has been asking this question, this article is a place to start.

📖 Visit the blog section of PCIL’s website to read the full article.

Serving people with disabilities in Mercer County and Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

10/12/2026

“Don’t underestimate people.”

Meet Bill, a Transition Specialist who has been part of PCIL for a little over a year! For this week’s Meet the Team spotlight during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we’re highlighting how he helps people of all abilities move toward employment and greater independence.

A Transition Specialist helps people with disabilities build skills and connect with resources that support their goals. For Bill, that can mean exploring career interests, preparing for work, studying for the driving permit test or navigating benefits and other supports.

His approach starts with each person’s strengths and interests and not their disability: “What are you good at? What do you like doing? What can you bring to the table?”

Everyone has different strengths, goals and a different path forward. Bill believes in setting expectations high and giving people a real chance to show what they can do.

His favorite part of the job? Seeing someone accomplish something they weren’t sure they could—and watching their confidence grow.

Join us in thanking Bill for supporting people with disabilities in Mercer County and Hunterdon County, New Jersey, as they build skills, pursue their goals and discover what’s possible!

10/12/2026

October is well under way and November event deadline sign ups are already knocking at the door! Don't miss out on these fall festive events!

📅 UPCOMING PCIL EVENTS

OCTOBER 19 | Line Dancing
Community Connections Mercer
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM
📍 The Hive, 3291 East State Street, Hamilton Township, NJ
🎟️ PCIL members: $18 | Non-members: $25
Register by October 14 at 4:30 PM. Learn beginner-friendly dances in a welcoming, inclusive setting. No experience needed!

OCTOBER 20 | Transportation Series, Part 2: NJ TRANSIT Field Trip
LTDL Peer Support Group
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Meet at the PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
💙 Free | Register by October 13 at 4:30 PM.
Practice transportation skills together during a guided trip. Participants should plan to attend both parts of the series.

OCTOBER 29 | Paint & Sip: A Fall Night of Creativity 🎨
Hunterdon R.E.C.C. Group
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 PCIL Hunterdon Office, Lebanon, NJ
🎟️ PCIL members: $20 | Non-members: $30
Register by October 23 at 4:30 PM. Create a fall-themed painting with step-by-step guidance while enjoying refreshments and snacks.

NOVEMBER 3 | Launch Your Future: Part 1 - Know Yourself
LTDL Peer Support Group
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
💙 Free | Registration Closes October 27 at 4:30 PM.
This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series. Participants will identify their strengths, skills, interests, and workplace preferences while exploring what they can bring to a potential employer. It is recommended that you register for all three parts.

NOVEMBER 9 | Launch Your Future: Part 1 - Know Yourself
Hunterdon Peer Support Group
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 PCIL Hunterdon Office, Lebanon, NJ
💙 Free | Registration Closes November 5 at 4:30 PM.
This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series. Participants will identify their strengths, skills, interests, and workplace preferences while exploring what they can bring to a potential employer. It is recommended that you register for all three parts.

NOVEMBER 17 | Launch Your Future: Part 1 - Market Yourself
LTDL Peer Support Group
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 PCIL Mercer Office, Hamilton, NJ
💙 Free | Registration Closes November 10 at 4:30 PM.
This is Part 2 of a 3 Part Series. Participants will learn how to present their skills and experiences through resumes, job applications, and job searches. It is recommended that you register for all three parts.

NOVEMBER 19 | Fall Luminaries
Community Connections Mercer
🕖 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ 08610
🎟️ $5 for PCIL Members and Non-Members
Register by November 13 at 4:30 PM.
Participants will decorate glass jars with seasonal leaves, ribbons, and lights to create their own beautiful luminaries to take home. All materials will be provided.

🌐 Details and registration:

Tag someone who might want to join you!

Address

3635 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 40
Trenton, NJ
08619

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.pcil.org/

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