<div dir="auto">L--------- Forwarded message ---------<br></div><div><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Gaston, Pamela</strong><br>Date: Thu, May 19, 2022 at 8:48 PM<br>Subject: You Are Invited: May Community Connection Call (Please Share)Ne<br></div><br>




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<b style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Commission<span style="color:black;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in"> for
 the Blind and Visually Impaired </span>invites you to call-in to our  </span></b><br>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">May 2022 Commission Community Connection Conference Call  </span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">You Are Not Alone: Social Engagement Options for Spring and Beyond (Part #2) </span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Wednesday, May 25, 2022 </span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">10:30 a.m. to 12 Noon </span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Call in number: 1-888-808-6929 / Access Code: 6486149# </span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Relay Captioning Link for individuals who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired:
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#403f34"><br>
<span style="background:white">(At the start time of the event, please login by clicking on the link below)
</span><br>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.captionedtext.com/client/event.aspx?EventID=5121087&CustomerID=637__;!!J30X0ZrnC1oQtbA!IXMPxnsrTaC5uvSx29OvtTCY3wl9YUtZIrcPBPo1ye803tYJvi2_J0mUCUHa9zIHfmeF69ZfCd4xSZCaILJMtg$" target="_blank"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">https://www.captionedtext.com/client/event.aspx?EventID=5121087&Customer...</span></a><b> </b></span></p>
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<b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">May is Mental Health Awareness Month! </span></i></b></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;background:white">Researchers have found that individuals who participate in higher levels of social engagement were consistently associated with less perceived depression, better feelings of overall
 well-being and higher quality of life. Studies have also shown that social engagement </span><span>improves mental health in older adults, including those who have already experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In <b>Part #2 of “You Are Not Alone: Social Engagement for Spring and Beyond”,</b> panelists will share information on both in-person and virtual social engagement options that may help promote
 a sense of belonging and security, allow you to discuss your feelings with others and be receptive to them expressing theirs to you, lighten your mood and make you feel happier. </span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;background:white">Host: Krystle Allen</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;background:white">, CBVI Community Outreach Specialist </span></p>
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<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Guest Panelists:
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<b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Ofelia Guerra, Customer Support Manager, U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;background:white">Will share information about her role as the point of contact for
<span style="color:#201f1e">Newark International Airport’s team of Passenger Support Specialists and how the TSA Cares program can be of assistance to travelers.
</span><span> </span> </span></p>
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<b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Neva Fairchild, Aging and Vision Loss Specialist, American Foundation for the Blind  </span></u></b></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Will share information on how to participate in the Blind Leaders Development Program and options for age 55+ individuals to become more socially engaged.</span><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
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<b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">John Carver, Executive Director and Casey Carver, Director of Operations, Lions Beacon Lodge Camp
<span> </span></span></u></b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></u></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Will share information on Beacon Lodge, a full service summer camp for adults and families with members who are blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired. </span></p>
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<b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Jess Jasionowski, Accessibility Liaison, George Street Playhouse
</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></u></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Will discuss audio-described performances and how her theatre strives to be accessible and welcoming for all. </span></p>
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<b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Meredith Burnes, Executive Director and Courtney Little Producing Director, Art House Productions </span></u></b></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Will discuss Art House’s accessibility accommodations and their upcoming Access JC Fridays during which the work of artists with disabilities will be showcased. </span></p>
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<b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Melva Henderson, Founder and CEO, Living Beyond Limits </span></u></b></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Will discuss her organization’s podcast and activities and events for the empowerment of people with disabilities.
<span> </span> </span></p>
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<b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Susan Vanino, Coordinator ASPIRE Peer Support Groups and Michael Outwater, Member </span></u></b></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Will provide an update on the ASPIRE program and the benefits of peer support group membership. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">If you have any questions, or would like to suggest topics for future Commission Community Connection Calls, please don’t hesitate to email:
</span><a href="mailto:Krystle.Allen@dhs.nj.gov" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">Krystle.Allen@dhs.nj.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">
  or call: 973-648-4497. </span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></p>
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 NJCBVI Logo: </span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:9pt;text-align:left;background-color:white">Dark blue </span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:9pt;text-align:left;background-color:white">Braille cells that depict NJCBVI, with a gray hand hovering
 over the letter "N" with the finger pointed to read; to the right and directly under the Braille cells is NJCBVI in large, bold, blue block letters under which in all caps is New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in gray letters.</span></i></span></span><br>
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</div></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><br>Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org">president@nfbnj.org</a><br><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</a><br></div>