(above) Steven Agolia (right) caught up with friend Michael Brooks at Community Access Unlimited’s annual prom dinner dance.
Local People with Disabilities Enjoy Prom Night
In this season of high school proms, one stood out. The prom goers were dressed to the nines, the lights were low and the music loud and the dance floor beckoned. Yet these prom goers were not teenagers but rather adults with developmental disabilities.
Dozens of members of Community Access Unlimited attended this annual special prom held at the agency’s headquarters. CAU is a Union County-based, statewide nonprofit that strives to integrate people with disabilities and at-risk youth into the general community through comprehensive supports.
“People with disabilities often do not have the opportunity to go to a prom when they are younger because they either attend an alternative school that does not hold the event or they are not invited to their traditional school prom,” said Rolando Zorilla, CAU’s managing assistant executive director. “So a number of years ago our member self-advocacy group decided to hold their own prom and have it each year to ensure that every member who missed prom when they were younger would have the chance to celebrate their own evening again and again.”
This year’s prom was CAU member Steven Agolia’s fourth and he said he looks forward to the evening every year.
“I wanted to come tonight to mingle and see some old friends,” he said. “Socialization is important, being with people who care about you and meeting new people.”
Randy Mercado and Mary Jane French have been dating for years and were one of the many couples who took to the dance floor.
“We’re a couple,” Mercado said when asked why they came to the event. “I like the food and I like to dance.”
French looked stunning in her lilac dress with sequins.
“I’m enjoying being dressed up and I’m looking forward to dancing,” she said. “It’s also a great opportunity to see old friends.”
CAU’s prom is hosted by its member self-advocacy program, Helping Hands.
“I think it’s great we do this for the members,” said Juana Quinn, an officer of Helping Hands who never had a prom when she was in high school. “That’s the sad thing about being disabled. Most of the members never had a chance to go to prom because people think it’s not important to us. But it is.”
To learn more about CAU, visit caunj.org or follow CAU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Community Access Unlimited
Community Access Unlimited (CAU), celebrating its 40th year in 2019, supports people with special needs in achieving real lives in the community. CAU provides support and gives voice to adults and youth who traditionally have little power in society. CAU helps people with housing, life skills, employment, money management, socialization and civic activities. CAU also supports opportunities for advocacy through training in assertiveness, decision-making and civil rights. CAU currently serves more than 5,000 individuals and families, with the number served growing each year. For more information about CAU and its services, contact us by phone at 908-354-3040, online at caunj.org or by mail at 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202.
Submitted by Christopher Reardon
(above) Randy Mercado and Mary Jane French danced the night away.
(above) Juana Quinn is an officer in Helping Hands, Community Access Unlimited’s member self-advocacy program that sponsors the annual event.
