What are the 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

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.

11/05/2026

Our Hunterdon RECC group turned PCIL’s Lebanon office into an art studio for Paint and Sip! 🎨

On Thursday, October 29, Kendal Plumstead from Paint and Sip in Flemington guided the group as everyone created a painting of their own. One participant wanted to paint her dog, Barkley! 🐾 Everyone was happy with how their paintings turned out, and Kendal told the group it was the best art she’d seen from any of her groups!

For people with disabilities in Hunterdon County, RECC is a place to try something new, spend time with friends, and meet people who share their interests. Sitting down to paint together gives people time to talk and get to know each other while doing something they enjoy.

Thank you, Kendal, for painting with us! Take a look at what our artists created. 💛

11/03/2026

If you opened a letter from yourself a year from now, what would you hope it said? 💌

We’re looking back at our September 14 Hunterdon Peer Support Group at PCIL’s office in Lebanon, NJ. During “Letter to My Future Self,” guided questions gave the group a chance to talk about where they are today and what they hope to do next. Each participant then put their thoughts into a letter to revisit down the road.

Conversations like these are part of what makes peer support so valuable. People with disabilities in Hunterdon County have a place to talk about their goals, hear how others approach similar challenges, and encourage one another as they work toward what matters to them.

What’s one thing you’d want your future self to remember? 💬

11/02/2026

💙 November is National Family Caregivers Month!

Behind so many everyday moments are family caregivers providing encouragement, advocacy, and support to the people they love.

Whether it's helping someone navigate services, build new skills, make decisions, or participate in their community, family caregivers play an important role in supporting independence and quality of life.

At the Progressive Center for Independent Living (PCIL), we recognize and appreciate the dedication of family caregivers throughout Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, NJ. We believe that supporting families also means empowering people with disabilities to make choices and live life on their own terms.

💙 To all family caregivers, THANK YOU for all that you do!

💌 Know someone who deserves a little appreciation? Tag or Share this post with a family caregiver in your life to let them know their love, dedication, and support don't go unnoticed!

11/02/2026

November is here and so is a fun fall line up for peer group discussions and recreation fun! We hope to see you this November.

📅 UPCOMING PCIL EVENTS

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!

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from the PCIL team! 🎃✨

The red carpet is rolled out, and our staff is serving up some serious Halloween style! 💃🕺

Friday, we traded our regular routines for a Halloween costume catwalk, and the competition is fierce!

🏆 We need YOUR help to crown a winner!

💬 Watch our staff strut their stuff, then vote for your favorite costume by dropping a comment below! 👇

At PCIL, we’re all about celebrating individuality, breaking barriers, and making sure everyone has the opportunity to shine. And while today’s runway is all about having fun, we bring that same energy and passion to empowering people with disabilities in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties every day. 🧡

Who rocked the runway? Let the voting begin! 🎉

PeopleWithDisabilities MercerCountyNJ HunterdonCountyNJ

10/30/2026

Next stop: Quaker Bridge Mall!

Our PCIL Mercer LTDL Peer Group put their travel skills into practice during Part 2 of the Take the Next Stop Series with Linda Rapacki of NJTIP!

This two-part series introduced participants to NJ TRANSIT and other community transportation options. Part 1 focused on planning trips, reading schedules, and understanding fares and routes. In Part 2, it was time to take a ride together!

The group walked from the PCIL office to the bus stop and caught the 609 bus to Quaker Bridge Mall. Participants learned how to use the Transit app to track the bus in real time, check for delays, and see how many stops remained before their destination.

At the mall, everyone had time to walk around and socialize before catching the bus back to PCIL. 💙

Knowing how to use public transportation can open up more opportunities to work, shop, meet friends, and stay connected—and practicing together helps build confidence for future trips. Special thanks to Linda Rapacki!

Want to build new skills and connect with others? Contact PCIL to learn about our Mercer County LTDL Peer Group and upcoming activities!

10/30/2026

Being prepared starts before an emergency happens.

PCIL joined participants at Project Freedom Hamilton Woods for Emergency Preparedness Training—and two participants took home a Go Bag!

Planning ahead gives us time to think about what we need, who we can contact, and how we’ll get help if our usual routines or supports are disrupted. For people with disabilities, that includes planning for individual accessibility, communication, and support needs.

A Go Bag keeps essential supplies together and ready if you need to leave quickly. Items like water, a flashlight, emergency contacts, and important documents can help you take that next step with greater confidence.

Thank you to Project Freedom Hamilton Woods for welcoming us and making preparedness a priority!

Want to help your organization prepare? Contact PCIL to set up an Emergency Preparedness Training for your organization in Mercer County or Hunterdon County, NJ.

10/28/2026

A disability can become part of anyone’s life—even after decades in a career they love.

Meet Remi Psak, our final “Off to Work Wednesday” Employment Spotlight for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). 💙

Remi began working in dentistry in high school. What was supposed to be a summer job became a career she loved, especially helping nervous patients feel more comfortable through explanation, demonstration and trust.

She continued her training, earning New Jersey credentials that allowed her to take dental X-rays and perform expanded duties as a dental assistant.

Then serious liver disease changed her life. After four years on a transplant waiting list, Remi received a life-saving liver transplant in 2023 and went on disability.

However, she realized she missed connecting with coworkers and patients and decided to go back to work part-time.

“I went back to work part-time two days a week and I still love it.”

Remi’s story reminds us that anyone can become disabled at any point in life. With opportunities and support that fit their needs, people can continue contributing their skills and experience in the workplace. For Remi, returning part-time meant reconnecting with coworkers and patients and continuing work she loves.

PCIL’s transition and employment services help people with disabilities in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, NJ, explore their options, build workplace skills and pursue their individual employment goals.

Learn about our programs and services at .

Thank you to Amy, Michael P, Michael C and Remi for sharing their experiences this month. Their stories highlight why opportunities for meaningful employment matter all year long and how important transition services are!

10/27/2026

💼 What skills are employers REALLY looking for? You might be surprised!

When preparing for employment, it’s easy to focus on resumes, grades, and job experience. But employers also value skills that aren’t always taught in a classroom.

✅ Showing up on time

✅ Communicating effectively

✅ Working well with others

✅ Following directions

✅ Solving problems

These are called workplace readiness skills, and they’re important for finding a job, keeping a job, and building a successful career.

The good news? These skills can be learned and practiced!

In this month’s What’s Next? video, we’re highlighting how students with disabilities can start developing these valuable skills before entering the workforce.

Through WIOA Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and NJ DVRS, eligible students with disabilities can access opportunities to build workplace skills, explore careers, and prepare for future employment.

🎓 Preparing for a career starts long before the first job interview!

📋 Is your student ready for what’s 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!

10/26/2026

What if you haven't found the right job yet?

As we continue celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we're introducing you to another member of PCIL's team helping people with disabilities explore employment opportunities and work toward their goals!

Meet Nick C., a Transition Specialist and SNAP Navigator at PCIL.

Recently, a consumer asked him a question many of us can relate to: “Is there a perfect job out there for me?”

His response was a reminder that finding meaningful employment doesn't always happen overnight. It takes patience, persistence, self-discovery, and sometimes the right support along the way.

“Finding the right job takes time. Don't give up on finding what works for you.”

As a Transition Specialist, Nick helps individuals explore their interests, recognize their strengths, develop workplace skills, and prepare to find and maintain employment.

Because not finding the right job yet doesn't mean it's time to stop looking. 💙

PCIL is proud to support people with disabilities throughout Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, NJ, as they work toward employment and greater independence.

If you are a person living with a disability looking for some help to get your career started contact our transition department and see how we can help you discover your perfect job.

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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