***SPECIAL REQUEST: CHIC seeks members to assume the role of CHIC Chair-Elect and Event Coordinator. The CHIC Chair-Elect will be, in effect, training to be the next chair of CHIC. The Event Coordinator will work to coordinate CHIC related events. Both roles will be heavily supported by both fellow CHIC members and the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey. Contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs for the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey for more information at either 732-745-0200 or tgrady@bianj.org
The mission of the Council for the Head Injured Community [CHIC] is to champion and publicize the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have survived a brain injury. Membership is based on members of the Association who identify themselves as a person with a brain injury when applying for or renewing their membership. We encourage any person, whether they are a member of the Association or not, to become involved in CHIC. Furthermore, we encourage family members and significant others to be involved with CHIC as CHIC serves to better the lives of all persons with brain injury.
In addition to developing and implementing its signature event, Mike-at-the-Mike, CHIC is also known for its sense of empowerment, social bonding, educational value, and ability to assist people with brain injuries in maximizing their quality of life.
To review a copy of the CHIC Brochure click here
Join the Council for the Head Injured Community (CHIC)
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Mike-at-the-Mike
CHIC hosts “Mike-at-the-Mike” each year at the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey’s Annual Seminar. Members all take part in planning our signature event, and CHIC co-founder and long-time member, Mike Greenwald, leads our panel discussion each year. He fields audience questions about a topic of interest to the brain injury community. The event is educational and informative for anyone who is impacted by brain injury.
Legislative Affairs
Members of CHIC are active in the halls of our state and national capitol to ensure that the voices of the brain injury community are heard. The council advocates for policies that will prevent brain injury and provide services for people with brain injury and their families.
Upcoming Events
The Council for the Head Injured Community (CHIC) meets the first Saturday of each month. Unless specified otherwise, meeting time is 10:00 am and the location is JFK Hartwyck @ Oak Tree, 2048 Oak Tree Road, Edison New Jersey. Upcoming meeting dates are:
- December 5, 2009
- January 2, 2010
- February 6, 2010
- March 6, 2010
- April 3, 2010
Contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs with any questions you may have at 732-745-0200 or at tgrady@bianj.org
Pictures
View pictures of Chicnic 2009
View pictures of our "Dress to Impress" social event held at the Colonia Fire Department on November 15, 2008.
What Members Say About CHIC
“Being involved with CHIC has empowered me to function better in the world I have not only been able to only help myself, I have been able to help others. I have been involved with the Association’s advocacy program as well as the Mentor program. None of this would have been possible without the support of CHIC. Thank you.” – Joe Caminiti
“I was able to go to Washington, D.C. to promote the need for full-funding of the TBI Act. I cannot begin to say how good I feel about having the opportunity to make a positive difference for brain injured individuals on such a large scale. I would not have been able to do so without the help of CHIC.” – Jesse Clark
“Over the past four years my involvement with CHIC has provided me with many benefits. I have learned how to advocate for myself and others through CHIC organized events in Trenton with the state legislature. These activities have also given me the self-esteem that comes from knowing that I am making a difference for myself and for others, rather than simply letting other people do things for me. CHIC has also provided me with a community of people who are dealing with the same issues I face on a daily basis. The monthly meetings and other activities planned by CHIC provide me with a place to go and enjoyable people to do things with. I also take great pride in the work CHIC does to educate the community about brain injury.” - Cheryl Weber
“If CHIC had not helped bring people of brain injuries and politicians together, items like the TBI Fund may still be some one’s dream! The opportunity to help others today and maybe you tomorrow exist now!” – Tim Burns
“I am a 45 year-old man who has been living with the effects of brain injury since age 22. With the help of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey and CHIC, I have overcome many obstacles. I am now employed by the Gloucester County Department of Human Services as a Field Representative Narcotics Division. I have spoken to over 36,000 youths on the topic of making good choices and was able to create a video.” – Frank Smith
Meet The Chair
Dave Mariconda became chair of the Council for the Brain Injury Community [CHIC] in October 2009 at the annual meeting of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey. On June 22, 2006, while looking at properties, Dave suffered a hemorrhagic stroke.
Kasey, his work partner, and now caregiver, saved his life by taking him to the emergency room instead of home like he had asked. The ride side of his body is affected as a result of the brain injury and now has difficulty with walking and using his right arm. Dave says, “Like every brain injured person, each day is full of challenges and surprises.”
He is currently involved with three support groups and has been a member of CHIC for about 2 years. Dave says, “I am very excited about this opportunity to do more and more for the brain injured community as well as for all people with disability.” Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, Dave graduated from Seton Hall University in 1979 with a B.S. degree in Accounting. While attending college, Dave worked for a post office as a clerk. Upon graduating, he then worked in New York City at the Postal Data Center. He switched from Accounting to Data Processing, ultimately attaining the position of branch manager. Then, he went to A.I.G. where he rose to the level of Vice President of Production Management. From there, he worked at the Jersey City location of A.D.P. where he headed their systems assurance area.
In his spare time, Dave enjoyed coaching baseball, football, and hockey. Additionally, scouting and mentoring has always been a part of Dave’s life. He received his broker’s license and was looking for a place to open his real estate brokerage when he sustained a brain injury.
Dave is married to his wife, Therese, and have two sons, Greg and Tom. They have lived in Fairfield, NJ for 22 years.
Special Notes
The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey produces a quarterly newsletter. As such, we are interested in including feature stories about people impacted by brain injury. If you are interested in being considered as a subject for a feature story, please contact our Communications Associate, Bill Kolbenschlag at 732-745-0200 or via email at bkolbenschlag@bianj.org