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Journey of independence to begin for Costello tenants

The Chuck Costello Independent Living Complex will have its official grand opening on Feb. 21 despite months of delays due to processing of applications, even though building was said to be completed ahead of schedule.

Many people with disabilities who applied looked forward more than three years to living independently for the first time in the complex. Some of the tenants have applied through subsidies with the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), while others applied individually for either subsidized housing or other sources, depending on their incomes.

In November 2005 many prospective tenants joined public officials and representatives from Pennrose Development Corp. and the Old Bridge Housing Authority in a groundbreaking ceremony for the complex, for which construction was announced to be completed last year.

Despite the fact that construction was said to be completed ahead of schedule, many prospective tenants were left in suspense as to when they would move in, while they endured a long process of waiting for their applications to be signed and processed.

Last July, prospective tenants, their families and representatives from groups serving people with disabilities attended a meeting at the George Bush Senior Center to have an opportunity to ask questions and give suggestions to representatives of Pennrose and Allies Inc. about funding and other services in the complex. I strongly feel that more meetings should have been held during construction so prospective tenants would have been updated more as their applications were being processed, which would have sped up the application procedure and lessened the frustration of waiting.

I also had one meeting with Krystal Odell, president and founder of Allies Inc., to discuss plans for funding and other amenities for the complex such as furniture, equipment for the exercise room and other furnishings. A month later, Ms. Odell told me that a committee would be formed after the complex opens. I strongly feel that prospective tenants should have had more meetings with Pennrose and/or Allies Inc. during construction so they would have an opportunity to give input on the services they would like in the complex.

The words on the sign outside the complex are etched in stone describing it as an "independent living complex." Also, the guide that tenants receive after signing their leases has references to the words "independent living" in almost all pages. One caveat I have is that the complex should not be confused as a center for independent living, which does not provide nor own housing. Centers for independent living provide information and referrals on housing and other services for people with disabilities.

The complex is named after Chuck Costello, a resident of Old Bridge who went to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and sadly perished in the terrorist attacks while saving people in one of the towers before it collapsed. I believe that Colleen Fraser, another hero of that fateful day, should be equally honored. Colleen was a woman with a disability who advocated throughout her life for others with disabilities.

Colleen perished on 9/11 on United Flight 93 near Pittsburgh, after joining other passengers in averting the terrorist attacks on board. I feel that the community room or a garden in the complex should be named to honor Colleen for her work and advocacy on behalf of citizens with disabilities.

We are about to embark on a journey of independence while packing our belongings and moving into our apartments in the complex. We will learn either on our own or with a little assistance to budget for our electrical, telephone, cable, food and/or other bills. We will also learn to maintain our new homes and keep them clean on a daily basis while learning other responsibilities.

As residents of the complex, I believe we also have a responsibility to speak for ourselves in the community as we live on our own. I hope to hold meetings at the complex to recruit tenants for membership in our Monday Morning Advocacy Network, in which they can learn to have a voice in empowering themselves while living inclusively in the community and advocating to make stores and other buildings they patronize more accessible. Members also learn to register, vote and participate in the election process.

The Costello complex is our home. I strongly believe that we should be treated and looked at not just as tenants but as citizens who have an opportunity to live and participate in all aspects of living in the community.

Anita Clavering, of Old Bridge, is a facilitator with the Monday Morning Advocacy Network of Middlesex County