Did you know that in the United States, someone suffers a brain injury every 9 seconds? Or how about that 1 in 60 Americans, or more than 5 million people, live with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) related disability? Millions more suffer from the residual effects of less severe brain injuries. To help bring attention to these staggering numbers, March has been designated as Brain Injury Awareness Month, during which survivors and advocates of traumatic brain injuries unite to spread awareness about this “invisible” injury that so many live with.
The Opportunity Project, located in Millburn, is one local organization doing its part to not only raise awareness of brain injuries, but also to empower persons with brain injuries through programs and partnerships. Through its Clubhouse model, Opportunity Project provides support and re-integration services for adults with TBIs and their family. In addition, its programs are open to anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Opportunity Project is dependent upon support from individuals to be able to offer its life-changing programs and services that build cognitive skills, vocational skills, and self-esteem for individuals with brain injury.
Here’s a list of ways you can help bring attention to Brain Injury Awareness Month and support the Opportunity Project:
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- Congressional Brain Injury Awareness Day – March 13. Wear Green today in support! Visit Rockn’ Joe Millburn and the Millburn Free Public Library. Pick up brain injury prevention flyers and meet Opportunity Project members who are brain injury survivors.
- Healthy Brain – Healthy Me Day – March 27th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Opportunity Project Clubhouse. The signature event, Healthy Brain – Healthy Me Day, is an informative and fun-filled day sponsored by and RWJ Barnabas Health and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center focusing on healthy living, nutrition and tips to improve cognitive health.
- The Annual Blue Jean Day, perhaps the most popular day, can take place any day! Employers can designate a day for employees to wear jeans or green for the cause, and be entered into the Opportunity Project raffle to win various prizes.
- Kings Food Markets Benefit Shopping Week – March 24 to March 30. Shop at participating* Kings Food Markets Mention code ‘BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS’ and Opportunity Project will receive 5% of the sales from purchases (up to $2,500). *Participating stores: Short Hills, Montclair, Morristown, Chatham, and Maplewood
To make a donation to Opportunity Project Click here.
For more information, email jlondon@opportunityproject.org or call 973-921-1000 x 105