Click below to access our interactive calendar:

August Recreation Events

August 22nd - Sussex County Miners Game



Join us for a fun-filled evening at Skylands Stadium as the Sussex County Miners take the field for Chaos Night! Attendees will enjoy the excitement of live baseball, great food, and a spectacular fireworks show after the game. Transportation is available from the DAWNcil office in Denville, making it easy to join the fun.

The $25 registration fee includes a lower-level game ticket and a food voucher. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with friends, make lasting memories, and enjoy a summer night at the ballpark!

August 26th - Paint & Plant

Join us for an evening of creativity, connection, and fun at our Paint & Plant event! Participants will decorate their own flower pots and plant greenery to take home, combining artistic expression with hands-on gardening.

Whether you're an experienced artist or simply looking to try something new, this free event is a great opportunity to relax, socialize, and create something beautiful. Held at the DAWNcil office in Denville, this event promises a memorable experience for all who attend!

Save the date: DAWN’S ANNUAL Family Picnic 

Saturday, September 19 | 12:00-4:00 PM

Click here to access the RSVP form.

Please send completed forms to info@dawncil.org.

Enhanced Life Skills 2026

Social Media Safety & Digital Communication

Join us for our Enhanced Life Skills class on Social Media Safety & Digital Communication. This in-person workshop will help participants build practical digital communication skills while learning how to stay safe online. Topics include protecting personal information, recognizing online risks, practicing respectful communication, and developing healthy social media habits.

Our Social Media Safety & Digital Communication ELS Class will take place on:

Tuesday, August 18th

6:00–8:00 PM (check-in at 5:45 PM)

66 Ford Road, Upstairs Classroom

Denville, NJ 07834

Enhanced Life Skills classes are held every third Tuesday of the month and offer practical, real‑world tools for communication, self‑advocacy, social confidence, and independent living.

Click here to access the full class schedule for 2026.

To sign up for future classes, click the class title in the link above.

Reflecting on Disability Pride Month: Celebrating Strengths

As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, we are proud to reflect on the stories, strengths, and accomplishments shared by members of our community. Throughout July, we celebrated the talents, resilience, and unique perspectives of people with disabilities while recognizing disability as an important part of human diversity.

This year, DAWNcil created a special Disability Pride Month video featuring consumers who shared their personal strengths and what makes them proud. Their voices remind us that every individual has valuable gifts to contribute and that disability pride is about embracing who we are and celebrating our achievements.

We invite you to watch the video and join us in honoring just a few of the incredible individuals who make our community stronger every day.

Wheelchair Softball League is in Full Swing!

Ready to try something new? We are excited to continue our wheelchair softball team, the NJ Blues, with season two underway! We look forward to welcoming players of all experience levels. Join us for Tuesday evening sessions now through August 25 at Challenger Field.

Players are meeting weekly to build skills, stay active, and spend time together on the field. The league continues to be a welcoming space for all experience levels, with a focus on teamwork, consistency, and enjoying the game. Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse of how the season is going so far!

Click here for more information.

Catch us in the Community:

In the News

AKTION Club Flower Bulb Fundraiser

Support the AKTION Club of Morris County while brightening your garden with beautiful spring flowers. The club is currently selling a variety of flower bulbs, including daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, alliums, muscari, and more, with 50% of all sales directly benefiting the organization.

AKTION Club is the only service club sponsored by Kiwanis International specifically for adults with disabilities. Club members lead projects, elect officers, and support causes that matter to them, including local community initiatives and charitable organizations.

CMS Seeks Public Input on Proposed Medicaid Work Requirements



Beginning January 1, 2027, new Medicaid work requirements could affect millions of people across the country. While exemptions exist for many people with disabilities and caregivers, advocates are concerned that complex paperwork and reporting requirements could still result in eligible individuals losing access to critical healthcare coverage. AAPD is urging community members, families, and allies to submit comments opposing the proposed rule and share how Medicaid supports their independence, health, and well-being.

To read the full article and learn how to submit a comment to CMS, click here.

Have Your Voice Heard at the New Jersey Independent Living Public Forum

The New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council (NJSILC) invites individuals with disabilities, family members, advocates, service providers, and community members to participate in its Public Forum on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Held both in person and virtually, this free event provides an opportunity to learn about NJSILC and New Jersey's Centers for Independent Living, hear about current advocacy initiatives, and discuss issues affecting people with disabilities across the state.

Most importantly, the forum will gather community feedback to help shape New Jersey's upcoming 2027 Independent Living State Plan, a three-year roadmap for strengthening Independent Living services and supports statewide.