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| In honor of our 25 years of service to the community, Community Access Unlimited presents this timeline as a way to reflect on our progress over the years and how far we have come. |
| 1979 | - Under the leadership of Sid Blanchard, the Association for Advancement of the Mentally Handicapped (AAMH) receives a state grant of $90,000 to de-institutionalize 20 adults with mental retardation - AAMH-National, three staff began providing services in Union County. Sid and Floyd were two of the original staff - The first two members arrived from Johnstone Developmental Center. Elijah Brannon and Eddie Mathews were the first two members placed by AAMH-Union - The first unofficial office of AAMH was Sid’s Volkswagen with all efforts being coordinated through the use of the car. As the operation grew, Sid’s car became inadequate. It wasn’t until late 1979, however, that AAMH was able to move to 60 Prince Street |
The infamous "bug" that started it all  Sid Blanchard Executive Director Community Access Unlimited |
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| 1980 | - First Board of Trustees nominated and AAMH incorporated as an independent agency - First Community Support Program member contracted for service - Concerned Families group created |
| 1981 | - AAMH became an independent, self-governing agency leaving AAMH national in order to branch off on their own - The first recreation trip was organized with 20 AAMH members traveling to Florida - The first Supervised Apartment Program (SAP) was opened in Roselle |
| 1982 | - Four more Supervised Apartment Programs opened in Elizabeth, Plainfield, Linden, and Hillside - The first annual Renewal Day took place - Mercedes Alteri began her career with AAMH  |
| 1983 | - AAMH awarded a federal grant to provide employment services to people with mental and developmental disabilities in Union County - First Union County Department of Human Services grant secured |
| 1984 | - AAMH begins working with DYFS to design a transitional service program to serve youth aging-out of foster care - First graduation ceremony honors 13 members who moved from SAP to Supportive Living Apartment Program (SLAP) - Helping Hands Self-Advocacy was born |
| 1985 |
- AAMH/DYFS Transitional Program begins - Plainfield SAP becomes specialized in meeting geriatric needs - A Social Service Block Grant contract was secured to work with Centennial High School to help transition seniors from school into adult life |
| 1986 |
- DDD begins funding the Case Management and Employment Program - "Am I Really That Different?" video is produced, a 25-minute video on the Supervised and Supportive Living Programs - AAMH/DYFS Transitional Program name was changed to the Transitional Opportunities Program (TOP) |
| 1987 |
- The AAMH study "On Their Own: The Needs of Youth in Transition" leads to $50 million per year for youth services nationally - AAMH purchases first property. Lafayette is purchased as a Supervised Transitional Living Home to offer temporary residential service for AAMH/DYFS females  Lafayette Complex - A two-year capital campaign was kicked off with the goal to raise $600,000 to purchase community-based housing for our members |
| 1988 |
- Four talk shows produced with TKR cable of Elizabeth and the AAMH - The AAMH has come a long way since its beginning. Serving 20 members with a state grant of $90,000 in 1979 to serving over 350 members with a budget of $4.1 million - The Transitional Services Program begins by offering support services to 16-18 year olds who are DYFS clients living in out-of-home placements |
| 1989 |
- First Annual Youth Achievement Night - The Community Independent Living Program (CILP) developed to provide support services for individuals who no longer required the intensive services of the Supportive Living Program |
| 1990 |
- The Parent Enrichment Project (PEP) began with a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund - First Adolescent Providers Networking Conference co-sponsored by AAMH and DYFS held |
| 1991 |
- Housing continues to be a major thrust with many program moves taking place, allowing members to move into newly developed agency housing - AAMH files suit against the City of Elizabeth under the Fair Housing Act |
| 1992 |
- AAMH changes name to Community Access Unlimited (CAU) - The Elizabeth Supervised Apartment Program opens serving seven individuals from the Woodbine Developmental Center - Roselle 2 Supervised Apartment Program (SAP) opens serving eight individuals as a result of the closure of the Johnstone Developmental Center - CAU purchases and refurbishes new property at 80 West Grand Street in Elizabeth |
 CAU's current location at 80 West Grand Street |
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| 1993 |
- CAU moves from 60 Prince Street to current location at 80 West Grand Street - Union Center National Bank has provided 1.5 million in mortgage refinancing to Community Access Unlimited - Parent Enrichment Program implemented. Success leads to permanent funding by the state |
| 1994 |
- Hillside 3 Supervised Apartment Program was opened, CAU's eighth SAP Program and the first to offer barrier free units - The first annual Golf Outing was held raising over $10,000 for CAU programs - CAU assists first member in purchasing own condominium |
| 1995 |
- The Transitional Opportunities Program moves into the newly developed two family house on Elm Street - The Community Living Support Program (CLSP) was developed to serve individuals who no longer required the services of the Supportive Living Apartment Program. Five individuals are targeted for the pilot project - Fair Housing Act Suit and Property Tax issues settled |
| 1996 |
- The Supervised Apartment Program is approved to begin the development of residential program #9 in New Providence - The Community Access Institute (CAI) is founded and the first educational presentation was held - The Community Access Unlimited “Tree of Life” is unveiled and dedicated - Community Access Unlimited purchases and begins renovation on property in Summit |
| 1997 |
- CSP is the largest private fee-for-service independent living program in New Jersey - CAU has served more people with developmental disabilities over the age of 55 who live in community apartments than any other agency in New Jersey - CAU has developed more housing units than any other non-profit in NJ that serves people with disabilities and youth - Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP) – awarded for $250,000 |
| 1998 |
- CSP begins providing Self-Determination Services - Personal Assistance Services Program joins CAU umbrella of services - CAU holds first institute addressing needs of older adolescents - CAU starts partnering with Elizabeth to host 1st Home Buyers Seminar |
 Cafeteria expands to offer a full training program for adults with disabilities and disadvantaged youth 
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| 1999 |
- CAU opens up CAI at 88 West Grand St. enabling larger conferences to be held for DDD and DYFS programs  - CAU holds first Walk-a-thon  - CAU awarded pilot Self-Determination grant (Personal Preference Program) - SAP expands to eleven programs with the opening of Cranford and Summit - CAU serving 1,000 persons after 2 decades - Member Services forms new department and CSP adds Respite Program - CAU receives computer donations through United Way to modernize the main office |
| 2000 |
- Directory of Services for Older Adolescents created - CAU goes online: www.caunj.org - Junior League of Elizabeth and Plainfield adopts Parent Enrichment Program |
| 2001 |
- Car Donation and Repair Project developed - Transition to Independence Program begins - CAU spearheads County-Wide DYFS Youth Project |
| 2002 |
- Board of Trustees creates Colleen L. Fraser scholarship to assist two members to attend a national advocacy conference each year - Rejuvenation of NJ AAMR - First Time Homebuyers Program |
| 2003 |
- CAU celebrates the First Annual Tree of Life ceremony - CAU dedicates Colleen L. Fraser Wing  - Formation of Youth Advisory Board - 1st: Annual Couple's Night, Annual Celebration of Life, 10-plus year Celebration and 1-plus year TOP Celebration - CAU hosts Region IX AAMR conference |
| 2004 |
- CAU celebrates 25 years of service to the community - Formation of Jump Start Consulting Self-Advocacy group - CAU awarded national Full Community Inclusion Award from the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) - 24th Anniversary of the Gala Dance |
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