CHIC, Council for the Head Injured Community, is a committee of the Association comprised entirely of individuals with brain injury. Their goal is to empower members to become effective advocates for brain injury-related issues including, but not limited to, housing, employment, relationships and communication. If you have sustained a brain injury and want to become an advocate for yourself and others, CHIC is the group to join.
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.
Join CHIC
CHIC meets approximately every six weeks between the months of September and June at the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey. New members are welcome at any time. Recruitment is an ongoing priority of CHIC. If you would like to join CHIC or learn more, contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs at 732-745-0200 or tgrady@bianj.org.
Meet Our Chair, Edwin Rivas
Edwin Rivas was a heating and air conditioning technician and volunteer firefighter prior to an automobile crash in April of 2003, from which he sustained a traumatic brain injury. Since April 2003, Edwin has become an active member of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey. As Chair of the Council for the Head Injured Community, he is a member of the Association’s Board.
Edwin has served as a counselor for TREK, the Association’s annual week-long summer camp, and is actively involved in support groups, volunteer work and advocacy for the brain injured community. He works for JFK Johnson Rehabilitation’s Center for Head Injuries in Edison, where he is instrumental in motivating and inspiring individuals with brain injury. Edwin’s colleagues see his genuine compassion and tireless commitment to building the self-confidence and improving the quality of life for people with brain injury. He is not only well-respected, he is admired.
Since 2006, Edwin received an award from the Mayor of Woodbridge Township in recognition of his community volunteer efforts. Most recently, he received the Mimi Goldman Positive Achievement Award from the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey.
Edwin’s personal aspiration is to serve as an exemplary model of success for the brain injury community. He believes the journey to recovery from brain injury is a marathon, rather than a sprint, which begins with taking one first step, then another step, and then another. Realizing that brain injury is a very challenging journey, Edwin encourages people with brain injuries to persevere and not let setbacks be disappointing. Edwin invites each member of the brain injured community, their families, and their friends to support and encourage one another as each individual takes their first step and progresses on the journey to recovery.
Edwin lives in Colonia, New Jersey. He has been married to his wife, Julia, for 24 years. They have two sons, Michael and Thomas.
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 and long-time CHIC member, Mike Greenwald leads the panel 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.
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