A Brief History
Project Freedom is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to developing, supporting and advocating opportunities for independent living for persons with disabilities.
Project Freedom's roots go back to the 70s when two concerned and dedicated women wanted to provide recreation to young people with disabilities outside of their homes. They started the Nottingham Recreation Center for the Physically Limited, better known as NRCPL. A board of directors was formed to give the organization direction and guidance. NRCPL serviced people in the Hamilton Township and Trenton areas; evening programs were offered twice a month and a bowling program ran every Saturday. NRCPL’s popularity grew with new ideas and programs.
A new realization loomed on the horizon in the 80s. For the most part, many of these young adults lived with their parents or other family members. What would happen to them when their caregivers were no longer able to help them? They were not "sick" or in need of round-the-clock nursing care. Nursing homes were definitely not a solution. The solution came in the name of a new organization that grew from NRCPL, but this one was named Project Freedom.
Project Freedom incorporated in 1984 with the mission dedicated to developing, supporting and advocating opportunities for independent living for persons with disabilities. As a major foundation of this mission, Project Freedom provides affordable, accessible apartments for people with disabilities. Apartments where people with disabilities make the decisions, live as independently as possible with support as needed, and be productive members of society. Project Freedom's first endeavor was the construction of a 30-unit apartment complex in Robbinsville, NJ, completed in 1991. Each apartment is fully accessible and subsidized for low-income people with disabilities. The second accomplishment was the completion in 1995 of a shared-living house adjacent to the apartment complex where the tenants share a common living room, dining room and kitchen and have private bedrooms with bathroom. The Robbinsville "campus" houses 46 people with various disabilities.
Project Freedom's third accomplishment was the completion of Project Freedom at Hamilton in October 2001 containing 48 apartments in Hamilton Township, Mercer County. This campus has eight apartment buildings of six units each and a large Community Center for offices and group gatherings.
Project Freedom's fourth accomplishment was the completion of Project Freedom at Lawrence in November 2004 containing 56 apartments in Lawrence Township, Mercer County. This campus has nine apartment buildings of six units each and a large Community Center for offices and group gatherings.