Well across New Jersey, some 13,000 people are enrolled in what's known as the state's Supports Program.

It funds day programs and other activities for individuals with disabilities, which have proven to be critical in improving mental and emotional well-being, along with developing life skills and just providing a chance to socialize.

Well, this week, the nonprofit Easterseals opened its fifth day rehabilitation site in the state, this one in New Brunswick.

And as Ted Goldberg reports, the adults using the center are already feeling more part of their community.

Reviews are in for the New Day Habilitation Center, or day hub at the Easterseals building in New Brunswick.

I think it's very nice.

I like everything.

That they have currently hosts 12 adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Featuring some spooky scenery meant to make people feel at home.

If you have a loved one and you want to drop them off during the day for different services, you don't want them to walk into a blame like institutionalized sort of center.

So we try to make our habilitation sites homey.

Chief Program Officer Christina Jones says she heard more phone calls after the pandemic asking for a place like this.

While Easterseals new Jersey has been in this building for more than half a century.

This space was previously used for vocational training.

Day habilitation is an opportunity for individuals who have intellectual disabilities to come into a center where we work with them on goals, so there can be life skills, it can be social skills depending on their ability and what they're looking to accomplish in their life.

Man, I fancy you hang out and sit and talk to them.

I think it's nice.

Leaders stop by to praise the program, which had to be reviewed by New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities and given a license from Medicaid.

My own father is suffering with with, Alzheimer's and goes to, and goes to of day program.

And just to see that ability to socialize, it keeps him it keeps him with us as much as we can.

And so programs like this, not only to keep people in, should make sure that they're that they know they are part of a community.

People with disabilities are no different than those without.

They deserve to be able to play and work and live in the communities that they come from.

As cozy as the day have looks.

The Easter Seals say it's just as important for program participants to get out into the community.

That's what these vans are for.

Folks go on field trips to places like zoos, aquariums, or even just a local park to look at foliage.

That's a whole bunch of different movies and transform and fall in and party.

It's hard to get a hand made.

We put together a calendar and we take individuals out so they don't feel that they only can come with each other, people who are like them, but they also belong as part of their community.

The New Brunswick area.

I used to go to the senior center and the garden center, and I cleaned up the whole yard in the garden.

Oh, wow.

Was that a lot of fun for you?

Yes.

I always work hard and.

And I don't get lazy.

The rest of the Easterseals building offers vocational training and opportunities for activities like yoga.

Jones says the day hab can host up to 40 people each day, up from the dozen full timers they have now.

We're actively looking to expand.

So we are working with, the support coordination agencies across the state, putting the word out there that we're now open and we're accepting new clients.

And so we're, as soon as we get new referrals, we do our work to make sure that we can bring people on as soon as possible.

The entire building can accommodate up to 150 people.

And as Jones says, Easter Seals new Jersey can fit more people and try to improve the lives of more adults with disabilities in central Jersey.

In New Brunswick, I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

Support for the medical report is provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.