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Alex Landis Empowerment Fund (ALEF)

Independent living grants for adults with neuromuscular disabilities 

(1) Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Advertisement Fees, up to $250

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(2) Consumable Medical Supplies (CMS), up to $250 

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(3) Accessible Vehicle Maintenance & Repair, up to $250

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(4) Assistive Technology (AT), up to $250

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(5) Durable Medical Equipment (DME), up to $250

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*A maximum of $500 can be awarded per year, per applicant,

distributed over 3 grant categories

Grants are funded

by donations!

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Applying for an ALEF grant:

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  1. Create an account on uConnect.

  2. Complete your profile.

  3. Apply for a grant.

 

It's that easy!

PCA Advertising Fees

Grants up to $250

Cover costs of job advertisements for hiring essential care staff, which can be expensive depending on geographic location and posting platform. 

Consumable Medical Supplies

Grants up to $250 

Cover costs of medically necessary items not often covered by insurance, such as urinary supplies, facial masks, medical gloves, nutritional supplements.

Accessible Vehicle Maintenance

Grants up to $250

Cover costs related to the safe operation of a primary vehicle that assists in attending medical appointments, accessing the community, and more.

Assistive Technology

Grants up to $250

Cover costs of devices, gadgets, hardwares, softwares, and other technologies that are used to promote independent living and functionality. 

Durable Medical Equipment

Grants up to $250 Cover costs of buying or repairing essential but expensive medical equipment such as wheelchairs, transfer lifts, slings, ventilators,  batteries, and more. 

Meet the ALEF Committee

ALEF Committee Members are volunteer professionals living with a neuromuscular disability themselves. 

 

They are responsible for identifying community needs, developing grant policies and procedures, designing grant

applications, and vetting grant recipients.  

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Suzanne LaPrise, 

Grant Administrator

Photo of Michael Wasser. He is bald, wearing black rimmed glasses and slightly smiling at the camera. He wears a white collared, button up dress shirt and a grey paisley tie.

Michael Wasser, 

Committee Member

Close up photo of Kareen Zeitounzian. She has short brown hair, brown eyes and is smiling at the camera. She wears a white blouse, a black collared blazer on top, and a string of pearls around her neck.

Kareen Zeitounzian,

Committee Member

Photo of Emily Wolinsky. Her blonde hair is pulled up high in a bun. She is smiling wide,facing the camera with a pink blouse on and a black ribbed sweater on top. She is pictured in front of a library book shelf.

Emily Wolinsky, 

Committee Member

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Dan Darkow, 

Committee Member

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Brooklyn Marx, 

Committee Member

History of ALEF

The ALEF grant program was created and named in honor of one of NMD United’s founders, Alex Landis, who died suddenly on June 28, 2015.

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To continue Alex's legacy of helping others, the ALEF program offers financial relief to adults living with neuromuscular disabilities through independent living grants in various categories of needs.

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Since its formation in 2015, the ALEF program has awarded thousands of dollars in funding independent living to the neuromuscular community. This has been made possible by the volunteer committee members and generous donations.

 

If you'd like to help continue ALEF's future, donate here.

Alex's Capes and Tiaras 5K

This annual fundraiser celebrates the life and legacy of Alex Landis. Each August in St. Augustine, Florida, Alex Landis is remembered for the great acts she did serving others during her time on Earth. Individuals are able to participate in this event virtually or from any location!

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Proceeds from this run go towards NMD United's ALEF grant program.

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