ACT NOW FOUNDATION INC
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Mission Statement
Act Now Foundation's mission is to raise awareness and educate communities about Alzheimer's disease (AD), prevention, and early detection in order to improve the quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers. The Foundation’s programs are developed as a comprehensive, community-based service with a special emphasis on older individuals with the greatest economic or social need, and particularly for low-income minorities.
About This Cause
The Foundation was co-founded by Cary Lopez, Executive Director and Kristine Allen, President who previously owned and operated a successful corporation in the fragrance industry for over 16 years. It happened in 2009; that coincidentally Ms. Lopez and Ms. Allen were faced with the devastating disease known as Alzheimer’s. After several years of living, caring and comforting their loved ones with Alzheimer’s, they decided something more had to be done. They spent the next few years researching the disease to learn everything they could to become better caregivers and became experts in their field due to their extensive training and hands on experience. It was only then, in November of 2012 that they realized the need to change the direction of their lives; so, they sold their business in the fragrance industry and founded Act Now Foundation. For the last eight years, Ms. Lopez and Ms. Allen have worked tirelessly to raise awareness, advocate and educate New Jersey about Alzheimer’s disease, prevention and early detection. The organization provides families living with Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias with support, education, evaluations testing, long-term care planning, resources, and advocacy. Ms. Allen and Ms. Lopez are Certified Dementia Practitioner’s and Certified Cognitive Assessment Screeners. Ms. Allen is also a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, a Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer, and a PAC Certified Independent Trainer. Act Now Foundation is a member of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and an Alois Society Member of the Alzheimer’s Association. Ms. Allen is a founding member of the Hudson County Caregiver Coalition, Board Chair of the Community Networking Association of NJ, a member of the Advisory Board of the Hudson County Department of Disability Services, Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Jersey City Medical Center, an elected Board Member of the Hudson County Department of Health & Human Services, and due to Covid-19, Co-Chair of the Hudson County Food Security Task Force. Ms. Lopez is an elected Board Member with the Hudson County Department of Mental Health and a member of the advisory committee for CarePoint Health Hospitals. They have received several Citation Awards, Proclamations, and Congressional Awards – all for their dedication to reducing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease in the State of New Jersey. They also co-wrote a two-bill legislation package to ensure that Alzheimer’s disease receives the attention it deserves in the state of New Jersey. The bills will clarify law regarding the listing of Alzheimer’s disease on death certificates and will expand the scope of training of home health care aides; both of which Governor Chris Christie signed into Law in January of 2016. Ms. Lopez and Ms. Allen have the experience in both the for-profit and the non-profit sector of business and know the intricacies of owning, operating, and funding an organization. They are well known and respected by their peers and politicians of New Jersey. On a personal note, Isa Lopez, Cary’s mother and the inspiration for Act Now Foundation passed away after a 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s in August of 2016. Her legacy lives on in our Isa Legacy Award at our Annual Music & Memories Gala and in the community now through each home visit, each support call, each memory screening, and each smile and hug.