New Brunswick, NJ - April 14, 2026 - Easterseals New Jersey, in partnership with Garden State Esports, will host Level Up: A Unified Gaming Night on Thursday, April 23, from 6:00–9:00 PM at Easterseals New Jersey’s facility in North Brunswick.
The event will bring together students and young adults with disabilities ages 14–25, along with their families, for an inclusive evening of gaming, connection, and transition awareness. Participants will compete in a Mario Kart tournament while families learn about services that support individuals after high school through Easterseals’ programs.
Level Up introduces families to available resources earlier in the transition process, helping them understand pathways to independence, employment, and community engagement.
“At Easterseals New Jersey, we see every day how important it is for individuals and families to feel supported as they navigate the transition to adulthood,” said Brian Fitzgerald, President and CEO of Easterseals New Jersey. “Level Up is an opportunity to meet families earlier in that journey, create meaningful connections, and ensure they understand the resources and community available to them. Behind every program and service is a person, and this event is about helping each individual move forward with confidence and support.”
“Level Up brings students, young adults, and families together to connect and feel part of a larger, supportive community,” said Kaitlynn Bunch, Director of Unified Programming at Garden State Esports. “Gaming naturally brings people together, and through esports, participants can form friendships, collaborate, and engage in something they genuinely enjoy. For many, these experiences help foster confidence and a sense of belonging that extends beyond the classroom. Through our partnership with Easterseals New Jersey, we are helping to create pathways so individuals leave not only with new connections, but with the understanding that they have a community and resources to support them moving forward.”
In New Jersey, eligibility for certain adult services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) typically begins around ages 20–21, making early awareness critical for families planning for life after graduation.
“This event is about opening doors, connecting students and families to support systems that can truly change their future,” said Jim McKowen, Vice President of Programs and Partnerships at Garden State Esports. “By using esports as a bridge, we can engage students and parents in a way that feels natural and meaningful, while also increasing awareness of the critical resources Easterseals provides. This is about more than one night—it’s about building lasting connections, increasing access to support, and creating pathways for every student to move forward with confidence.”
Through this partnership, Easterseals New Jersey and Garden State Esports are expanding awareness of available services while creating an inclusive environment where students and families can build connections and begin planning for the future.
Level Up creates a welcoming, low-pressure environment where students, families, and community partners can connect, engage, and begin planning for the transition to adulthood.
For more information about the event, visit:
https://go.eastersealsnj.org/level-up-learn-more
To register, visit:
https://go.eastersealsnj.org/level-up
About Garden State Esports
Garden State Esports provides inclusive esports programming for students across New Jersey, creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities to connect, compete, and build community through gaming. For more information, visit https://gsesports.org/
