Get your costumes ready!

Allies at the Alley, AIM's fall fundraiser, will be held Saturday, Oct. 26 at Crystal Lanes in Corning.

The Halloween-themed bowling party will begin at noon. The entry fee is $15 per person, which includes two games, bowling shoes and a goodie bag.

There will be prizes for best Halloween costumes and a 50/50 raffle, and the snack bar at Crystal Lanes will be open.

The even is open to the community. Proceeds will support AIM's local programs and services for people with disabilities.

Wheelchair-accessible bowling is available at Crystal Lanes.

Register online here or call 962-8225, ext. 134.

AIM will host a Halloween dance party on Friday, Oct. 25.

The dance is set for 6-8 p.m. at the Elmira AIM offices, located at 350 West Church Street. It will feature Halloween decorations, a monster photo booth, a DJ, food and refreshments, and door prizes. Attendees are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, but they aren't required. The cost is $3.

The event is open to young adults 14 and older who live at home and have eligibility for services with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Attendees are welcome to bring guests.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Youth Program Specialist Amanda Gitchell at (607) 962-8225, ext. 210.

Open enrollment through NY State of Health, the state's health insurance marketplace, begins in November. AIM's Navigator Program provides free enrollment assistance in Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler and Allegany counties.

Enrollment begins Nov. 1 for those who don't already have coverage through NY State of Health, and Nov. 16 for those renewing or changing health plans for 2020.

Health plans from a variety of insurers are available through the marketplace. Financial assistance is available to lower monthly premiums, depending on income and household size. Some consumers may qualify for low-cost programs such as Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan.

AIM has NY State of Health-certified navigators available in Corning, Bath, Hornell, Elmira, Montour Falls, Watkins Glen and several communities in Allegany County. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. Assistance is free and confidential, and AIM has no ties to any insurers.

To schedule an appointment, call Navigator Program Coordinator Breanna Wilson at (607) 962-8225 or (888) 962-8244, ext. 118.

Family and Friends, a support group for those affected by addiction, will begin in November.

The support group is a partnership between AIM and CASA-Trinity. Beginning Nov. 7, the group will meet from 6-7 p.m. every Thursday at CASA-Trinity's location at 150 Lake Street in Elmira.

It will be a place where people can speak openly about the empathy, courage, struggles and achievements that are associated with addiction and recovery. It is free and open to the community, and while it is focused on family and friends, it's also open to those in recovery themselves.

For more information, contact Victoria Johnston of AIM's Family Support Navigator Program at (607) 962-8225, ext. 220.

	Adrienne Minichello