As we come up on two years of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all weary of hearing about closures, quarantines, and other life interruptions caused by the virus. With that in mind, we are encouraged by all that The Arc community made possible, despite the headwinds we all faced during the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

A robust Camp Hope season that provided normalcy for campers of all ages.

An in-person school year at Stepping Stones that helped ensure our students received the education and therapies they needed.

Extensive planning for 13 of our residences to receive significant upgrades and improvements.

These are just some of the ways The Arc of Essex County was able to continue forward amid the swirling uncertainties of fiscal year 2020-2021, and these success stories are outlined in our 2020-2021 Annual Report, which you can view by clicking here.

Our operations were not spared the effects of the pandemic, of course. In addition to substantially adjusting our procedures to further protect our consumers and staff, many of our programs were forced to pause for safety reasons. Wherever possible, though, The Arc worked diligently to bring support to our community. We created virtual programming, coordinated vaccination clinics for our consumers and their families, and provided opportunities to connect and engage. For decades, The Arc of Essex County has served individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their loved ones. That experience empowered us to quickly rise and meet the moment when our families needed us most. Read about our efforts in our 2020-2021 Annual Report today.