On April 4, dozens of The Arc of Essex County’s Day Program participants gathered at Studio Arc to tune in to The Arc of New Jersey’s Self-Advocacy Project Virtual Spring Luncheon, where the group was honored for winning first place in the annual Developmental Disability Awareness Month video contest.

The video reflected the contest theme, “Plan for Tomorrow, Act Today,” and showed Arc participants practicing various skills in an effort to move closer toward their long-term goals. (Click here to watch the video.) Votes for the video, which was developed and performed by Arc participants at Studio Arc in February, were tallied by the number of likes they collectively received on various social media channels. In addition to being honored at the luncheon, the group was given a gift card from The Arc of New Jersey.

Arc program participants watched the luncheon presentation while sitting around festively decorated tables to celebrate the award. As part of the ceremony, The Arc of New Jersey played the winning video, and those in the room cheered and smiled when they saw themselves and their friends on the screen. Following the virtual presentation, the group enjoyed a pizza lunch together.

The Arc of Essex County congratulates the winners, as well as the participants from other Arc chapters throughout the state for their hard work and creative videos that encouraged viewers to plan for tomorrow by acting today.