Throughout December, the residents in The Arc of Essex County group homes and apartments enjoyed a mix of festivities at home and fun adventures in the community. Some highlights include:

• West Essex UNICO provided a Christmas dinner for 27 residents and staff at the Beechtree, West Caldwell, Green Ave, and Cedar Grove group homes on December 18. The Arc is so grateful for UNICO’s continued generosity toward our Arc community.
• Terrace Avenue Group Home hosted a holiday celebration with all the residents and their families, which included baking cookies, singing Christmas carols, and completing an art project together.
• The Park Place apartment residents gathered together in their most festive holiday outfits for a party and dinner together in the complex’s meeting room.
• The Newark Apartment residents went holiday shopping together and attended a Christmas party with Santa.
• Oakwood Group Home received a visit from Santa, enjoyed a cozy Christmas Eve pajama dinner, and opened gifts together.
• The Linden Apartment Program made gingerbread houses together and went bowling to celebrate a resident’s birthday.
• Girls Night In at Studio Arc brought together women from across The Arc’s residential programs for an Ugly Sweater Party where they decorated their stockings.
• Man Cave Monday at Studio Arc, featuring men from Arc residential programs, also featured ugly sweaters, as well as a visit from Santa, caroling, and making man-cave ornaments together.

For additional information about The Arc of Essex County’s residential services, contact The Arc’s Senior Director of Residential Services Rebecca Lorusso via email at rlorusso@arcessex.org or by calling (973) 535-1181 ext. 1270.