In November and December, The Arc of Essex County rallied to support the families in our Home Assistance Program (HAP) with food, gifts, and winter essentials.

Thanks to a food drive across our Day Program sites, Stepping Stones School, and the main office, we collected hundreds of grocery items, plus donated gift cards from the Sumas Foundation, ensuring families had full pantries and refrigerators for the holidays. In our annual Day Programs competition, SYA claimed the win with the most collected items.

Arc staff and board members also stepped up, donating coats and pajamas tailored to each family’s needs. And with generous contributions from the Prudential ADAPT Resource Group, as well as toy donations from Livingston High School students, The Arc delivered gifts to all children and teens in the program.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed—you made the season brighter for our HAP families!

The HAP program provides services in the areas of transportation, community resources, housing, navigating school systems, recreation, and skill trainings to low-income families whose child and/or parent has an intellectual or developmental disability. The goal is to maintain the family unit, attain independence, and assist parents and families in becoming more self-sufficient both economically and personally.

If you or a loved one is interested in joining the HAP program, please contact Laurie Best, Senior Director of Children & Adult Day Services, to see if you qualify.  Laurie can be reached at (973) 535-1181 ext. 1264 or lbest@arcessex.org.