Two members of our Arc Essex family recently experienced a day they’ll never forget, thanks to a generous opportunity made possible by Governor Mikie Sherrill’s office and The Arc of New Jersey.

Governor Sherrill’s office selected The Arc of New Jersey to receive tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium through the Community Tickets program. The Arc of New Jersey, in turn, shared this incredible opportunity with chapters, including The Arc of Essex County. We were thrilled to provide tickets to two of our consumers, giving them the chance to witness one of the world’s biggest sporting events in person.

One of the lucky attendees was Bahad, a camper at Camp Hope, who attended the championship match with his parents. Together, they joined more than 80,000 fans to cheer on the finalists as Spain and Argentina competed for soccer’s biggest prize. Also attending was David, who is a resident of our West Orange Group Home, participates in our West Caldwell Hub Day Program, and enjoys taking part in our Community Inclusion activities. David attended the match with one of his Direct Support Professionals.

Opportunities like this highlight the importance of community partnerships and the impact they can have on the lives of the people we support. The Arc of Essex County is grateful to Governor Sherrill’s office and The Arc of New Jersey for making this extraordinary experience possible, and congratulates Bahad and David on being part of a historic moment in sports.