While Having Fun at Home
Beginning on Friday, March 13, The Arc of Essex
County’s residential programs began practicing
social distancing as a way to remain healthy amidst
the COVID-19 outbreak. While this meant the
cancellation of Adult Recreation & Respite and Day
Programming outside of the home, The Arc remains
committed to maintaining a regular daily schedule full
of engaging activities.
Residential and Day Program staff teamed up to
execute this new approach. For the Millburn Group
Home, this meant developing a weekly calendar of
activities that incorporates every residents’ interests.
Activities include in-home spa days, karaoke and
music classes, arts & crafts, and staying active
through chair yoga, dancing, and neighborhood
walks.
The Nutley Group Home and many others adopted a
similar approach. Nutley residents enjoyed making
personal-pan pizzas, baking and decorating
cupcakes, taking in the blooming cherry blossoms, and completing puzzles to name a few.
The Arc of Essex County would like to recognize and thank our direct support professionals (DSPs) who
are reporting to work every day to support the consumers living in our residential services. These frontline staff are caring for our residents as they would their own family. It is only with the extraordinary hard
work and dedication of the staff, especially the DSP’s, that The Arc of Essex County can continue to
provide the necessary direct care and support to our residential consumers in an unprecedented
environment.
If you or a loved one are interested in pursuing an independent living placement with The Arc of Essex
County, please contact The Arc’s Director of Residential Service, Rebecca Lorusso via email at
rlorusso@arcessex.org or by calling (973) 535-1181 ext. 1270. For additional information about The Arc
of Essex County’s residential services, click here.