Participants in the Community Inclusion and Group Respite program enjoyed several fun events during the month of January.

On January 21, the group attended a Decoupage Art Class at Studio Arc, where they made decorative boxes using different materials and embellishments while learning about decoupage techniques. They each took home their unique pieces after spending the afternoon learning new skills alongside their peers.

On January 28, they gathered at the Opportunity Zone for a Soup Day Party. The group made their own individuals bowls of soup and hot biscuits, answered silly “Get to Know You” questions, and played board games with friends. It was a fun and cozy way to spend a chilly January day.

The movie and bowling groups gathered in January for their favorite activities, and Hotel Respite enjoyed an action-packed weekend from January 26 to 28, which included a trip to SeaQuest Woodbridge. There, participants had the chance to meet a mermaid, explore the touch tank, and come face to face with a variety of underwater creatures. Saturday Respite and After-Work schedules were also bustling with seasonal activities. Some highlights for participants included making new year resolutions and setting goals for 2024, learning about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and celebrating National Pie Day.

If your loved one with intellectual or developmental disabilities is interested in educational programming, community experiences, seasonally themed events, or weekend group respite programs, you can learn more about all of these activities at The Arc’s Recreation Services page, and view the Winter-Spring Recreation Catalog. Activities include art classes at Studio Arc, trips to Medieval Times, Mount Airy Casino, and more, and fun seasonal parties. Contact Assistant Director of Adult Services Dacia King-Sarkodie at (973) 535-1181 ext. 1272 or dking@arcessex.org for more information.