On March 26, Studio Arc had the honor of hosting Gina Beavers, a New Jersey-based artist who has shown her work in special exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and other prestigious venues. She is known for her realistic and textured paintings and sculptures that often depict everyday objects, food, and social media images. Artists from all four Arc Day Programs had recently completed paintings and collages, which featured mouths, eyes, and food items and were inspired by Beavers. The visit from Beavers was a memorable experience for The Arc's artists, who enjoyed interacting with her, learning from [...]

More than 20 teams have already signed up for The Arc of Essex County’s 26th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, Family Walk, and Fun Fest, which is coming up on Saturday, April 27. The event will take place at the Clipper Pavilion in West Orange and will feature a scenic 5K race, followed by a fundraising walk and a Fun Fest packed with family-friendly entertainment and activities, including a children’s cooking station from Chef it Up, creative projects from Indigo Art Studios and the Montclair Art Museum, a bubble station with OMG Bubbles, Monster Mini Golf, lively music from Dancing DJs, [...]

March was a month full of excitement and learning at Stepping Stones School, as students and staff started making memories at their new building in Fairfield. The students celebrated reading in many ways during Read Across America Week, listening to stories read by parents, siblings, and friends who visited as guest readers. They also had fun dressing up for special spirit days, including crazy hair day and international day. On March 15, students from the Deron School visited Stepping Stones and helped the children create St. Patrick’s Day themed wooden crafts and coloring pages together. Stepping Stones students also celebrated World Down Syndrome [...]

Animal Yoga, Tumbling Ninjas, and Teen Jam Band are among the new classes scheduled for The Arc of Essex County’s youngest participants at Studio Arc this spring. Offered on Tuesday afternoons, Animal Yoga will allow young yogis, ages 6 to 12, to learn simple animal and nature poses to stretch, move, and calm their bodies and minds. Participants will join friends in fun yoga games to reinforce what they learn, explore the world through play, and socialize with one another. Classes are scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. on April 2, 16, and 30, May 14, and June 4 and 18, [...]

On March 24, the Hanover Manor was filled with excitement and generosity as more than 250 people attended the "Baskets 4 Buddies" tricky tray and raffle event organized by The Candle Lighters. The Candle Lighters are a group of dedicated volunteers who raise funds and awareness for The Arc of Essex County's Stepping Stones School and Early Intervention programs, which serve children with intellectual and developmental disabilities from birth to age 10. The event offered more than 150 amazing prizes for guests to win, including Apple products, a pizza oven, a large-screen TV, a Cricut machine, designer handbags, beautiful jewelry, themed [...]

March was a month full of fun and excitement for the participants in The Arc of Essex County's Community Inclusion, Recreation, and Respite programs. They enjoyed a variety of activities that celebrated the arrival of spring, the luck of the Irish, and the joy of friendship. On March 10 a Community Inclusion group visited the Mount Airy Casino, playing on game machines and enjoying a buffet lunch together. The trip is always a crowd favorite and this year’s was no different. Community Inclusion participants also enjoyed a visit to the movies and several bowling trips during the month. Group Respite had a [...]

After nearly 41 years with The Arc of Essex County, Assistant Director of Community Services Candes Reid retired on March 18. Candes’s entire Arc family wishes her the best in her retirement and thanks her for decades of service to the families we serve. Candes started working for The Arc in 1983, beginning with overnight shifts at the Bloomfield group home. She would soon switch to weekends, eventually moving up to be an assistant manager at the West Orange Community Residence, and later become manager. Over the years, Candes held many different titles, trying new things when opportunities arose. “Every time [...]

The Arc of Essex County is pleased to announce that Camp Hope has received three generous grants. The Orange Orphan Society has granted $15,000 to Camp Hope, with $11,150 going toward the Camp Hope fee assistance program for young campers from Maplewood and the Oranges, and $3,850 going toward camp equipment. In addition, The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation granted $10,000 toward general operating support for Camp Hope. The William E. Simon Foundation has also made a Director’s Designated Gift of $5,000 to Camp Hope for general operating support. Located in East Hanover, N.J., Camp Hope welcomes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities during [...]