Author: Jessica Murphy

Two hands cupped together and holding a red heart object over a wooden white background.

Tribute Donations – Summer 2025

Tributes are a beautiful way to acknowledge those you care for, and at the same time, help further The Arc’s mission. To purchase a tribute, please call Ann Burleigh at (973) 535-1181 ext. 1245 or visit our tribute page here. Tribute Donations (July to September 2025): In Memory of Davey OwensAl Lasso In Memory of Jimmie GaspariniJen Jacovini In Memory of Kathleen ConstantinoElizabeth CarrollJessica MurphyBridget HinchcliffeMaureen O’ConnorMary ZubickiMichael RaimondoKevin and Patricia MooreVictory and Leonard OrzechowskiJoAnne Mastropasqua In Memory of Ruth Bird and Arthur TannenbaumMarianne Ribley In Honor of Glennise Renae HillmanSherleen Hillman In Honor of The Arc Hotel Respite Program Participants and StaffJames Ruiz Supporters can host Facebook Fundraisers [...]

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The Arc Spotlight, with a photo of a man with dark hair and the words" HUGO" "West Caldwell Hub Day Program"

Arc Spotlight: Hugo

Hugo joined The Arc of Essex County’s West Caldwell Hub Day Program in 2024 and quickly became immersed in the social scene there. He especially enjoys trips to go bowling or play miniature golf, and learning artistic skills at Studio Arc, where he is particularly fond of painting with different colors. Hugo is also very active in The Arc’s Saturday Respite program and frequently takes part in Adult Recreation weekend activities. Some of his favorite events are Zumba, Summerfest at Camp Hope, Hip-Hop Class, and the Brunch Cruise. When asked who he enjoys hanging out with in Arc programs, he smiles [...]

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A photo of a smiling woman with the words "Arc Staff in Focus: Therese Tomaiko"

Staff Spotlight: Therese Tomaiko

When Therese Tomaiko was in her thirties, she went back to school to become a lawyer, and picked up overnight shifts at a group home so that she could study at night while earning an income. “While I was there, I totally fell in love with the population, and I just couldn’t NOT work with them,” she says. “I decided I was going to stay in the field of developmental disabilities.” Over the next 30 or so years, Therese worked her way up through the ranks at different agencies, from the overnight shift to manager to coordinator to supervisor to regional [...]

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Webinar on a screen, with the words "Oral Health Care for Special Needs Population" and The Arc of NJ logo

Oral Health Care for Special Needs Populations Webinar

Sharing this important webinar update from The Arc of New Jersey: Webinar: Oral Health Care for Special Needs Populations This webinar will cover home care tips and helpful information regarding oral health and dental care for adults and children with disabilities. Learn about common oral health concerns, how to encourage good oral hygiene at home, and specific advice when visiting the dental office. Parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities are highly encouraged to attend! Thursday, October 9th, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm Register by clicking here. Speaker: Maria Czarniecki, DMD Dr. Maria Czarniecki is a dentist at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Special Care Clinic in [...]

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The Arc of Essex County "Residential Corner" with photos of four group homes

October 2025 Residential Corner

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following October 2025 openings: NEW! Beechtree Group Home (1 Male Vacancy) Single-family style home in a quiet West Caldwell neighborhood 24/7 supervision Fully renovated in 2024 Spacious deck for outdoor time Care given based on individual needs NEW! Linden Apartment Program (1 Male Vacancy) 1 bedroom available in a 3-bedroom Supervised Apartment in Bloomfield 24/7 supervision Large two-family home Located near public transportation and within walking distance of beautiful parks, shopping, and restaurants Current roommates enjoy spending time pursuing their own interests such as reading, watching TV, being active, going on community outings, and through art and [...]

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A woman smiles while holding up a canvas with blue paint.

Studio Arc Artists Make the Most of Summer

Studio Arc has been bustling with activity this summer, with studio visitors diving into everything from Zumba to garden harvests to jewelry making. August brought a focus on “unity in art,” where participants explored how colors, shapes, and lines come together to make a piece feel whole. It wasn’t just about technique, it was also a reminder of how much we can accomplish when we work together. After planting an array of flowers and herbs in the spring, the Garden Club celebrated its first potato harvest in August. Meanwhile, the Crochet Club has been busy making potholders and gearing up for [...]

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A boy smiles at the camera while laying in the shallow end of a walk-in entry pool. He has goggles on the top of his head.

Camp Hope Season Concludes

After a busy summer of entertaining campers of all ages, Camp Hope wrapped up its 69th season with two final weeks in August that focused on children and teens for days of summer fun and community. The home stretch of the seven-week season included Spirit Week and Around the World Week. From colorful crafts to cultural adventures, Camp Hope was full of energy and enthusiasm to close out the summer. Spirit Week featured tie dye, Wacky Wednesday, and the annual Color Wars battle that covered everyone in a rainbow of hues. Around the World Week took campers on a global journey, [...]

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Children listen to story time at Stepping Stones School

Stepping Stones Kicks Off New School Year

The first day of school at Stepping Stones on September 4 marked a busy and cheerful start to the 2025-26 academic year. Classrooms quickly settled into their routines, as students who moved up had already transitioned into new settings during the extended school year in July and August. Children engaged in a variety of activities—from saying the Pledge of Allegiance and reviewing the days of the week, to stretching during yoga, listening during storytime, and participating in imaginative play. Therapies were integrated into the schedule, supporting each child’s individual needs. It was a full and engaging day that set a strong tone [...]

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Four women stand together outdoors holding hand-made fans

Day Programs Gather for End-of-Summer Celebration at Camp Hope

On a Friday in late August, 100 participants across all five of The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs gathered at Camp Hope for a lively end-of-summer summer barbecue that featured music, movement, creativity, and connection. The celebration included a high-energy Zumba session led by the ever-enthusiastic Ms. Jaquetta, where participants danced using the tie-dye bandanas and colorful fans they had handmade. Throughout the day, the camp buzzed with activity as attendees played lawn games and explored the camp’s grounds. Creativity was in full bloom at the arts station, where partygoers used block printing techniques to decorate personalized canvas tote bags. Those [...]

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A woman helps a child play with blocks.

Shapiro Works to Empower Families from the Start

The Arc of Essex County’s Shapiro Early Intervention Program is a cornerstone of support for local families with children from birth to age three who are experiencing or are at risk for developmental delays. Funded by the New Jersey Department of Health, Shapiro provides in-home therapeutic and educational services tailored to each child’s unique needs, with staff who are extensively trained to meet the highest standards. Shapiro was established in 1984 and the administrative office is currently based out of The Arc’s Stepping Stones School in Fairfield. The program offers services that include occupational and speech therapy, social work, developmental intervention, [...]

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