Author: Jessica Murphy

Three photos: Left, a man puts a marble into a chute made of orange, green, and yellow paper and blue straws; three people gather around the shoot; a man folds green paper while sitting at a yellow table.

Day Programs Get Creative

Participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs have let their creativity flow this winter. Each week, groups of Day Program artists from Bridges, Opportunity Zone, SYA, and West Caldwell Hub travel to Studio Arc to learn about different media and artistic styles and to try new techniques. Recent lessons included making colorful Valentine-inspired collages; replicating the “Golden Rule” painting by Normal Rockwell to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the beauty of all people; experimenting with gel-plate printing and collage to make cards inspired by print artist Chakaia Booker; and creating “kinetic” abstract painting using the movement of string and marbles [...]

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Turquoise background on the left, dark yellow background on the right. Text: The Arc of Essex County 2022-23 Annual Report: Promises Past & Future; Celebrating 75 Years of Service." The words past and future are written on arrows pointing in opposite directions.

Promises: Past & Future — The Arc of Essex County’s 2022-23 Annual Report

The Arc of Essex County recently released its Annual Report for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, titled “Promises: Past and Future.” The publication includes the year’s financial report, as well as a review of important initiatives and a celebration of the agency’s 75th anniversary. In reflecting on this milestone, what rose to the forefront was a promise that has sustained The Arc of Essex County throughout its 75 years: a commitment to help children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live their best lives, and to provide services and support with dignity and care. That promise is reflected throughout the report: It’s [...]

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Dozens of Camp Hope staff wearing blue Camp Hope t-shirts standing and sitting on the Camp Hope playground and facing the camera.

Camp Hope is Hiring!

The Arc of Essex County has openings for paid Camp Hope staff and volunteer “counselors in training” for the summer 2024 camp season. Paid positions include lifeguards, camp counselors, 1:1 behavioral counselors, and activity coordinators, and require a full seven-week commitment. The lifeguard position includes a $600 sign-on bonus. Volunteer “counselor in training” positions participate in all activities involving campers. CITs must be age 14 or older, and must commit to a minimum of one week. Located on six acres in East Hanover, Camp Hope is a summer day camp for children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental [...]

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The words "RESIDENTIAL CORNER" across images of four different homes and apartments. The Arc of Essex County logo in the bottom left corner.

March 2024 Residential Corner

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following March 2024 openings: Orange Community Residence (1 Male or Female Vacancy) 24/7 supervision Single-family style group home located in a turn-of-the-century mansion with spacious living areas Co-ed living arrangement with active group of residents Near shopping, dining, and activities Care based on individual needs South Orange Supportive Living Apartment (1 Female Vacancy) 1 bedroom available in a 2-bedroom apartment Minimal community living support needs Access to an emergency on-call system for added safety 24 hours a day Apartment-style living in 5-floor building with elevator Located steps from public transportation and South Orange’s vibrant downtown For additional information about [...]

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Red and white police lights with the word "Emergency" lit up in blue underneath. Dark background.

The Arc Partners with Essex County for Police Training

As part of its Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office invited staff from The Arc of Essex County to make a presentation that would help first responders become better acquainted with the needs and issues related to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The training provides law enforcement, 911 dispatchers, EMS, paramedics, and mental health professionals with knowledge and crisis resolution skills to respond to individuals in crisis that minimizes the potential for injury, and takes place quarterly throughout the year. Arc staff members in the clinical services and community services departments participated in the training on [...]

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Three photos of children playing with pretend snow. Left, a boy in red using a blue tray, middle, a boy in gray, red, and black using a green tray, and right, a girl in a red shirt playing with ice on a red tray.

Stepping Stones Kicks Off Healthy New Year

During the month of January, the children in the Stepping Stones School primary class have been learning about healthy habits, the five food groups, and creating a balanced meal, all to kick off a healthy 2024. The children conducted a science experiment to see how much grease is produced by different kinds of potato chips. The potato chip choices were regular, baked, kettle cooked, and from a tube. Students observed that when a potato chip is crushed on a sheet of paper it leaves a different amount of grease on the paper. The children had fun doing this experiment and tasting [...]

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Four adults around a table using brushes to decoupage multicolored paper on cardboard boxes. All are focused on the task in front of them.

Adult Recreation Enjoys January Activities

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. [...]

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The Candle Lighters Logo; Text: "Baskets 4 Buddies, A Winter Extravaganza. March 24, 2024 1 p.m., Hanover Manor, East Hanover."

Candle Lighters Fundraiser on March 24

“Baskets 4 Buddies: A Winter Extravaganza” will take place on Sunday, March 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. The fundraising event, hosted by the Candle Lighters, supports The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones Early Intervention program and other unfunded agency programs. The event is slated to feature 100 beautiful baskets valued at more than $100 each, a designer bag table, a wine pull, a 50/50 raffle, games, and a several grand prizes. Tickets cost $75 for a basic reservation (lunch and two sheets of prize tickets), or $115 for a deluxe reservation (lunch, [...]

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Three photos: Left, a woman in green helping a girl in blue put on a bracelet; center, a boy in green and a girl in blue selecting beads from a container; right, a girl in a pink Mickey and Minnie Mouse sweatshirt showing a beaded bracelet by holding up her arm.

Teens Enjoy New Classes at Studio Arc

Studio Arc has become the place to be for teens, with a variety of classes that provide opportunities for participants ages 13 to 20 to learn new skills alongside peers in a fun, creative atmosphere. Following a successful two-part mosaic class in December, teens enjoyed jewelry-making classes on January 20 and 27, where they crafted colorful bracelets and other accessories together. Coming up in February and March, a new STEAM-based series of classes will feature lessons that explore creativity and problem-solving with peers through science, technology, engineering & design, art, and math. Classes will run from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on February [...]

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A group of adults around a table painting in blue, green, and red on paper and on foil.

Studio Arc Buzzes with Activity

The vision for Studio Arc is coming to life as a spectrum of activities have been engaging The Arc of Essex County’s adult day program participants and residents, with more classes and activities regularly added to the schedule. Arc consumers have been studying an “artist of the month,” learning about their techniques and style, and then using a similar approach to create their own works of art. From Georgia O’Keeffe’s landscapes to Wayne Thiebaud’s still life paintings to Jean-Michel Basquiat’s bold collages to Claes Oldenburg’s sculptures, each month brings a new artist to be inspired by as Arc artisans complete their [...]

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