Author: Jessica Murphy

Two men stand on either side of a woman, all holding a giant check made out to The Arc of Essex County. Behind them a banner for the Knights of Columbus Livingston, NJ chapter.

Knights of Columbus Donates to Arc Essex

The Arc of Essex County graciously accepted a generous donation from the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Mountains Council in September. The Livingston-Based Knights of Columbus #11982 presented a check for $1,620 to The Arc of Essex County during a special ceremony on September 17. The Arc was one of several organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who received generous contributions at the meeting. The Arc of Essex County thanks the Knights of Columbus members for their ongoing support of individuals with IDD and appreciates the generosity and commitment of the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of [...]

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An "I voted" sticker on top of an American flag, with The Arc of New Jersey logo on the top left.

The Arc of New Jersey Voting Guide Available

An important message from The Arc of NJ: For the past 75 years, The Arc of NJ has worked to ensure the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that includes the ability to make your voice heard by voting. Voting is an essential way to participate in our democracy. To help individuals with IDD and their families understand the voting process and to learn more about how to cast a ballot, we are proud to present our annual Get Out the Vote Guide for 2024. This Election Day, New Jersey residents will not only cast a ballot for a [...]

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

Tributes and Facebook Fundraisers – Summer 2024

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 2024): In Memory of Ann Marino Steve Hollander In Memory of Davey Owens Al Lasso In Memory of Elizabeth Waeschle Scott Nuzzo Patricia Wilson Kim Regan In Memory of Kathleen Manfra Kathleen Fernandez In Memory of Vincent Feliciano Belmira Matos In Honor of Felicia Raines Robert Petzinger In Honor of Glennise Renae Hillman Sherleen Hillman Supporters can host Facebook Fundraisers for birthdays and celebrations to raise money on behalf of The Arc of Essex [...]

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Dark blue background with a graphic of a candle and the text "The Arc of Essex County Remembers Berneda Fields" alongside a photo of a woman with short hair and glasses.

The Arc Remembers Berneda Fields

It is with great sadness that The Arc of Essex County shares that Berneda Fields passed away on September 30, 2024. Berneda has been a beloved member of the Arc family since 1982, residing at the Ashwood Group Home, and attending first Livingston CRC, and most recently West Caldwell Hub for day program. Berneda was a sweet, loving, strong, and lively woman.  Berneda was known for her signature jewelry collection of beaded bracelets, which she often showed off while having her nails done.   Berneda was adored by her housemates, who she equally loved and cared for. Berneda shared years of traditions [...]

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The Arc of Essex County logo. Text: RESIDENTIAL CORNER. Underneath the text, a photo of a yellow house, a photo of an apartment building, a photo of a brick house with a ramp.

October 2024 Residential Corner

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following October 2024 openings: Beacon (New!) (1 male vacancy) Single-family home on a quiet, dead-end street in Livingston 24/7 supervision Barrier-free home for wheelchair accessibility Located near shopping and dining Belleville Group Home (New!) (2 male vacancies) Two-family supervised apartment on quiet dead-end street 24/7 supervision Located near Branch Brook Park and other outdoor spaces Residents enjoy activities together, including trips to area destinations as well as picnics on their spacious deck Washington Avenue Residence (1 Male vacancy) Single-family style group home in a quiet Montclair neighborhood 24/7 supervision Within walking distance of parks and shopping Residents enjoy going on local [...]

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Blue background with The Arc logo and the text "Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award," with a photo of Linda C. Lucas, CEO of The Arc of Essex County.

CEO Linda C. Lucas to Receive Prestigious Award

The Arc of Essex County is proud to announce that Chief Executive Officer Linda C. Lucas has been selected to receive the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award from The Arc of the United States. Linda started her career with The Arc of Essex County in 1978 and has been CEO for more than 15 years. In that time, Linda has transformed the landscape of the organization with her significant acumen in housing development and improvements, progressive and innovative business strategies, endless care and commitment to the individuals served and their families, and stewardship of the agency’s hundreds of employees. Through Linda’s leadership, [...]

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A girl in pink plastic glasses smiles with a woman wearing a Camp Hope t-shirt, under a pavilion at Camp Hope.

Camp Hope Concludes a Fantastic 68th Season

For seven weeks this summer, campers had the opportunity to create new experiences at Camp Hope and enjoy an assortment of games and crafts connected to the weekly and daily camp themes. After a July filled with activities for all ages, August featured two weeks of camp for our youngest campers. The first week of August was themed “Color Wars,” and campers painted a variety of different types of rainbows, created rainbow fish out of tissue paper, tie-dyed shirts, and made spin-art masterpieces. They got colorful with the annual Color Run, which covered everyone in a mix of brightly colored paints [...]

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Four children and a woman are smiling and laughing together.

Communi-Play Returns for the Fall Season

After a break for the summer season, The Arc of Essex County’s Communi-Play sessions will return to Studio Arc this September, complete with music, movement, and learning for children ages 2.5 to 5. The communication parties will resume their bi-monthly schedule, with the first fall session to be held on Saturday, September 14 at 10:30 a.m. Additional sessions are scheduled for September 28, October 12 and 26, November 9 and 23, and December 7 and 21, with more dates through winter and spring 2025. These Saturday morning gatherings are offered by The Arc of Essex County at no cost to families, thanks [...]

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A montage of images of vacation destinations, golf courses, and restaurants, with the logo for The Arc of Essex County's 4th Annual Golf Classic 2024 and the words "Virtual Auction" at the center.

Virtual Auction is Open for 4th Annual Arc Golf Classic

Bidding is underway for the fantastic prizes featured in The Arc of Essex County’s 4th Annual Golf Classic Virtual Auction. The auction is open to all, and bidders do not have to attend the golf event on September 16 to win. Prizes can be viewed at ArcAuction.com, where bidders have the opportunity to win foursomes at local golf courses, weekend getaways, unique experiences, family day trips, and more. Prizes are being added regularly, so check back often before the auction closes at 6:45 p.m. on September 16. The Arc of Essex County Golf Classic will be taking place at the Crestmont Country [...]

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A group of four adults standing on a bridge amid a miniature golf course, overlooking a lake.

Adult Recreation Closes Out Summer With Robust August Calendar

The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation Program kicked off August with a delightful "Picnic in the Park.” Brookdale Park provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing Sunday afternoon, filled with laughter and leisure. Participants played lawn games, socialized, and enjoyed picnic food and cake together. On August 11th, Group Respite cooled down with a fun-filled "Ice Cream Sundaes and Karaoke" event. It was a treat to see everyone get creative with their sundaes, choosing from an array of delicious toppings. The day was made even more special with a lively karaoke session where participants sang their hearts out. The excitement continued [...]

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