Arc participants were in the spotlight creating works of art, practicing yoga, and exploring interactive games as CBS News featured Studio Arc in a segment on the local news on Friday, December 2. Reporter John Dias spent a day documenting the many innovative programs offered at Studio Arc and interviewing our artisans, as well as Studio Arc director Evelyn Gallik and The Arc of Essex County CEO Linda Lucas. John and his team captured a variety of different activities and helped tell the story of The Arc—and, specifically, Studio Arc—to the wider world. Jamie Diguglielmo was one of the artisans featured, and [...]

Important information from The Arc of New Jersey: For students with disabilities, an IEP team meeting must be held by December 31, to discuss the need for compensatory services related to the COVID pandemic. These meetings must address any missed services or disruption of academic progress that occurred between March 18, 2020 and September 1, 2021. Compensatory education can come in many forms, some of which are tutoring services, additional therapy time, and Extended School Year. It can be provided before or after school, on weekends, during the summer, or during school hours if it does not interfere with the student's [...]

The Arc of Essex County has received a grant of $4,000 from the Glen Ridge Community Fund. The funds will support children and adults who are Glen Ridge residents and participate in programs or services such as Camp Hope, Bridges Day Program, Behavioral Supports, Children's Saturday Respite, Special Young Adults Day program, and Self-Hire Respite. The Arc is grateful for this generous contribution from the Glen Ridge Community Fund.

Participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Recreation, Respite, and Community Inclusion events in November enjoyed a fun trip to the Mt. Airy Casino and a lively Friendsgiving Celebration. The trip to Mt. Airy Casino in the Poconos on November 6 included time to try the various slot machines and other games of chance on the casino floor, where some of our participants were lucky enough to score some winnings! The group also enjoyed a meal together at the resort. In the lead up to Thanksgiving, Arc participants enjoyed a Friendsgiving celebration on November 20 at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood. In [...]

In spirit with the season of giving, the participants in The Arc of Essex County’s SYA Day Program in Nutley created cards of encouragement to send to children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The group recently learned about “true beauty” and explored the idea that it’s not the outward appearance of someone that is most important, it’s kindness and a genuine concern for others that exemplifies true beauty. With that in mind, they created uplifting cards to send to the children at St. Jude. The group thoroughly enjoyed the idea that their creations will cheer up the children and [...]