President Biden has nominated Paul Aronsohn, New Jersey’s Ombudsman for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, to the President’s Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities. This committee advises the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to people with IDD. The twenty-one committee members include people with intellectual disabilities and their family members, researchers, service providers and other professionals, community and business representatives, and systems advocates. Three others who join Paul on the nomination slate have ties to The Arc, including The Arc of the US, The Arc of Philadelphia, and The Arc of Massachusetts. Paul [...]

In March, The Arc of Essex County launched a completely redesigned website, with a new look that is brighter, happier, and more vibrant—all traits that reflect The Arc of Essex County community. The redesign, which was years in the making, streamlines sections of the website to make it easier to use and more intuitive for our web visitors. In addition, The Arc partnered with Recite Me to ensure the site is as accessible as possible for those who view it. The accessibility toolbox (featured at the top of each page when “Accessibility Tools” is clicked) opens to include an audio read-aloud [...]

March featured a variety of activities and events for The Arc of Essex County’s adult recreation participants. The Opportunity Zone in Maplewood was transformed into a New Orleans Mardi Gras scene, as the group enjoyed pancakes with their favorite toppings, fried chicken, and cupcakes that they made and decorated themselves. They also had fun making Mardi Gras themed masks while they chatted and spent time together. In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, participants again met at the Opportunity Zone, where they played games, made shamrock wreaths, and feasted on sloppy joes and corn beef and pastrami sandwiches. A spring Sip & Paint event [...]

The Arc of Essex County is pleased to announce that the Orange Orphan Society has generously granted $10,000 toward Camp Hope fee assistance for children residing in Maplewood and the Oranges, and an additional $5,559 for new camp equipment. Located in East Hanover, N.J., Camp Hope welcomes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the summer season. The Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement granted The Arc of Essex County $20,000 to be used for the Nutley Group Home bathroom renovation project. We thank the Orange Orphan Society and the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement for their generous contributions to support [...]

The Arc of Essex County’s day programs were busy with fun activities in March. At SYA in in Nutley, participants continued on their quest to become virtual citizens of the world, most recently focusing on Australia. One of the lessons was that Australia celebrates Harmony Day on March 21, which recognizes the diversity of the country. To commemorate Harmony Day at SYA, the consumers created artwork that represents the countries that they or their ancestors are from. The slogan of Harmony Day is “Everyone Belongs” and that is most definitely true at SYA, where Ghana, Italy, Ireland, Puerto Rico, England, Germany, [...]

One of The Arc of Essex County’s Community-Based Supports participants, Danny, as well as Life Management participant Adotheus, enjoyed an afternoon discussing nutrition and healthy food options. They both prepared a tossed salad with grilled chicken and talked about the proper way to handle and use a knife. Community-Based Support is an individual program that supports individual strengths and encourages independence while teaching life skills. To learn more about The Arc of Essex County’s day service offerings for adult consumers, click here.

Camp Hope is preparing for the 2022 summer season with new merchandise! A quarter-zip pullover, blue long-sleeve tees, and both white and blue camp baseball hats are now part of the Camp Hope store, and can be purchased here. White tees, hoodie sweatshirts, cinch bags, and water bottles continue to be available, allowing campers and their loved ones to display camp pride wherever they go. This year’s fun-filled camp season will start on July 5 and run for seven weeks, through August 19. Registration is still open, visit www.ArcCampHope.com for more information. Job opportunities, including for camp counselors, lifeguards, and camp nurse [...]

After two years as a virtual event, The Arc of Essex County is thrilled to once again welcome the community in person to its 24th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run and Family Walk on Saturday, April 9 at the Clipper Pavilion in West Orange. The inclusive event will feature a scenic 5K race, followed by a fundraising walk and family-friendly entertainment. All proceeds will directly benefit children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The venue, within the South Mountain Recreation Complex, features free, convenient parking as well as a flat, scenic course for runners and walkers. Event [...]