For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following January 2023 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 Maplewood Supervised Apartment Program (2 Male Vacancies) 24/7 Staff Supervision Condo-style living in a unit with elevator Off-street parking Located near public transportation and within walking distance of Maplewood's downtown shopping & restaurants South Orange Supportive Living Apartment (1 Female Vacancy) 1 bedroom available in a 2-bedroom apartment Minimal community living support needs Access to an [...]

Singers from the United Presbyterian Church of Lyndhurst visited The Arc of Essex County’s SYA Day Program in December, where program participants led their peers in a cheerful singalong session of holiday carols. From Jingle Bells to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree to Silent Night, three singers and a melodica player from United Presbyterian led a series of favorite holiday tunes, which the day program attendees thoroughly enjoyed. Many day program participants led their peers in singing at the front of the room, while others sang and toe-tapped along from their seats. In addition to their singing voices, many added to [...]

A group of talented Studio Arc artisans spent the autumn months creating Winter Wellness Kits, using their craftmaking and Cricut skills to assemble beautiful boxes packed with homemade self-care items. Six women from the Opportunity Zone day program in Maplewood made weekly visits to Studio Arc to craft handmade soaps, lip balms, linen/room sprays, bath salts, and sugar scrubs infused with essential oils. The decorated boxes also included cards of encouraging affirmations as stated by the artisans themselves. When the kits were completed, the group visited The Arc of Essex County’s main office to sell them for $25 each, proceeds will be [...]

With activities and celebrations for Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's, the students at Stepping Stones School had a busy December packed with festive fun. On December 9, students from The Deron School of New Jersey visited Stepping Stones for their annual gathering. In addition to playing fun games and activities, the Deron and Stepping Stones students completed a craft together -- a cute wooden snowmen for each of the children to take home. On December 15, the annual Stepping Stones Holiday Party welcomed families and a visit from Santa Claus. The children got to meet with Santa, sing holiday [...]