Parents, siblings, and grandparents of students gathered at Stepping Stones School on May 16 for a special “Family Fun Day” sponsored by The Candle Lighters. Students and their families were treated to lunch from the Pizza Vita Food Truck before gathering around tables in the school’s multipurpose room to eat together. Throughout the afternoon, families enjoyed art activities, games, and performances. The children loved dancing with their families as dance teacher Miss Leslie led the children in movement and song, ending the session with a read aloud of the book “Be You!” by Peter Reynolds. The day also included a visit [...]

The Arc of Essex County thanks the Kiwanis Club of Livingston for once again hosting a joyful day at the Kiwanis Karnival for Arc program participants and their families. On May 18, the Kiwanis Karnival celebrated “Barry Ross Arc Day” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by closing the event to the general public and welcoming consumers and families from The Arc of Essex County. More than 300 people registered through The Arc of Essex County to enjoy the event on this special occasion, including participants in the Children’s Saturday Respite, Adult Saturday Respite, Hotel Respite, and Residential programs, as well [...]

With a new “Tasty Treats” cooking class series, a revamped “Matinee and Mingle” movie club, and a variety of fun activities and outings, it was a busy spring season for participants in The Arc of Essex County's Adult Recreation Program. The May Madness party for Group Respite on May 5 featured games that encouraged creativity, independent thinking, learning, and role playing. The participants played bingo and other board games to win prizes, and also enjoyed a festive taco bar in honor of Cinco de Mayo. The party was a great way to celebrate the spring season and have fun with friends. On [...]

For some, it’s a headset and microphone, primed for an enthusiastic podcast discussion about a subject that is near and dear. For others, it’s music production software for creating new sounds and making adjustments to favorite songs. For a group of children, it could be a touchscreen that enables interactive lessons, combining hands-on STEAM activities with virtual learning.  No matter the age or the interest, when someone is given the right technological tools and permission to explore, the world opens up and possibilities are unlocked. The options are as boundless as cyberspace and as varied as the unique individuals with intellectual and [...]

For more than a decade, Al Ianacone and Susan Langler have been bringing beauty, nutrition, and flavor to the Arc group homes by planting gardens for residents, and this year was no exception. With the help of Susan’s husband Frank, the group installed gardens at Cedar Grove and Linden group homes and the Claremont Apartments, planting several types of tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, broad-leaf parsley, and marigolds. Donating their time, skills, and plants, the trio carefully prepared the soil, planted the seedlings, and watered the gardens, and in the coming days they plan to put down some special powder to repel rabbits [...]

In 2023, Clinton moved into his own apartment in The Arc of Essex County’s Park Place Apartment Program in Irvington, and in the year since, he’s enjoyed a balance of personal autonomy and staff support. “It’s my first time living on my own and it’s been great,” he says. Clinton, who is 33 years old, is active in various sports leagues and has regular visits with family. He is currently looking for a job, and travels to his activities and appointments using public transit. He has made friends among the nine other Arc residents who live in the Park Place apartments and [...]

After nearly 50 years of employment and a variety of roles in the agency, Anitra Wilson has retired from The Arc of Essex County. Anitra was 19 years old when she first started working in The Arc’s Home Assistance Program (HAP) after seeing an ad in the newspaper in 1974. Soon after, she was promoted to childcare specialist. She has been on The Arc team over the decades since, most recently working as Safety Manager for the Transportation and Property Management department. In her time working in the HAP, she focused on the babies in Arc programs and assisted families with everyday [...]

Rock the 21, a New Jersey-based nonprofit and supporter of The Arc of Essex County, is bringing back its “Rockin’ Scholar” Scholarship Program for people with Down syndrome. The organization’s mission is to raise awareness about Down syndrome, encourage inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to provide support and services for people with Down syndrome and their families. The scholarship program started in 2023 to help finance higher education and/or employment training for people with Down syndrome. Applicants must have a Down syndrome diagnosis and be enrolled in a certificate or undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or [...]

An Action Alert from The Arc of New Jersey: Tell the Senate President, Assembly Speaker and Budget Committee Chairs that we need to fund the following priorities in the FY25 Budget: Waiting List - The Governor included enough money to move 400 people off the List. We need $13 million more to move an additional 200 individuals, bringing the total to 600 people off the Waiting List in FY25.  DSPs - The Budget must include $42 million in the FY25 Budget to increase DSP wages by $1.25 an hour. DCF Camp Rates - We need $2.2 million to increase the camp rates which have only gone up by $2 [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following June 2024 openings: West Caldwell Group Home (1 Male or Female Vacancy) Single-family style home in a quaint neighborhood 24/7 supervision Care given based on individual needs Group enjoys taking day trips together, pursuing hobbies at home, and enjoying backyard picnics 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 trips together 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 [...]