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 (April to June 2026): In Memory of Davey OwensAl Lasso In Memory of Mary TranchettiNicolas SchmidtMark IppolitoBarbara Aranowitz In Memory of Nancy Barrett WalshJoanne Walsh PrierBruce BirdEd Grossman In Memory of Nicole FiorillaVeronica M. Hunt In Honor of Glennise Renae HillmanSherleen Hillman In Honor of Bob GebroeKevin Reilly In Honor of Montclair Rock VoicesLisa Cerasia In Honor of Robert DunphyCaitlin DiRuggiero Supporters can host Facebook and Instagram Fundraisers for [...]

Camp Hope officially opened its gates to campers on June 29, welcoming children, teens, and adults with IDD for another summer of growth, fun, and friendship. This year marks a special milestone as The Arc of Essex County's Camp Hope celebrates its 70th season serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Campers arrived at the East Hanover campground for the start of the 2026 season and immediately reunited with friends, met new counselors, and jumped right into a full schedule of activities designed to create lasting memories throughout the summer. The opening week's theme, "Four Seasons Week," gave campers the [...]

Students, families, and staff gathered at Studio Arc on June 17 to celebrate the end of the 2025-2026 school year at Stepping Stones School. The annual moving-up ceremony highlighted the achievements of students throughout the year and recognized those who will be moving on to new schools in the fall. Students processed from the school to the nearby Studio Arc multi-purpose space, where families and friends were ready to cheer them on as each class performed songs they had practiced with their classmates. The ceremony included an acknowledgement of children who are moving up to the next classroom level, and extra special [...]

A group of architecture students from the New Jersey Institute of Technology visited The Arc of Essex County's Beechtree Group Home on June 15 to learn firsthand how thoughtful residential design can support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while maintaining the comfort and character of a neighborhood home. The visit was part of an NJIT architecture course focused on inclusive and community-based housing design. Accompanied by their professor, Judy Choi, seven students toured the home and met with members of The Arc's team to better understand the challenges and opportunities involved in creating living environments that are both accessible and [...]

A heartfelt story originally published in the Guardian about the dedicated women who have spent decades caring for residents at Arc Essex's Claremont Group Home recently gained even wider attention, inspiring News12 New Jersey to share their remarkable story with viewers across the region. The News12 segment, which aired multiple times on May 16, highlighted the extraordinary commitment and compassion of the Claremont team members whose careers have been defined by their unwavering support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their decades of service have helped create a warm, stable, and nurturing home for generations of residents. To watch the segment, [...]

The Arc of Essex County welcomed Robert D. Laurino, Esq. as the next President of its Board of Trustees, effective July 1, as Stephen V. Falanga, Esq. concluded his four-year tenure leading the organization. Laurino, who previously served as President from 2006 to 2010 and had been the most recent First Vice President, was handed the gavel at the end of the board’s Annual Meeting in June. Falanga’s connection to The Arc began through his son, Matthew, who attended Stepping Stones School. Motivated by a desire to give back to the organization that played an important role in his family’s life, [...]

June was packed with opportunities for Arc of Essex County adult participants to socialize, learn new skills, and enjoy time in the community. Highlights from the month included: Picnic in the Park on June 7, when participants spent the day at Verona Park enjoying lunch, outdoor games, and beautiful views Woven, Wonder, Weaving at Studio Arc on June 14, when individuals explored fiber arts and created their own woven projects while learning new creative techniques Bowling Saturdays on June 13, 20, and 27, where participants enjoyed friendly competition, teamwork, and plenty of fun at Bowlero Belleville; the June 27 gathering also featured an [...]

Residents across The Arc of Essex County's residential programs continued to enjoy a variety of community outings, celebrations, and opportunities to spend time together throughout the month, including: The women from the Orange Community Residence treating themselves to a relaxing nail outing and celebrating Juneteenth at Maplewood Memorial Park Residents from 45 Beechtree enjoying a visit to Riker Hill Art Park, cooling off with smoothies, relaxing together on the back deck, and taking neighborhood strolls Residents from Irvington Avenue Apartments attending the Juneteenth Food Truck Festival on June 19 Bloomfield residents heading to the movies to see Toy Story 5 together Newark Apartment Program residents [...]

The Arc of Essex County's Children's Services programs continued to provide fun, enriching, and engaging experiences for children and families throughout the month, including: Saturday Respite participants putting their money management skills into practice during a shopping trip to Five Below, where they practiced budgeting, making purchasing decisions, and completing transactions. The group also visited a quilt art show in Clifton, where they had the opportunity to meet the featured quilt artist and learn more about the beautiful quilts on display. Communi-Play wrapping up another successful season of communication lessons through musical play, with its final classes of the 2025-26 program year. [...]

You can’t miss Alex at Arc programs. Not just because he’s always smiling, but because he goes out of his way to greet anyone who visits. In addition to being a longtime camper at Camp Hope and Day Program participant at West Caldwell Hub, Alex has been an Arc resident for more than eight years, recently moving from the Verona Apartments to a new group home in Belleville, where staff say he has adjusted wonderfully to his new room and housemates. At Camp Hope, Alex is both a happy participant and a helper, and often brings a speaker around with him to [...]