It was an adorable scene as families came together at Iris Yoga Studio in Bloomfield for a free babies and toddlers yoga class on May 20 as part of a celebration of Early Intervention Week. The event, geared towards children and their families receiving Early intervention services, featured an hour-long yoga class that parents and toddlers could participate in together. It was presented by The Arc of Essex County, FamilyLink, NJEIS, and Iris Yoga. At the end of the class, each participant received a goody bag. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, “children develop at different paces, but there are [...]

On May 15, Stepping Stones School families were invited to the school for a fun-filled afternoon to celebrate the school’s 50th Anniversary. This event brought together students, families, and staff, many dressed in festive 1950s-themed attire. Families enjoyed delicious food from the Pizza Vita food truck and sweet treats from the Towne Scoop ice cream truck, courtesy of The Candle Lighters. In addition, a special display of photos from the past 50 years decorated the bulletin boards, showcasing memories from throughout the school’s half-century history. And with a jukebox-themed photo backdrop, many attendees took photos that will someday be part of [...]

A group of The Arc of Essex County’s Day Program participants visited Studio Arc on May 29 for a special photography session, led by a member of The Arc’s IT staff. Michael Jimenez, who works in the IT department and also has a business as a photographer, spent more than an hour with adults from the West Caldwell Hub and Opportunity Zone day programs. He showed them his camera equipment as well as a series of photographs he had taken—including candid street photography, posed models, city landscapes, and sportscar closeups—while explaining how he framed and edited each shot. Participants had the [...]

The Arc of Essex County’s Senior Director of Development and Communications Heather Comstock was honored as Professional of the Year at The Arc of New Jersey’s Award Celebration on May 20. The Arc of New Jersey’s annual event, held at the Imperia in Somerset, was an opportunity to highlight and thank the individuals, organizations, and corporations that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state. “It is truly wonderful to be able to recognize what can only be called the best of the best of our community,” said The Arc of New Jersey Executive Director Thomas Baffuto. “Tonight’s award recipients [...]

The Arc of Essex County’s Camp Hope summer day camp still has openings for both campers and volunteers for parts of the summer 2025 season. There are still spaces available for campers of all ages who don’t require 1:1 staff during the month of July. To learn more, contact Camp Hope Senior Manager Ynit Cody at camphope@arcessex.org or by calling 973-535-1181 ext. 1279. During the month of August, there is still a need for volunteer “counselor in training” positions. CITs must be age 14 or older, and must commit to a minimum of one week at camp, where they will participate in [...]

The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation, Group Respite, and Community Inclusion participants have been enjoying a busy spring season. Recent activities have included: A Cinco de Mayo Spring Fling party on May 4, where partygoers played games, won prizes, danced, and enjoyed a Mexican meal with their peers Bowling trips to Bowlero Belleville on May 3, 17, and 31, where the group bowled two games and enjoyed a pizza lunch and a beverage of their choice A fun Hotel Respite Weekend from May 16 to 18, with 23 participants partaking in a variety of activities together, including a trip to the movies, [...]

The residents of The Arc of Essex County’s group homes and apartment programs have been enjoying the spring weather and exploring the community together. A sampling of recent activities includes: Festive Memorial Day Weekend barbecues at group homes, including at Ashwood, Oakwood, and Seven Oaks Seven Oaks residents enjoying a movie night, community dinners, and strolls through the park The Belleville Group Home attending a Memorial Day parade The Washington Avenue group home visiting the Willowbrook Mall to pick out t-shirts for themselves, going to Applegate Farms for ice cream, attending a live concert in town, and enjoying grocery shopping with staff Women and men [...]

Toddlers, children, and teens have been taking part in a variety of educational and engaging activities offered by The Arc of Essex County this spring. Recent programming has included: A free yoga class for babies and toddlers as part of Early Intervention Week (click here to read the full story) Children’s Saturday Respite activities, including a Mother’s Day craft project, playing Angry Birds Mini Golf at American Dream, engaging in new games together at the Obie interactive table, and shopping at Five Below as part of the money-management curriculum Social Skills classes for children and teens at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood every [...]

The Arc of Essex County is pleased to announce that The Lillian Schenck Foundation has generously granted $2,500 to the Camp Hope Fee Assistance Project. The funds will allow low-income children from across northern New Jersey to attend the 2025 Camp Hope season. Located in East Hanover, N.J., Camp Hope welcomes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the summer season with a property that features a beach-entry swimming pool, accessible-friendly playground, splash pad, basketball court, outdoor pavilion, and expansive recreation field. Learn more at ArcCampHope.com. The Arc of Essex County extends its sincere appreciation to The Lillian Schenck Foundation for its [...]

Alec is new to The Arc of Essex County scene in 2025, moving into the Beacon Group Home in Livingston and joining the West Caldwell Hub Day Program in January. He describes himself as an active person, and says he’s been happy to take part in a wide range of activities at The Arc. Some of his hobbies include yoga and photography, and he’s excited that he can practice both on WCHUB’s trips to Studio Arc. He especially loves photographing classic cars. Alec says he enjoys his roommates and likes being so close to lots of things to do. “I like [...]