Two members of our Arc Essex family recently experienced a day they'll never forget, thanks to a generous opportunity made possible by Governor Mikie Sherrill's office and The Arc of New Jersey. Governor Sherrill's office selected The Arc of New Jersey to receive tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium through the Community Tickets program. The Arc of New Jersey, in turn, shared this incredible opportunity with chapters, including The Arc of Essex County. We were thrilled to provide tickets to two of our consumers, giving them the chance to witness one of the world's biggest sporting [...]

This summer, based on feedback from parents and caregivers, The Arc of Essex County hosted five weeks of Parents' Night Out events at Camp Hope. Held on Tuesday afternoons from 3 to 6 p.m., the program gave children and teens ages 5 to 20 the chance to enjoy all the fun Camp Hope has to offer while parents and caregivers could take a few hours for themselves. Whether it's running errands, enjoying a quiet meal, spending time with other family members, or simply relaxing, families could recharge knowing their loved ones are in a safe, supportive environment. Running weekly from July 7 [...]

For Ni'Yanna at Opportunity Zone Day Program, a job sampling program at Grandma Emma's Bakery in Maplewood became much more than a Jobs Club activity. “I knew right away that I wanted to work there,” she says. Fittingly, it soon became her first job. After completing The Arc of Essex County's inaugural Jobs Club training program at Grandma Emma's Bakery in Maplewood, Ni'Yanna was hired by the bakery and now works there every Thursday from 2:15 to 6:15 p.m. Ni'Yanna has participated in several Jobs Club experiences, including job sampling at The Office Tavern + Grill in East Hanover and her current hospitality [...]

As students at The Arc of Essex County's Stepping Stones School enjoy another summer of learning, they're also making plenty of time for fun during the school's six-week Extended School Year (ESY) program. Every Friday, the entire school comes together for "Team Time," a special schoolwide event tied to that week's theme. One recent favorite transformed the school into a World Cup celebration, complete with soccer-inspired games and activities that encouraged teamwork, movement, and lots of cheering. The World Cup was also an inspiration for a variety of soccer-themed sensory activities and educational lessons during the summer. Water play has once again [...]

The fun is still going strong at Camp Hope, where campers are celebrating a very special milestone this summer: 70 years of Camp Hope! Since 1956, Camp Hope has provided children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a place to build friendships, try new experiences, and enjoy everything that makes summer unforgettable. The season has been packed with creativity (and some serious laughter!). Campers have traveled through the Four Seasons, celebrated holidays from throughout the year, tested their skills during Game On! Week, and explored everything from astronaut training and dinosaurs to safaris, rainbows, and an underwater-themed day that [...]

The Arc of Essex County is celebrating the professional growth of two staff members who recently completed New Jersey's inaugural Frontline Supervisor Training (FLS) Program, a nine-month leadership development initiative designed specifically for frontline supervisors in the disability services field. Christy Campbell and Shamirah Suggs-Morin, Program Managers from Opportunity Zone and SYA Day Programs, respectively, were among more than 25 supervisors from provider agencies across New Jersey selected to participate in the program. Offered through a collaboration between The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities and Direct Support Workforce Solutions at the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration, the competency-based training [...]

The Arc of Essex County continued its Arc Hero tradition on July 22 by surprising five exceptional staff members at their workplaces with the news that they had been selected as the organization's second-quarter Arc Heroes of 2026. The recognition celebrates employees who go above and beyond in living The Arc's values of collaboration, commitment, excellence, generosity, and respect. The Q2 Arc Heroes are: Debra McGauley-Eichhorn, Creative Arts Manager Tyrone Jacobs, Residential Manager Esther Mensah, Direct Support Professional Emily Fernandez, Social Worker, Stepping Stones School Hope Haslam, Direct Support Professional Each winner was nominated by coworkers who witnessed the extraordinary impact they have on the people supported [...]

Summer was in full swing as participants in The Arc of Essex County's Adult Recreation program embraced opportunities to explore the community, express their creativity, and spend quality time with friends, including: On July 11, participants laced up their bowling shoes for an afternoon at Bowlero Belleville, where friendly competition, teamwork, and plenty of cheering made for another exciting outing. On July 12, participants attended Maplewoodstock, the annual arts and music festival, where they enjoyed live performances, browsed vendor booths featuring artwork, crafts, and unique gifts, and shared lunch while taking in one of the area's favorite summer traditions. Movie lovers gathered on [...]

Residents across The Arc of Essex County enjoyed a fun-filled July, celebrating birthdays, spending time with friends, and making the most of the summer season through special outings and house events. The Nutley Group Home came together to celebrate the Fourth of July with a festive holiday lunch and dinner. Residents from the Beechtree Group Home also took advantage of the beautiful summer weather with a visit to Grover Cleveland Park. At the West Caldwell Group Home, everyone gathered to celebrate Jennifer Hamdan's 40th birthday. The Bloomfield Group Home had plenty to celebrate as well. Residents wished Tariq a happy 45th birthday, calling him [...]

Participants across The Arc of Essex County's Day Programs have been staying busy this summer, celebrating creative accomplishments, preparing for new community opportunities, and reaching exciting employment milestones. The green thumbs at Bridges Day Program growing some veggies, including peppers and tomatoes. The Jobs Clubs at different program centers continue to expand their knowledge and skill sets. Opportunity Zone participants recently began working at the DoubleTree by Hilton. At West Caldwell Hub, participants are preparing for their next community-based experience, getting ready to start in-center lessons designed to build the skills and confidence they'll need before heading into the community for their [...]