For the past 15 years, a familiar face -- and plenty of familiar dance moves -- have brought energy, music and smiles to Adult Recreation participants at The Arc of Essex County. Jaquetta Perry, affectionately known by many Arc participants as “Zumba J,” has been leading Zumba sessions with The Arc for a decade and a half. And although the classes provide a fun way to get moving, Jaquetta says what has kept her coming back year after year is the connection she has with the people she’s teaching. “The Arc has truly become family over these 15 years,” she says. A [...]

Students returned to the classrooms at The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School on September 3, ready to learn, reconnect with friends and teachers, and kick off another exciting school year. The start of school follows a busy summer at Stepping Stones, where the six-week Extended School Year (ESY) program wrapped up in August. Once again, ESY offered a blend of learning and fun, helping students continue working toward their educational goals while enjoying plenty of memorable summer activities. Now, with the 2026-27 school year officially underway, students and staff are looking forward to everything the fall has in store. In [...]

Camp Hope closed the book on a milestone summer in August, wrapping up its 70th season of fun and friendship for campers of all ages. Since opening its gates for the season on June 29, campers spent seven weeks enjoying the activities that have made Camp Hope a beloved summer tradition since 1956, including swimming, arts and crafts, sports, games, and plenty of opportunities to connect with friends and try something new. Each week brought a new theme and a fresh lineup of activities. Campers traveled through the four seasons, celebrated favorite holidays, put their skills and teamwork to the test during [...]

Get ready to raise a glass for a great cause! The Arc of Essex County’s Uncorked & Uncapped returns for its eighth year on Thursday, October 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Hanover Manor in East Hanover, bringing together an impressive lineup of food, wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, and more for one of the agency’s signature fundraising events. Guests will enjoy three hours of tastings set to live music, with dozens of vendors offering flavors from around the region and beyond. Best of all, proceeds from the evening support The Arc of Essex County as they empower children and [...]

For Jaquan, Camp Hope has long been a place filled with fun and familiar faces. This summer, however, he experienced camp from a whole new perspective as a paid employee. Jaquan, who lives in The Arc of Essex County’s Belleville Group Home, attended Camp Hope as a camper in the past. This year, he returned to the East Hanover campus as a member of the maintenance team, helping keep camp clean and running smoothly throughout its 70th anniversary season. “I used to come here as a camper, and now I’m working here,” Jaquan says. “It feels so great to work and to [...]

The SYA Photo Club took its photography skills on the road for its first-ever community outing, visiting the Car Lofts in Fairfield that is filled with an impressive collection of vehicles. Participants had the chance to explore the facility, snap plenty of photos, and pick out their favorite cars along the way. One especially memorable highlight was getting an up-close look at the most expensive car in the facility, valued at $900,000. The first Photo Club trip was a great success, giving participants a fun opportunity to practice the photography skills they’ve been learning at Studio Arc while exploring a unique setting. [...]

This summer, The Arc of Essex County was proud to welcome interns through an internship program sponsored by a generous grant from the Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program. Over the course of the summer, our interns brought enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and a willingness to learn while making meaningful contributions across several areas of the organization. Two interns, Brooke and Jessica, spent their summer supporting Camp Hope, where they helped create an engaging summer experience for campers. Francesca and Robert served as Events and Communications Interns, assisting with preparations for our upcoming Uncorked and Uncapped fundraiser and gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit [...]

August was packed with opportunities for participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation programs to get moving, try something new, spend time with friends, and make the most of the final weeks of summer. Activities included: On August 2, participants got cozy for Pajamas, Poetry & Puzzles at Opportunity Zone, where they wore their favorite PJs and enjoyed an afternoon of creativity, reflection, puzzles, and time with friends. The Bowling group hit the lanes at Bowlero Belleville on August 8 and 22, enjoying some friendly competition while practicing taking turns, keeping score, and cheering one another on. On August 9, participants [...]

Summer fun continued across The Arc of Essex County’s Residential Services, with residents getting creative, enjoying time outdoors, showing off their skills, and gathering with friends for plenty of fun. Activities at group homes and apartment programs included: Girls Night In participants bringing a little bit of the beach to Studio Arc by creating colorful beach-themed photo frames during their August get-together. Man Cave Monday embracing tropical vibes with a festive luau and karaoke party. Residents at the Beechtree Group Home making the most of their outdoor space, spending time together on the back deck while working on arts and crafts projects. At the [...]

Participants across The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs have been making the most of the final weeks of summer, getting out into the community, building job skills, exploring their creativity, and enjoying time together. Bridges Day Program participants have been keeping busy both at the program and out in the community. They continued tending and growing vegetables at Studio Arc, hit the lanes for a fun bowling outing, went shopping, enjoyed community lunches together, and teamed up on creative art projects. SYA celebrated summer birthdays and soaked up the season with a special Summer Fun Day, giving participants a chance to [...]