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 2023): In Honor of Robert DunphyCaitlin DiRuggiero In Honor of Lee BergmanMadeline DreifusBetsy Bergman In Memory of David OwenAl LassoAdrienne C. Singleton In Memory of Barbara ErmatingerRichard Romanowski Blue Snap In Memory of Susan T. WrightRichard Wright Supporters can host Facebook Fundraisers for birthdays and celebrations to raise money on behalf of The Arc of Essex County. We are very grateful for [...]

From making rainbow art to traveling the world, Camp Hope campers have been enjoying a variety of fun games and activities to kick off the 2023 camp season! Starting with Holiday Week, campers celebrated the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, and Cinco de Mayo, with games and crafts that related to each holiday they were celebrating. Favorites included patriotic musical chairs and homemade maracas! During “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Week, campers painted rainbow fish using celery to make scales, assembled rainbow art with popsicle sticks, and even made gold slime. Parachute play was a great way to enjoy some colorful shade. For [...]

Residents in The Arc of Essex County’s group homes have been taking in the summer season with fun activities and adventures. At the Marmon Apartment Program in West Orange, residents celebrated Roy, Kevin, and Patrick's birthdays by putting together a carnival-themed birthday party and inviting other homes to celebrate with them. Residents in the Branch Brook group home in Belleville visited the Orange Park Music Festival together, taking in the music (and the ice cream!). The Park Place Apartment Program has been seeing the sights, visiting the Irvington Carnival and enjoying day trips to Dorney Park and Seaside Heights. For additional information [...]

Registration is open for The Arc of Essex County's 3rd Annual Craft Beer Open, taking place on Monday, September 18, 2023 at Crestmont Country Club in West Orange.  The event will feature 18 holes of golf with on-course craft beer tastings and a post-event cocktail and awards reception. On-course tasting partners include Dogfish Head, Four City Brewing Company, Autodidact Beer, Jersey Cyclone, and Links Drinks; reception tasting partners include Organic Vintages, Sourland Mountain Spirits, Chef Jesse Concepts, and Sweet Kneads by Ridhima, with more being added regularly. Event check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and a 1 p.m. shotgun [...]

The month of July took The Arc of Essex County’s recreation participants to a variety of fun summertime locations, including Maplewoodstock, Point Pleasant, and Camp Hope. On July 9, the Community Inclusion group made their way to Maplewoodstock, a fun local music festival at Memorial Park in Maplewood. There, they danced along to the live music, visited the vendor booths, and enjoyed their time together. The following weekend featured a Group Respite barbecue at Camp Hope on July 19. Partygoers enjoyed the splash pad, games, music, and summer fun together. To close out the month, Community Inclusion participants went to Point Pleasant on [...]

The Arc of Essex County thanks Arc parents Karen Marshall and Joan Romaniello, along with Karen’s brother Stephen Marshall, who donated a Cricut machine to the SYA day program. The Cricut is a crafting tool that will enhance arts and crafts projects for the SYA day program participants. Consumers and staff are so grateful for this gift, which is sure to get plenty of use in the days to come. Do you have a loved one interested in attending The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Day Services?  Click here to learn more about our programs, and reach out to The Arc of Essex [...]

The Arc of Essex County’s bowling participants celebrated the end of another fantastic bowling season with their annual banquet at Bowlero in Belleville. During their Saturday bowling sessions, the group enjoyed physical activity while learning how to take turns, keep score, and demonstrate good sportsmanship. The annual end-of-year banquet honored each bowler, and all participants received a medal and a trophy. The group also enjoyed a meal together. The recurring bowling activity is part of The Arc of Essex County’s Community Inclusion program. If your loved one with intellectual or developmental disabilities is interested in joining, you can learn more about bowling [...]

It is with deepest sympathies that The Arc of Essex County shares the passing of Jamal Price. Jamal has been an endearing member of The Arc family since he moved into our services in 2009. Jamal was a kind soul who would do anything to make everyone smile. He was loved deeply by his mother, Angela Price, and by his Orange group home housemates and staff. Jamal loved to play basketball, go to the park for walks, and socialize with his peers. When he wasn’t enjoying being social and active, you could find him relaxing or catching a quick nap in his favorite recliner chair.  To [...]

The Arc of Essex County is deeply saddened to share news of the passing of longtime Arc family member  Miles Terrell. Miles attended our children services, as well as Camp Hope, before joining The Arc’s Bridges day program upon his graduation. Miles enjoyed visiting local libraries, volunteering at food pantries, and other activities with his Bridges friends, and a highlight was going to a local restaurant for lunch on Fridays. Miles had a great sense of humor and fully enjoyed life, taking in a variety of hobbies and pursuits. All of his peers and staff at Bridges will remember him fondly [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following August 2023 openings: Belmont Group Home (1 Male vacancy) Single-family style home Located in a great Livingston neighborhood. 24/7 supervision Can accommodate residents with additional medical supports and aging needs Meadowbrook Condo (1 Male or Female Vacancy) Unlicensed two-bedroom condo in Maplewood Candidates would be on the Supports Program Close to public transportation Care based on individual needs 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 active group of residents Near shopping, dining, and activities Care based on individual needs Maplewood [...]