July was a bustling month for campers at Camp Hope! After kicking off the season with “Happy Holidays” week, other theme weeks have included “Camp Olympics” week, with games and medals; a “Disney Week” that included days celebrating Toy Story, Moana, and more; “Blast Off Week” that had campers reaching for the stars; and finally “Calling All Superheroes Week,” which featured feats of strength and a talent show! Through it all, campers also enjoyed the playground, splash pad, pool, and activity field, where they participated in all kinds of traditional summer camp activities. Coming up in August, the campers will enjoy [...]

Stepping Stones School is in full swing with its six-week Extended School Year (ESY) program, designed to support continued learning and development through the summer months. The school’s theme this summer is “Amusement Parks,” with the children learning about different types of amusement parks, how the rides move (fast or slow, around, up or down, etc.), and what games and food they might see at the parks. Each week the classrooms have focused on a different theme park and incorporated it into lessons and activities. Parks in July include Hersheypark, Legoland, and Sesame Place; in August, they will focus on Universal Studios [...]

The Paper Mill Playhouse demonstrated its commitment to The Arc of Essex County community by donating 30 complimentary tickets to The Arc’s Hotel Respite program. This contribution, valued at $3,000, provided participants with the opportunity to attend a live stage performance of Disney’s beloved classic, The Little Mermaid. The Arc expresses its sincere gratitude to the Paper Mill Playhouse for its generous donation, which served as the highlight of the weekend for our Hotel Respite group. The Hotel Respite program gives caregivers and families a break while giving Arc consumers the opportunity to enjoy community inclusion with their peers. For additional information, [...]

The Arc of Essex County is thrilled to announce the return of its celebrated tasting event, Uncorked & Uncapped, now in its 7th year. Set for Thursday, September 25, 2025 at The Hanover Manor in East Hanover, NJ, this vibrant evening promises a sensory celebration of food, drink, and community spirit—all in support of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., guests will enjoy three hours of unlimited tastings from a curated lineup of local restaurants, breweries, wine distributors, and distilleries. This year’s vendor list already includes favorites like Parkside Social, Walia, Spuntino Wine Bar [...]

This spring, a trio of dedicated volunteers—Al Ianacone, Susan Langner, and Frank Langner—continued their tradition of preparing gardens at The Arc’s Cedar Grove, Washington Avenue, and Bloomfield group homes, where they planted a variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Armed with gardening tools and a passion for The Arc mission, the volunteers spent hours preparing garden beds, planting basil, parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, and colorful blooms. Al and Susan, both certified Master Gardeners, brought their expertise to the task, ensuring that each garden was not only beautiful but also functional. The gardens are interactive spaces that engage Arc residents and staff alike. [...]

For the last 25 years or so, if you visited Camp Hope, you almost certainly were greeted by Jesus. After attending as a camper during his childhood, Jesus joined the camp’s staff when he got older, and has been greeting campers, families, and visitors in the decades since. “I’ve been here a long time,” he says. He loves opening the gates for people and helping clean up around the grounds, and he especially loves the camp team. His favorite day at camp is when they have the annual car wash. The Arc of Essex County has been in Jesus’s family for years. [...]

It’s clear to anyone who crosses paths with Hasan Atkinson that he’s a people person. Throughout his life, Hasan has been drawn to connecting with the wider community—something that’s evident in his work as a minister since the age of 18 and his degree in sociology. “I’ve just always loved working with people,” he says. Hasan began his career as a teacher, a role he held for seven years, followed by another seven years at the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. During that time, he also worked part time at The Arc of Essex County in both the Life [...]

July was packed with energy, connection, and summer fun for the Adult Recreation, Respite, and Community Inclusion group. Memorable experiences included: Hotel Respite  from July 11 to 13, where participants enjoyed a relaxing weekend getaway filled with comfort and community. A Hip Hop Class on July 13, where a dynamic lesson brought participants together rhythm, movement, and personal expression at Beyond the Boogie in Montclair. Bowling on July 19 and 26, where everyone had a blast enjoying friendly competition and cheering each other on. A Cornucopia Brunch Cruise on July 20, where the scenic cruise along the Staten Island and New Jersey shorelines offered [...]

July has been a fantastic month for our residents, filled with fun and engaging activities that have brought folks together with their housemates as well as across residential homes. Some recent activities include: The guys at Cedar Grove gardening together (read the full story here) and enjoying 7/11 Free Slurpee Day The Bloomfield residents celebrating the Fourth of July with a back-porch barbecue that welcomed residents from other group homes, as well as a trip to Dave & Buster’s The gentlemen at the Beechtree group home attending a church carnival together The Verona Apartments residents taking an adventurous trip to Dorney Park The Oakwood Group [...]

The Arc of Essex County is grateful to announce that the Flagstar Foundation granted $25,000 toward art instruction at Studio Arc. The grant, which follows an initial $25,000 grant from Flagstar in 2024, helps support the Creative Arts Supervisor position at The Arc of Essex County’s Studio Arc space, allowing more opportunities for children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn new skills and create more works of art together. The Arc thanks the Flagstar Foundation for its generous contribution to our Studio Arc program.