In November, consumers from the West Caldwell Hub launched a new vending machine venture at the Durkin Building on Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell. The day program participants will maintain the stocking of the vending machine on a daily basis. They will also shop for new inventory, make weekly deposits to their account at TD bank, and ensure the patrons throughout the building are happy with the variety of options. This new program enhancement will assist with learning new skills such as money management, tracking inventory, sorting, stocking, customer service, problem solving, budgeting, and creating shopping lists. The Arc of Essex [...]

On November 30, The Arc of Essex County celebrated Giving Tuesday, a global movement that unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities. Thanks to the generous donations from so many of our supporters, we rocketed past our goal of $10,000 and surpassed $15,000 in contributions, which will support our newly established Community Recreation Fund. Nearly two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is reopening for many, but barriers continue to prevent those we serve from being able to fully participate in the recovery. Our community inclusion, recreation, and respite programs have always been vital to individuals [...]

A delicious meal, feathery crafts, gratitude games, and even a visit from a giant dancing turkey were all part of Stepping Stones School’s festive Thanksgiving celebration. Throughout November, a variety of classroom activities centered on Thanksgiving, with themes of harvest and gratitude running through the school days. Students in the primary class made their own butter to eat with crackers; transitional kindergarteners created colander turkeys and enjoyed a sensory bin of corn kernels, farm animals, leaves, and acorns; and preschoolers practiced eating their Thanksgiving feast on their own. All Stepping Stones students discussed things they are thankful for during this season [...]

In 2020, the CARES Act waived Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for retirement accounts. However, if you are 70 ½ or older and have an IRA, you will be required to take RMDs in 2021, or suffer significant penalties. To use your RMD to make a gift to The Arc of Essex County directly from your IRA as a qualified charitable distribution, all it takes is three easy steps: 1.            Before December 31, 2021, advise your broker/ financial institution to gift your IRA qualified charitable distribution to The Arc of Essex County. 2.            Your broker or financial institution contacts The Arc of Essex County. 3.            [...]

On November 30, more than 50 people from The Arc of Essex County’s group homes gathered to once again be treated to a festive Holiday Express celebration. With live music from the Holiday Express nine-piece band, seasonal decorations, character meet-and-greets (including Santa!), gifts, and lunch, the day was a welcome return to a favorite in-person activity after having to go virtual in 2020. The mission of Holiday Express is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year. The Arc of [...]

Two different Friendsgiving celebrations and a trip to Mount Airy Casino provided fun in-person social activities for The Arc of Essex County’s community inclusion, recreation, and respite consumers this fall. On November 7, a group of 10 adults traveled to Mt. Airy Casino, where they tried their luck at game machines (with some coming home with winnings!) and enjoyed a buffet lunch. On November 20, children gathered at The Arc’s Opportunity Zone program center in Maplewood for music, games, arts and crafts, a Thanksgiving feast, and more for their Friendsgiving celebration. And on November 21, our adult respite program met at the [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following December 2021 openings: Belmont Group Home (1 Male Vacancy) 1 bedroom available in this single-family style group home in a great Livingston neighborhood.24/7 staff supervisionCan accommodate residents with additional medical supports and aging needsThe residents have tight personal relationships and prefer quieter activities, but remain an active and fun-loving group Terrace Group Home (1 Male Vacancy) 1 bedroom available in 4-bedroom group home24/7 staff supervisionRecently renovated, single family, ranch-style home on a quiet, residential street in West OrangeMinutes from Eagle Rock Reservation, shopping, and recreationThe residents of this all [...]