Rochelle Dworkin joined The Arc family in 2009 and became a resident in the Linden Apartment Program in 2010. Rochelle was a vibrant, eclectic, and creative woman who grew up in New York City and Montclair.  She expressed herself through her clothing and jewelry; she made many of her jewelry pieces herself, as she was very talented at designing necklaces and bracelets. She was kind and conscientious, always asking others how they were doing and about their families. She often reminisced with staff about old actors, TV shows, and musicians. Rochelle loved watching soap operas, going shopping, reading books, working on crossword puzzles, [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following February 2022 openings: Verona Supervised Apartment (1 Male Vacancy) 1 Bedroom Available in a 3-Bedroom Supervised Apartment24/7 Staff SupervisionLarge 2 Family Home with Great Front PorchLocated near public transportation and within walking distance of Verona's downtown shopping & restaurants and the beautiful Verona ParkCurrent roommates are males ranging in age from early 20’s to late 40’s.  They enjoy spending time pursuing their own interests such as reading, watching TV, being active, socializing with friends, and occasionally participating in community activities as a group. Belmont Group Home (1 male [...]

The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute presents a new “Tell Us About” podcast series, featuring conversations about specific diagnoses and the community organizations that focus on them. Topics include: Asperger Syndrome (Listen now to the January 18th podcast)Cerebral Palsy (Available February 9th)Fragile X Syndrome (Available February 23rd)Rett Syndrome (Available March 8th)Tourette Syndrome (Available March 23rd)The Autism Spectrum (Available April 5th)Prader-Willi Syndrome (Available April 20th)Down Syndrome (Available May 10th) To listen to the podcasts as they become available visit: https://www.thearcfamilyinstitute.org/what_we_do/podcasts/tell-us-about.html

Despite construction delays due to the omnicron outbreak of COVID-19, progress is moving along at two of The Arc of Essex County’s group home renovation projects. The Bloomfield group home, which is undergoing an extensive renovation to its first floor, is one step closer to residents returning after passing January inspections. The $300,000 project involves interior and exterior renovations to increase accessibility, with a reconfiguration of the interior first floor space and an expansion of the back deck. At the Linden Apartment, the second-floor kitchen project is complete, and the first-floor kitchen renovation is just beginning. Each renovation involves gutting the existing [...]

Thanks to generous grants, two of The Arc of Essex County’s group homes’ residents will no longer have to worry about losing power during severe weather and other emergencies, and our Glen Ridge families are getting a boost of support. The Emil Buehler Foundation granted $7,000 toward the purchase of a 22kW all-encompassing generator for the Orange Group Home, which houses six residents. The Joseph and Yetta Weisberger Fund for the Aged, Poor and Needy granted $1,600 toward the reimbursement of The Arc’s purchase and installation of a 22kW all-encompassing generator for the Millburn Group Home, which houses four residents. The Glen Ridge [...]

The Arc of Essex County is currently accepting applications for the 2022 camp season, which will run for seven weeks, from July 5 through August 19. Visit the Camp Hope website (arccamphope.com) to apply; registration opened for returning campers on February 1 and will be open to new campers on February 15. Applications will be processed as they are received. For application questions, contact Stacey Kerstner at (973) 535-1181 ext. 1292 or camphope@arcessex.org. Camp Hope has been providing an exceptional camp experience for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1956. Located in East Hanover, NJ, the camp property features [...]

After two years as a virtual event, The Arc of Essex County will once again host the 24th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run and Family Walk in person on Saturday, April 9th at The Clipper Pavilion in the South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange. Entertainment and activities will also take place on site. JOIN US as we run, walk, and celebrate being together, as we raise money for children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, and other with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Register today at www.RunOrWalk.org. Run Information: The 5K run kicks off at 9 a.m. and features a beautiful, tree-lined course around [...]