Camp Hope is in session, and the festivities are already going strong! The first week of the 2025 camp season began on June 30, with a “Happy Holidays” theme to kick off the summer. Activities this week included singing thankful songs for Thanksgiving; making colorful slime, musical shakers, and crowns for Mardi Gras; crafting love bugs and heart art for Valentine’s Day; and adventuring through a Fourth of July scavenger hunt, in addition to the pool, sports, music, and other fun activities each day. The camp was closed on Friday, July 4 for the holiday, but will return on July 7 [...]

Students and families gathered for a music-filled ceremony to mark the end of the Stepping Stones 2024-2025 school year. The event, hosted at Studio Arc, celebrated all the children achieved during the year and recognized the students who will be moving up to the next classroom level. Held on June 13, the event was relocated across the street from the school in order to showcase the entire school at once and accommodate all the families in the audience. The ceremony began with a welcome from Principal Kassie Pierinelli, followed by the students progressing to the front, youngest to oldest. The Pledge [...]

Studio Arc has become a vibrant hub for connection and camaraderie through its monthly “Man Cave Monday” and “Girls’ Night In” gatherings. These events draw participants from across The Arc of Essex County’s group homes and residences. Man Cave Mondays, designed for the men, offer an engaging variety of games and spirited competition, fostering teamwork and bonding. Meanwhile, Girls’ Nights In provide a creative oasis for women, where arts and crafts take center stage, allowing participants to express themselves and collaborate on colorful projects. Both gatherings culminate in a shared meal and conversation. The popularity of these events has soared, reflecting [...]

Children and teens who participated in The Arc’s Social Skills sessions received certificates, a goodie bag of fidget toys, and a special paper heart with messages from their classmates during their last session on June 10. The classes, which ran most Tuesdays from January to June, were held at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood. Ages 5 to 10 met from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and ages 11 to 15 met from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. During that time, social worker Casey Dickson and a team of staff would lead the participants through a series of activities together. They would begin by [...]

The 2024-2025 season of Communi-Play has come to an end, leaving families and young participants with wonderful memories and valuable skills. This program, designed for children ages 2.5 to 5 and offered at no charge to Arc families, focused on building communication and conversation skills such as listening, eye contact, body language, and gestures. Held at Studio Arc in Fairfield, it offered two classes each month, from September to June, totaling 20 Saturday morning sessions. A standout feature of Communi-Play was its emphasis on parent involvement, creating a supportive space for children to grow with their families by their side, [...]

Residents of The Arc of Essex County’s group homes and apartments have enjoyed various activities such as day trips, holiday celebrations, and birthday parties. Recent events include: Three residences (West Caldwell and Beechtree group homes and 705 Apartments) celebrating Juneteenth together with a barbecue Verona Apartments visiting Eagle Rock Reservation, going to the movies to see Karate Kid, swimming at the Verona Town Pool, and enjoying an ice cream run to Rita’s The Beechtree Group Home visiting the Turtle Back Zoo The Washington Avenue Residence going to the movies together Newark Apartments celebrating Michael’s birthday with a White Castle-themed party Terrace Ave residents attending Prom with [...]

The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs have been bustling with activities, including: SYA celebrating SYA Fun Day, engaging in community walks at the Verona Park Trail, Watchung Park Trail, and Branch Brook Park Trail, and visiting Dave & Busters, Rita’s, and Applegate Farm, as well as getting out to eat and shop at local restaurants, stores, and flea markets West Caldwell Hub visiting the Paterson Museum and enjoying the view at Paterson Falls Bridges participants celebrating Adam’s birthday and taking a trip to Verona Park to cool off in the mist machines Visits from all of the day programs to Studio Arc for [...]

Toddlers, children, and teens have been taking part in a variety of educational and engaging activities offered by The Arc of Essex County. Recent programming has included: Children’s Saturday Respite visiting Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant on June 14 Parents’ Night Out, hosted at Camp Hope on June 20, featuring art projects, board games, and playing on the outdoor playground, basketball court, and splash pad Social Skills classes celebrating the completion of the children and teen programs, which ran from January to June (click here to read more) Communi-Play sessions that provide festive and music-based communication lessons for children ages 2.5 to 5 (click [...]

Participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation, Group Respite, and Community Inclusion have been busy with recent activities, including: A wreath-making class at Studio Arc on June 8, where crafters made vibrant wreaths to reflect the summer season Casino Royale Day on June 22, where participants enjoyed a rotation of casino games and won prizes An action-packed Hotel Respite weekend from June 27 to 29, which included a trip to see The Little Mermaid at Paper Mill Playhouse, bowling at Linden Lanes, and June birthday celebrations A cake and pizza-making class on June 29, in which budding chefs chose their own pizza [...]

The Arc of Essex County is deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the 2025 Spring Appeal, including those who gave on June 11, The Arc’s “Day of Giving.” Donors’ generous support helped unlock a generous $5,000 matching grant from Rock the 21 as well as $12,000 from anonymous donors—amplifying the impact of every dollar raised. These contributions will help expand and enhance sensory spaces across our Arc program centers and at Stepping Stones School, supporting children and adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout our programs. Such spaces are vital for promoting comfort, focus, and well-being for [...]