February may be the shortest month, but it was still packed with fun for participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs, as they celebrated the various holidays that fill the calendar and took part in special activities and excursions. At SYA in Nutley, participants learned how to draw a groundhog freehand to mark Groundhog’s Day, enjoyed a special shopping trip and party for Valentine’s Day, and created a beautiful poster to celebrate Black History Month. West Caldwell Hub marked Valentine’s Day with a party at Studio Arc that featured all things red and pink. They also enjoyed a bowling [...]

Featuring Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, and the 100th Day of School, February was a busy month full of celebrations for the students at Stepping Stones School. For Groundhog Day, the students learned about hibernation, shadows, and groundhogs, and enjoyed a pajama party. After the TK classroom watched a video of Punxsutawney Phil making his weather prediction, the children took turns creating their own shadows on the wall. On the 100th Day of School, students celebrated finally hitting triple digits after counting the days of the school year. As part of the day’s festivities, students listened to a 100 Day story, did 100 [...]

Participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Community Inclusion, Recreation, and Respite programs had a bustling month of fun activities in February. Gathering at Studio Arc on February 5, the Group Respite participants created beautiful and professional-looking Valentine’s Day cards using the Cricut smart-cutting machine, which they could then give to their loved ones for the holiday. The group also made Valentine candy boxes to take home, and enjoyed chatting with their peers while working on their projects. On February 19, a Mardi Gras celebration at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood included making colorful masks, wearing sparkly beads, and decorating cupcakes to [...]

Children in The Arc of Essex County’s Saturday Respite program celebrated Valentine’s Day with a party that featured a variety of holiday-inspired crafts and games. The group decorated giant hearts using beads, confetti, stickers, pipe cleaners, and other crafting materials. They also assembled puzzles and played board games and table-top foosball together. Participant Leo was excited to deliver cupcakes and gift bags from home to deliver to everyone in attendance. The Children’s Saturday Respite Program is a community-based program for children ages 5 to 21. The program participates in both community-based and in-center activities including visits to parks, festivals, cooking, arts [...]

At The Arc of Essex County, we seek innovative ways to carry out our mission. Whether it’s bringing new opportunities to those we serve or reimagining our living spaces, we are always pushing for fresh and inventive approaches to our work. That inspired thinking is evident throughout the 2021-22 Annual Report. The Arc invites you to read about the opening of Studio Arc, the new projects and curricula for recreation and day programs, the renovations in our group homes, and how they all fit into our strategic priorities. As always, the support of our donors, grantors, and families help make these [...]

This mild winter season may not be generating many snowy memories, but the residents of The Arc of Essex County’s group homes have been enjoying special activities, at home and out and about, throughout the season. Some highlights include a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner at home in Belleville for the Branch Brook residents, who also recently explored the Newark Museum of Art during a day trip. At the Washington Avenue group home in West Orange, they went all in for the Super Bowl, with a spread of delicious game-day treats and some friendly competition between the Kansas City and Philadelphia fans in [...]

Studio Arc was the backdrop for The Arc of Essex County’s Parents’ Night Out on February 24, where the children in attendance had fun making fake snow for a lively indoor snowball fight. The evening also included playing games on the interactive Obie projection table, participating in art and craft projects, and eating dinner together. Parents’ Night Out events provide children with an entertaining few hours while Arc parents can enjoy an evening to themselves, knowing their children are safely enjoying activities with their peers. The Parents Night Out program costs were offset by generous donations to The Arc of Essex County’s [...]

Rather than selling or trading in your used car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, RV, or boat on a trailer, consider donating it through The Arc of Essex County’s vehicle donation program. Proceeds from the sale of your donated vehicle will fund innovative and essential programs for children and adults living with developmental disabilities. The car donation program is an excellent way to support the largest service provider for children and adults living with developmental disabilities in Essex County. Donors can rest assured that vehicle donations to The Arc of Essex County will directly aid in these efforts. We work hard to maximize [...]

Runners and walkers who register for The Arc of Essex County’s 25th Annual Building Tomorrows event can still claim their free boxed lunch from Jersey Mike’s Subs, which is available for the first 300 registrants. The Building Tomorrows 5K Run and Family Walk will take place on Saturday, April 29 at the Clipper Pavilion in West Orange. The inclusive event will feature a scenic 5K race, followed by a fundraising walk and a Fun Fest packed with family-friendly entertainment and activities. All proceeds will directly benefit children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Registration is $30 for [...]

Although David was new to The Arc of Essex County’s services when he joined the West Orange Group Home in September, he immediately became part of The Arc family and settled into his new routine in no time. David particularly enjoys watching movies, playing games, and talking to loved ones—his girlfriend, his sister, his nieces—on the phone. “I like to be in my room the best,” he says, though he also was quick to mention the fun times he shares with housemates Jeff and John, the memories he makes attending the West Caldwell Hub Day Program, and how much he [...]