On November 1, Kathleen Hinnigan-Cohen became the new Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Essex County after being selected by the board of trustees to assume the leadership role following the retirement of longtime CEO Linda Lucas. “I’m honored to follow in Linda Lucas’s footsteps as the new CEO,” Kathy says. “I’m looking forward to bringing new ideas and a comprehensive vision that carries the legacy of this organization forward and helps extend our reach. I’m committed to serving with passion and will work tirelessly with our staff as we support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and give them [...]

This November, The Arc of Essex County’s episode of the acclaimed documentary series, "Empowered," hosted by Meg Ryan, will debut nationally on local public television stations, and will air throughout the coming year. The series is known for spotlighting organizations and individuals who are making a difference in their communities, and The Arc’s story is a powerful example of inclusion and innovation for people with IDD. The documentary highlights The Arc’s mission and viewers will get an inside look at the programs and services that make The Arc of Essex County shine, from early intervention and childhood education to adult day [...]

October was a month full of energy, learning, and community spirit at Stepping Stones School. In recognition of Fire Safety Awareness Month, the Fairfield Fire Department paid a special visit to the school on October 15. Firefighters gave an engaging presentation on fire safety, including showing children what a fully dressed firefighter looks like (and how they may look intimidating at first, but they’re there to help!) and how to act in a fire emergency. In the parking lot, the firefighters allowed the children to explore the FFD fire engine up close and even try on some of the equipment. The school [...]

A collection of Arc of Essex County’s vans were transformed into a festive fleet for a Trunk or Treat celebration at the West Caldwell Hub on Halloween. Each van was creatively decorated with spooky and silly seasonal flair, such as Jungle Adventure or Frankenstein. Dressed up in playful and frightful costumes—from Scooby Doo to Freddie Kreuger and everything in between—participants visited each trunk to collect treats including candy, cookies, yogurt, and pudding cups. Vans were allocated for special dietary needs so that everyone could participate if they wanted to join in the fun. The Arc of Essex County’s Day Program participants [...]

On October 3, five self-advocates and two staff members from The Arc of Essex County attended the 41st Annual New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (NJSSAN) Fall Conference at the Pines Manor in Edison. The sold-out event, hosted by the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project (NJSAP), brought together more than 200 attendees for a day of inspiration, empowerment, and celebration. This year’s theme, “Play Your Part,” highlighted the importance of every individual’s role in advocacy. The conference featured a dynamic keynote presentation by Patrice Jetter, a New Jersey native, Special Olympics champion, and star of the Emmy-nominated Hulu documentary Patrice: The Movie. In [...]

October was a busy month for participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation Program, with programs that included: Bowling at Bowlero Belleville on October 4 and 25. Fun-filled Saturday Group Respite days on October 4 and 18. A visit to the Kiwanis Street Fair on October 5, where the group enjoyed rides, entertainment, live music, arts and crafts, and delicious food together. A pumpkin picking and hayride trip to Alstede Farm in Chester on October 19, where the farm animals and farm store were a hit. A busy Hotel Respite weekend on October 24 to 26, including Halloween fun. The Halloween Spooktacular Dance on [...]

The spooky season was in full force at The Arc of Essex County’s residential programs, who enjoyed Halloween celebrations as well as other autumn activities: The Verona Apartment and Belleville Group Home programs met up for a dinner out at a restaurant together. The Beechtree Group Home enjoyed an “Paint and Sip” activity outside on their back deck during a beautiful autumn day. Verona Apartments residents went to the Verona Township Canteen Night, and took trips to the local park, the mall, and the ice cream shop. The Girls’ Night In gathering at Studio Arc drew women from across The Arc’s group homes together [...]

Throughout October, children enjoyed a wealth of engaging activities that blended fun, learning, and socializing, filling the month with excitement and opportunity for families, including: Studio Arc’s much-loved Communi-Play sessions on October 11 and 25 for children ages 2.5 to 5, which delivered communication lessons through hands-on activities, guided play, and song. Sign up for future sessions at bit.ly/communi-play Social skills classes, held weekly on Tuesday afternoons at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood, which help children build confidence and interpersonal skills. After a September that focused on bravery, October sessions were all about taking turns. Saturdays saw the Children’s Saturday Respite program in [...]

This holiday season, your support can provide quality time and meaningful connection to so many in The Arc of Essex County community. Your gift toward The Arc’s respite programs will help create unforgettable moments for children, teens, and adults—whether it’s laughter during Saturday Respite, creativity at After-Work sessions, new adventures during a Hotel Respite Weekend, or the magic of a Parents’ Night Out. These experiences aren’t just fun—they’re essential. They offer caregivers the gift of rest, reflection, and renewal while providing safe and engaging opportunities for all ages. Your generosity makes these moments possible. Please donate to our 2025 Annual Appeal today and help [...]

Henry started with The Arc of Essex County at SYA Day Program in 2013 and joined the After-Work Program in 2018. He is a huge fan of visiting Studio Arc, where he says he loves painting and learning new things. He also enjoys going on group bowling trips and trying all kinds of foods, so he especially looks forward to international lunch outings in the community. When he’s not in Arc programs, Henry says he spends time listening to jazz music, and likes singing along to Nat King Cole and Ray Charles. To learn more about our Day Programs, reach out to [...]