For many families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, navigating a busy airport and boarding an airplane can feel overwhelming. On Saturday, October 17, The Arc of Essex County helped make the prospect of air travel a little less intimidating through a Wings for All event at Newark Liberty International Airport. Fifty families registered for the event, which offered children and adults with IDD and their loved ones the opportunity to experience the steps involved in air travel in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Designed as a realistic rehearsal for a future flight, Wings for All gives families the chance to practice [...]

The Arc of Essex County is excited to announce plans for a new supervised apartment program at Hillcrest Farms in Verona, with a tentative opening in fall 2027. The program will offer one two-bedroom apartment and one three-bedroom apartment in a licensed residential setting, combining the independence of apartment-style living with structured support tailored to each individual's needs and personal goals. Conveniently located near downtown Verona, residents will have easy access to local shops, restaurants, and other community amenities. The Arc is currently seeking potential residents who have some independent living skills and are interested in an apartment-style living arrangement. The program [...]

Halloween brought plenty of tricks, treats, costumes, and creativity to The Arc of Essex County's Day Programs. Across all locations, participants and staff celebrated the spooky season with festive activities designed to bring everyone together for some Halloween fun. At SYA, the Halloween festivities kicked off Friday morning with an on-site party featuring pumpkin painting, a costume contest, and plenty of dancing. Participants also enjoyed lunch together as they showed off their costumes and celebrated with friends and staff. Over at Bridges, the program transformed into a trick-or-treating destination, with decorated tables throughout the building offering sweet treats for participants to collect. [...]

October was a busy and exciting month at The Arc of Essex County's Stepping Stones School, with special outings, visits, celebrations, and plenty of opportunities for students to learn and have fun together. The month kicked off on October 5 with a trip to Turtle Back Zoo for the annual Elks Friendship Festival. Students enjoyed a day outside the classroom, exploring the zoo and taking part in a special community event. The following day, the Fairfield Fire Department paid a visit to Stepping Stones for a fun and educational fire safety presentation. Firefighters McLoughlin and Foti taught students and staff about different [...]

From painting and crafting to exploring science and technology, creativity is taking center stage at Studio Arc. The Arc of Essex County's creative space in Fairfield has been buzzing with activity this fall, thanks to an expanded lineup of classes for children, teens, and adults. The new offerings are providing opportunities to explore interests, develop skills, and connect with others. For adults who love to create, Open Studio takes place on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., offering time to explore artistic interests in a welcoming, creative environment. On Fridays from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Creative Connections provides another opportunity for [...]

More than 50 members of The Arc of Essex County family gathered at McLoone's Boathouse in West Orange on October 29 for a special luncheon honoring staff members who have dedicated 20 years or more to the organization. The celebration brought together longtime employees and senior leadership for a day of recognition, appreciation, and reminiscing about decades of shared experiences. Board President Robert Laurino and CEO Kathleen Hinnigan-Cohen addressed the group, expressing their gratitude for the remarkable commitment of employees who have spent decades supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. In her remarks, Kathy reflected on the important [...]

Six self-advocates and two staff members from The Arc of Essex County joined disability advocates from across New Jersey on October 2 for the 42nd Annual New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (NJSSAN) Fall Conference, held at Pines Manor in Edison. Hosted by The Arc of New Jersey's Self-Advocacy Program and NJSSAN, the annual conference brings together individuals with IDD to connect with peers, learn about important issues, and strengthen their advocacy skills. This year's theme, "Rise Up for Advocacy," emphasized the importance of individuals speaking up for themselves and working together to create positive change. Throughout the day, attendees had opportunities to [...]

For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, finding meaningful employment can be a life-changing opportunity. A job offers more than a paycheck—it provides a sense of purpose, greater independence, and the chance to contribute to the community. At The Arc of Essex County, we're helping individuals take important steps toward these goals, and our 2026 Annual Appeal, Opportunity Starts Here, invites our community to be part of that journey. This year's appeal focuses on expanding opportunities through our Jobs Club, which helps adults with IDD explore career interests, develop workplace skills, and gain hands-on experience in a variety of settings. Through [...]

The Arc of Essex County is now accepting applications for its Student Champion Program, offering students in grades 3 to 12 an exciting opportunity to make a difference in their communities while promoting inclusion and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Student Champions serve as ambassadors for The Arc's annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run, Family Walk, and Fun Fest. Through fundraising, recruiting friends and family, promoting the event, and volunteering, these enthusiastic young leaders help raise awareness of The Arc's mission while inspiring others to get involved. The program is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, gain volunteer [...]

The Arc of Essex County recently received a generous donation that will help make transportation more accessible for the individuals we serve, thanks to Diane Pierce, sister of Arc Board of Trustees member Lorraine Coppola. Diane donated a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan that features a specially modified, accessible seat. Known as a “Turny” style seat, it rotates and extends outward from the vehicle, making it easier for individuals who use wheelchairs or need additional assistance to enter and exit safely and comfortably. This is the second vehicle Diane has donated to The Arc in recent years. Her continued generosity reflects a meaningful [...]