From stepping up to support students during a classroom transition to taking life-saving action during medical emergencies, The Arc of Essex County's third-quarter Arc Heroes demonstrated the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and quick thinking that make our staff so special. The Arc Hero recognition program celebrates employees who go above and beyond in living The Arc's core values of collaboration, commitment, excellence, generosity, and respect. This quarter, seven outstanding staff members were selected for recognition, each making a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals and colleagues they support. Members of The Arc's senior leadership team piled into a van and traveled [...]

There was plenty of fall fun for participants in The Arc of Essex County's Adult Recreation programs, with seasonal outings, creative activities, and opportunities to celebrate Halloween with friends. Here's a look at some of the month's highlights: Bowling continued at Bowlero Belleville, where participants enjoyed friendly competition on October 10, 17, and 24 while practicing their skills, keeping score, and cheering each other on. The Caldwell Kiwanis Street Fair on October 4 offered a chance to get out in the community and enjoy a lively afternoon filled with entertainment, live music, arts and crafts, shopping, and delicious food. Fall crafting was on [...]

October brought beautiful weather, festive celebrations, and plenty of opportunities for residents of The Arc of Essex County to enjoy time together. Here are just a few highlights from the month: Residents across our group homes and apartment programs embraced the spooky season by decorating their homes, dressing up in costumes, and attending Halloween parties in the community. At Beechtree, residents and staff decorated the exterior of their home, while residents at Linden created ghost crafts to add some festive flair indoors. Halloween-themed editions of Man Cave Monday and Girls' Night In at Studio Arc gave residents the chance to enjoy seasonal fun, [...]

October was a busy month for The Arc of Essex County's Children's Services programs, with opportunities for children and teens to explore their creativity, build friendships, develop new skills, and enjoy some fall fun! Highlights included: STEAM Maker Space brought children ages 5–12 to Studio Arc for an engaging afternoon of hands-on exploration. Participants had the opportunity to experiment, create, and discover while building confidence and problem-solving skills. Art & Play offered young children and their parents a chance to get creative together at Studio Arc. Through hands-on art activities, children explored their imaginations while practicing communication and social skills in a [...]

Mark enjoys looking out for his neighbors, lending a helping hand, and taking pride in the place he calls home. A resident of The Arc of Essex County’s Irvington Avenue apartment program in Maplewood since April 2023, Mark has become a familiar and helpful presence around the building. Whether he's helping with basic maintenance or keeping an eye on the property, Mark enjoys doing his part to make his home a welcoming and safe place for everyone. “I try to keep things as decent as I can,” he explains. That sense of responsibility extends to the people around him, too. Mark takes [...]

For Donna Jones, the Claremont Group Home isn’t a workplace so much as a second home. She knows the residents’ favorite foods, celebrates their accomplishments, and makes sure their holidays are filled with joy. Even when she's on vacation, she calls to check in. It's this extraordinary level of care, combined with her infectious personality and unwavering dedication, that has made Donna such a treasured member of The Arc of Essex County family for more than 27 years, and recently earned her recognition as The Arc's honoree at the 2026 Empowering Excellence Conference. Donna's career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental [...]

It is with great sadness that The Arc of Essex County shares the passing of Donna DeFabbio, a cherished member of The Arc family for 15 years. Donna lived in our West Orange group home and attended our day programs, where she touched the lives of countless staff members, housemates, and friends with her unmistakable personality, sharp wit, and strong spirit. Known affectionately as “Queen Donna” by those in her home, Donna had a larger-than-life personality and a wonderful ability to bring laughter to those around her. She was known for her powerful singing voice, her love of Scooby-Doo, and her [...]

The Arc of Essex County is grateful to the Wallerstein Foundation for a generous $14,000 grant to support the purchase of a generator for our Terrace Avenue Group Home in West Orange. Having a reliable backup power source is especially important in residential settings serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A generator will help ensure that residents can remain safe and comfortable during power outages, while allowing staff to continue providing essential care and support with minimal disruption. This investment will help strengthen the home's emergency preparedness and provide additional peace of mind for residents, families, and staff. We extend our [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following November 2026 openings: (NEW!) Fairfield Apartments (1 Male or Female Vacancy) Luxury apartment living in Fairfield Single-bedroom setting for an individual on Supports program Access to residential staff in building 24/7 Building features a lounge and game room, as well as another Arc two-bedroom residence Just steps away from Studio Arc Close proximity to shopping and dining (NEW!) Belleville Group Home (1 Male Vacancy) Two-family supervised apartment on quiet dead-end street 24/7 supervision Located near Branch Brook Park and other outdoor spaces Residents enjoy activities together, including trips to area destinations as well as picnics on [...]