It was an extra special celebration for Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week as The Arc of Essex County welcomed officials from the N.J. Department of Human Services and leadership from The Arc of New Jersey at an event at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood on September 12. OZ hosted Department of Human Services Deputy Commissioner Kaylee McGuire, Assistant Commissioner Jon Seifried, and Policy Advisor Jack Teters, as well as The Arc of New Jersey Executive Director Tom Baffuto, Associate Executive Director Celine Fortin, and Senior Director Sharon Levine, who toured the facility and met and interacted with day program participants—including engaging [...]

As the autumn season gets underway, The Arc of Essex County’s offerings for our youngest participants are going strong with free programming and respite care available throughout the season. The Arc is offering free respite care for children ages 5 to 20 during the NJEA Teachers’ Convention on November 9 and 10. Families can opt for a morning session (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.), an afternoon session (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) or a full day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on one or both days. The Teachers’ Convention Camp will take place at Studio Arc in Fairfield, and children will [...]

More than 100 Day Program participants from across of The Arc of Essex County’s locations attended a seasonal “Fall Ball” dance on September 28 at the Woodland in Maplewood. Bridges, the Opportunity Zone, SYA, and West Caldwell Hub each sent a group of partygoers to the dance, which featured a high-energy playlist of music—including crowd favorites the Electric Slide and Macarena—that kept attendees on the dance floor, moving and grooving with their peers. The event also featured a sit-down meal together, catered by Hoboken’s Pizzeria in Pompton Plains. Do you have a loved one interested in attending The Arc of Essex County’s [...]

As students started the 2023-24 school year on September 7, it was a time of new beginnings at Stepping Stones School for the children and staff. The school year is off to a successful start as the children received new backpacks packed with supplies (thanks to generous donations by Prudential employees) and welcomed Little Molars Pediatric Dentistry to the school for lessons about dental care. Students visited the Turtle Back Zoo for the West Orange Elks Friendship Festival on October 2, and Stepping Stones hosted Back to School Night for families on October 5. The coming weeks will include the annual [...]

Make this October a Cartober and help drive change for The Arc! You can donate your used car, truck, RV, or boat and proceeds from its sale will directly support The Arc of Essex County. Simply visit https://thearc.careasy.org/ and select The Arc of Essex County as your beneficiary. Schedule your free pick-up and you’ll receive a receipt for a tax deduction. Can't donate today? You can still help spread the word by telling your friends about Cartober, or you can pledge your car for a future donation. Every dollar from your vehicle donation will help support children and adults with intellectual and [...]

From watching jousting knights to enjoying a freshly prepared seasonal meal, participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Community Inclusion and Group Respite program had an adventurous September together. On September 17, participants first went to Shop Rite to purchase fresh seasonal ingredients and then prepared customized fruit and vegetable salads at Studio Arc, which made for a beautiful autumn spread. On September 24, the group went back to the Middle Ages, as they visited Medieval Times in Lyndhurst. There, they watched a battle of the knights, marveled at the horseback riding in the tournament, and enjoyed a robust feast together. September also [...]

Each fall, The Arc of Essex County recognizes those employees whose long-standing commitment and dedication have helped shape the agency into what it is today. The Arc would like to recognize the following individuals for their tremendous service to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 30 Years Gordon HillKaren Knipper 25 Years Carmen EdgehillMissoule Myrtil 20 Years Noreen EasonAmy EvansSheronda Ryanes 15 Years Megan BeebeMichelle BradleyKaziah Grigsby-BarbuSharon KingKena LoyalRosaline MunroeJamella ScottJose Vega 10 Years Janet BaillifFrank Cinque, Jr.Marie JosephFelicia MinniganMarilyn WigfallMojisola Yekeen 5 Years Tiffany BensmatTaquinza BerrymanKendra BruceVictoria CasimireRoderica GrahamLisa HarrellBrian HenryRosehil HerreraDivya JacobBarbara MarrowShakima MorrisDelia NaguitKristina OlszewskiBreanna PilgrimAdriana PociusKiazsha RichardsonSandra SejuBrenda SichelwaColin Spence 3 Years Janine AuriemmaKevin BrievaSadie BrittAlysha BrownQuanette CiceronMichelle [...]

The Arc of New Jersey has created a voting and election guide for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This “Get Out The Vote” booklet will help walk you through the relevant dates, as well as the policies and procedures you need to know as we approach Election Day 2023. Take time to learn more about the candidates who will appear on your ballot and be sure to use The Arc of New Jersey’s Get Out the Vote website, www.gotvnj.org, for additional information and resources. Click Here to Download the Guide

Tributes are a beautiful way to acknowledge those you care for, and at the same time, help further The Arc’s mission. To purchase a tribute, please call Ann Burleigh at (973) 535-1181 ext. 1245 or visit our tribute page here. Tribute Donations (July to September 2023): In Memory of Charles and Marie DeLorenziRobert and Barbara BrittonLaura CilmiLiz De LorenziRaymond DeLorenziMary GraffamMarie LevitusRyan LitnerMolly McNamaraJordan McNerneyCarolyn NagleCecelia PrewettSarah RooneyTom and Teri SansoneSharon Tyrpak-DonnellyKathryn White In Memory of Miles TerrellJoan AlsopAlan J. AshMyrna BangcayaValentina BertozziCameron BreedenThomas and Veronica ChanceAlicia ColemanRobert and Susan CozzarelliMarjorie DaileyChip DickersonPatricia FindleyJackie HarrisChioma IgwebuikeDaphne JonesDennis KurttiDiane LarsonClaire Edna Marcela LeilaniLacey MacchiaCarolyn [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following October 2023 openings: Meadowbrook Condo (1 Male or Female Vacancy) Unlicensed two-bedroom condo in Maplewood Candidates would be on the Supports Program Close to public transportation Care based on individual needs Orange Community Residence (1 Male or Female Vacancy) 24/7 supervision Single-family style group home located in a turn-of-the-century mansion with spacious living areas Co-ed living arrangement with active group of residents Near shopping, dining, and activities Care based on individual needs Maplewood Supervised Apartment Program (1 Male Vacancy) 24/7 Staff Supervision Condo-style living in a unit with elevator Off-street parking Located near public transportation and within walking distance of Maplewood's [...]