Category: The Guardian

Two Stepping Stones students standing in front of a white board with the days of the week and weather listed, the girl on the left is holding a class worksheet and the girl on the right in a yellow shirt is giving a peace sign.

New Leadership as Stepping Stones Students Return for the 2023-24 School Year

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 [...]

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A group of cartoon adults holding small pink toys representing cars, boats, and other vehicles, with the words "Turn your car into a vehicle for change this fall" and the words Cartober Vehicle Donation on a blue stripe at the bottom of the image. The Arc of Essex County logo on top right.

Donate Your Vehicle and Support The Arc this “Cartober”

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 [...]

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A group of 17 Arc of Essex County adults wear crowns and stand in front of a Medieval Times scene, with knight armor posed to the right.

Medieval Times and Farm-to-Table Highlight September Recreation Fun

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 [...]

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Gold and white balloons surround the text: Congratulations! The Arc of Essex County thanks its staff on their milestone anniversaries.

Arc Employees Recognized for Milestone Anniversaries

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 [...]

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American flag backdrop with voter registration form and "I voted today" sticker

The Arc of New Jersey Launches its 2023 Voting Guide

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

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Two hands cupped together and holding a red heart object over a wooden white background.

Tributes and Facebook Fundraisers – Summer 2023

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 [...]

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The words "RESIDENTIAL CORNER" across images of four different homes and apartments. The Arc of Essex County logo in the bottom left corner.

October 2023 Residential Corner

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 [...]

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A boy in a white shirt covered in different colored paint, holding a spray bottle filled with red paint.

Camp Hope Fun Rolls Into August

Week after week this summer, campers have had the chance to try fun new experiences and enjoy an array of activities at Camp Hope, all tied into the weekly and daily themes organized by camp staff. August kicked off with Color Wars week, which featured color days (red and orange on Monday, yellow and green on Tuesday, and blue and purple on Wednesday, with associated crafts), followed by a rainbow-filled Thursday that included tie-dyeing, and the annual (very messy and fun!) color run and color war on Friday. Next up was “Once Upon a Time” week, which took campers through days that [...]

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Three children gathered together holding a pink soccer ball. Behind them, different country's flags are visible on the wall.

Learning Continues with ESY at Stepping Stones

For six weeks this summer, the children at Stepping Stones School participated in the Extended School Year (ESY), which included opportunities to learn and to enjoy the summer season. Activities included learning about Independence Day and fireworks; water play sessions that featured sprinklers, water tables, and more; sensory play that included tower building and sand and ocean-themed sensory bins, and a celebration of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The ESY ended in August and students will return to start the 2023-24 school year in September. The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School is a Department of Education-approved private school for students with [...]

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Five women sit around a craft table holding paintings of pink cats. Behind them, a line of aprons are hanging on wall pegs.

New Art Explorations at Studio Arc

Visitors to The Arc of Essex County’s Studio Arc have learned new techniques and been inspired by a variety of renowned artists as they’ve created innovative and colorful works this summer. Classes explored different artists, including Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol, and replicated their styles and techniques using a variety of media, such as watercolors and collage. Arc artisans learned how to paint with different textures and use airbrushing tools. In block-printing and stamp-making sessions, our artists were inspired by artist Jim Dine when making their own stamps and creating cool and interesting pop art. Studio Arc has also been home to [...]

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