The Arc of Essex County congratulates Senior Director of Children and Day Services Laurie Best and Senior Director of Adult Residential Services Rebecca Lorusso for their graduation from The Arc of New Jersey’s Leadership Institute program in November. Best and Lorusso were chosen to represent The Arc of Essex County at the state-wide program, which included seven sessions over the course of six months, each focusing on a different aspect of leadership. Two staff members were selected from each Arc chapter throughout New Jersey to attend the day-long sessions, which took place at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. [...]

Participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation Programs enjoyed a busy November of activities, including brunch, Friendsgiving, movies, bowling, and more. The Community Inclusion group enjoyed their “Matinee and Mingle” trip on November 3 to see Venom at the AMC Theater in Clifton, as well as a Fall Brunch at the Stagehouse Tavern on November 10. Group Respite participants gathered on November 17 for Friendsgiving, where they painted Thanksgiving decorations and ate a robust holiday meal together. Saturday Group Respite enjoyed arts and crafts, cooking, and bowling trips together throughout the month. Hotel Respite had a busy weekend of shopping, bowling, [...]

The Arc of Essex County will be hosting a virtual information session about the 2025 Camp Hope season for families on the evening of December 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. During the session, camp leadership will present details and answer questions from families. Interested participants can register for the Zoom meeting at bit.ly/camp-hope-2025-info. Camp registration will open in January. Camp Hope is a summer day camp for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities located in East Hanover. Operating since 1956, camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for seven weeks in the summer. For more information, [...]

It was a bit of a fluke that brought Evelyn Gallik to the world of working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She had been a corporate sales representative for more than 15 years when she volunteered at an agency working with people with IDD. In what turned out to be a fateful bit of confusion, the group thought she was applying for a job, and Evelyn was so inspired by the work that she decided to go ahead and make that a reality—quitting her sales job and entering the field where she has now thrived for nearly 30 [...]

The Arc of Essex County applauds The Candle Lighters as the group marks 50 years of providing financial support for under and non-funded programs of The Arc of Essex County. As the longest standing and largest grant supporter of The Arc, The Candle Lighters have provided more than $2 million financial support over these 50 years. Established in 1974 by parents, staff, and friends, The Candle Lighters’ mission is to assist in the growth and well-being of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in The Arc of Essex County community. With the support of their fundraising efforts, The Arc has been [...]

The Arc of Essex County is grateful to announce the recent awarding of three grants that will support adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Arc programs. The Hyde and Watson Foundation granted $10,500 toward the cost of the Belmont Group Home’s new flooring project. The Maplewood Foundation granted $5,876 toward the purchase of a sensory interactive table, to be used by Adult Day Program participants as well as Saturday Children’s Respite at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood. The Provident Bank Foundation granted $2,500 for Camp Hope. The funds will support general operations during the 2025 camp season. The Arc thanks the [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following December 2024 openings: Ashwood (1 Male or Female vacancy) Single-family group home on a residential street in Livingston 24/7 supervision Within walking distance of parks and outdoor spaces Active and social group of residents who enjoy outings together as well as parties and activities at home Belleville Group Home (2 Male vacancies) 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 their spacious deck Washington Avenue Residence (1 Male vacancy) Single-family style group home [...]