On April 2, The Arc of Essex County will host a “Meet the Support Coordination Agencies” night at the Opportunity Zone in Maplewood from 6 to 8 p.m. As 2025 graduates approach the end of the school year, families will be asked to choose a support coordinator, who is a critical part of each family’s ability to successfully access and maintain services through New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities. The graduating class of 2025 will need to identify a support coordinator before services can begin after graduation. If you do not have a support coordinator, are unhappy with your current support coordinator [...]

The Arc of Essex County recently released its Impact Report for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, titled “Ready to Soar.” The publication includes a review of the year’s most important initiatives, a financial report, and recognition of donors, with a special tribute to “Arc Champion” recurring donors. The “Ready to Soar” theme was inspired in part by the first Wings for All event, co-hosted by The Arc of Essex County in December 2023. That event was an emotional and meaningful day for families, and as an organization that has always worked to lift up children and adults with IDD and their families, [...]

Participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation, Group Respite, and Community Inclusion programs enjoyed a very active February. Recent activities included: A Valentine’s crafting session on February 2, where participants made gumball-machine-inspired candy dispensers at Studio Arc together A pre-Super Bowl party at the Opportunity Zone on February 9, with personalized nacho trays, Super Bowl commercial bingo, and game predictions A busy Hotel Respite weekend February 21 to 23, with a special trip to the New Brunswick Art Museum A Community Inclusion trip to the Mirror Maze at the American Dream Mall on February 23 The Adult Recreation program is always looking for [...]

February was a busy month for The Arc of Essex County’s children’s programming, with opportunities for toddlers, children, and teens to have fun and educational experiences together: Children’s Respite enjoyed a shopping trip as part of their money management curriculum, as well as a bowling trip together Communi-Play provided engaging and musical communication lessons for our 2.5- to 5-year-olds, with sessions on February 1 and 15 Parents’ Night Out on February 15 featured group games and play-doh making for children and teens Art & Play gave children ages 2.5 to 5 the chance to create together at Studio Arc while building socialization skills on [...]

Adults in The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs have enjoyed a busy month, highlighted by some special Valentine’s Day activities: At West Caldwell Hub, a multi-day celebration started with “Malentine’s Day” on Wednesday 2/12 for the men and “Galentine’s Day” on Thursday 2/13 for the women, where the group wore red and went on a special community outing to Rock N’ Joe’s Coffee Bar. On Valentine’s Day, the program enjoyed a dance party and “dressed to impress.” At Bridges, participants made special Valentine puppets using brown paper bags and animal cutouts to share sweet sentiments. At SYA, a Valentine’s Day celebration featured [...]

Even in the wintry weather, The Arc of Essex County group homes are warm and vibrant places to be. Highlights in February for our residents included: Valentine’s Day celebrations, including balloon decorations and cardmaking for the Belmont Group Home, a party and gift exchange at the Linden Apartments, as well as a pajama party and visit to the Seton Hall Valentine’s Day celebration for the residents in our Marmon Apartment Program A rousing Super Bowl Party in the Verona Apartment Program, with delicious food and football décor “Man Cave Monday” at Studio Arc, where gentlemen from the Cedar Grove, Verona, Washington, and Beechtree [...]

Roberto started attending The Arc of Essex County’s SYA Day Program in the fall of 2024, and soon began participating in the Community Inclusion and Recreation programs as well. He says he loves the new friends he’s met and really enjoys dance parties and going out for community lunch. “We had a fancy party for Christmas,” he said, recalling how beautiful it was and how nice it was to go out together to the Chandelier in Belleville. He says he loves getting dressed up for special occasions. Roberto also enjoys the van rides from his home in Belleville to SYA in Nutley, [...]

As Debra McGauley-Eichhorn weaves around the Studio Arc art studio, helping artists from The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs work on their techniques and translate their creative thoughts into beautiful pieces of art, you would never know that her original calling had her in a very different field, studying business administration and economics and then law, and working as an attorney for about a decade. But when she became a parent, Deb also became a stay-at-home mom. And when her oldest child was diagnosed with autism, “that really changed the whole direction of what I did.” As Deb’s son grew older [...]

For individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following March 2025 openings: 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 their spacious deck Washington Avenue Residence (1 Male Vacancy) Single-family style group home in a quiet Montclair neighborhood 24/7 supervision Within walking distance of parks and shopping Residents enjoy going on local trips together South Orange Supportive Living Apartment (1 Female Vacancy) 1 bedroom available in a 2-bedroom apartment Minimal community living support needs Access to an emergency [...]