Studio Arc has been bustling with activity this summer, with studio visitors diving into everything from Zumba to garden harvests to jewelry making. August brought a focus on “unity in art,” where participants explored how colors, shapes, and lines come together to make a piece feel whole. It wasn’t just about technique, it was also a reminder of how much we can accomplish when we work together. After planting an array of flowers and herbs in the spring, the Garden Club celebrated its first potato harvest in August. Meanwhile, the Crochet Club has been busy making potholders and gearing up for [...]

After a busy summer of entertaining campers of all ages, Camp Hope wrapped up its 69th season with two final weeks in August that focused on children and teens for days of summer fun and community. The home stretch of the seven-week season included Spirit Week and Around the World Week. From colorful crafts to cultural adventures, Camp Hope was full of energy and enthusiasm to close out the summer. Spirit Week featured tie dye, Wacky Wednesday, and the annual Color Wars battle that covered everyone in a rainbow of hues. Around the World Week took campers on a global journey, [...]

The first day of school at Stepping Stones on September 4 marked a busy and cheerful start to the 2025-26 academic year. Classrooms quickly settled into their routines, as students who moved up had already transitioned into new settings during the extended school year in July and August. Children engaged in a variety of activities—from saying the Pledge of Allegiance and reviewing the days of the week, to stretching during yoga, listening during storytime, and participating in imaginative play. Therapies were integrated into the schedule, supporting each child’s individual needs. It was a full and engaging day that set a strong tone [...]

On a Friday in late August, 100 participants across all five of The Arc of Essex County’s Day Programs gathered at Camp Hope for a lively end-of-summer summer barbecue that featured music, movement, creativity, and connection. The celebration included a high-energy Zumba session led by the ever-enthusiastic Ms. Jaquetta, where participants danced using the tie-dye bandanas and colorful fans they had handmade. Throughout the day, the camp buzzed with activity as attendees played lawn games and explored the camp’s grounds. Creativity was in full bloom at the arts station, where partygoers used block printing techniques to decorate personalized canvas tote bags. Those [...]

The Arc of Essex County’s Shapiro Early Intervention Program is a cornerstone of support for local families with children from birth to age three who are experiencing or are at risk for developmental delays. Funded by the New Jersey Department of Health, Shapiro provides in-home therapeutic and educational services tailored to each child’s unique needs, with staff who are extensively trained to meet the highest standards. Shapiro was established in 1984 and the administrative office is currently based out of The Arc’s Stepping Stones School in Fairfield. The program offers services that include occupational and speech therapy, social work, developmental intervention, [...]

August was packed with opportunities to get active, connect, and celebrate summer with the Adult Recreation crew. Highlights included: Everyone relaxed and recharged with a meditative yoga session on August 3, focusing on self-discovery, flexibility, and strength. Bowling participants enjoyed friendly games at Bowlero Belleville on August 9 and 23, where they cheered each other on and showed true team spirit. During an escape room trip on August 10, attendees teamed up to solve puzzles and escape before time ran out, in what was exciting afternoon of collaboration. At Zumba on August 17, participants were dancing and sweating to upbeat salsa and international music [...]

August was an adventurous month for folks in The Arc of Essex County’s group homes and apartments. Highlights included: Verona Apartments attended National Night Out in South Orange, bowled, and paddle boated together. Also, to mark the end of Camp Hope, a handful of camp staff visited their campers’ apartment for a special dinner together. Verona also went to a cookout with their friends in the new Fairfield apartments At Beechtree Group Home, residents embraced wellness with regular walks and bike rides around the neighborhood; celebrated Joe’s birthday with a cheerful party; and had a blast at a carnival in West Caldwell, enjoying [...]

Since joining The Arc of Essex County community in 2022, Cindy has been a vibrant and inspiring presence across several programs. Her journey began in Adult Recreation, where she has especially enjoyed visiting new places. In 2023, she joined the SYA Day Program, and just this past February, she joined the Ashwood Group Home. With the help of her sister and her Arc team, Cindy has made huge strides in her health and wellness in recent years and is increasingly excited to go out in the community. She has a particular fondness for Studio Arc, where she loves to not just [...]

Stepping Stones School Director Robin Moses was a quiet observer as a child—not drawn to the spotlight, but to the subtle cues of how people’s minds work. That curiosity led her to study psychology at Brooklyn College, where she began to understand the science behind what had always intrigued her. While Robin was a student there, her mother accidentally nudged her toward a path that would ultimately become her calling. “She worked in special education and suggested I pick up some shifts as a substitute teacher at a school for children with disabilities,” Robin says. “I did not expect to fall [...]

The Arc of Essex County is grateful for the generous support of several community partners whose recent contributions are helping expand opportunities and enrich programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PSEG Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to support the expansion of the Entrepreneurship Club within Arc’s Day Programs. This funding will help expand the club’s product line and level-up the display materials for their items for sale. The Knights of Columbus #6504 of East Hanover contributed $2,340, continuing their tradition of supporting Arc’s mission and enhancing the lives of local residents. The Knights of Columbus #3632, representing Verona, Cedar Grove, and [...]