Each year, throughout the month of November, The Arc of Essex County strives to improve the lives of low income children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as their families by collecting new (tags included) winter coats. We need your help! Please consider signing up to donate a new winter coat for a child or adult in need.  To sign up, visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F44A9A92CA2FD0-hapcoat. All of the collected items will go to The Arc of Essex County’s Home Assistance Program (HAP) families. HAP provides services to low income families whose child and/or parent has an intellectual or development disability. [...]

Over the past four weeks, residents of The Arc of Essex County have received their mail-in ballots and exercised their rights by casting their votes for the 2020 election.  With neutral guidance from their respective group home managers and observation and oversight from The Arc’s Director of Quality Assurance, residents discussed their preferences regarding who they wanted to vote for, what this year’s ballot questions mean. They then completed their ballots, and sign, sealed, and returned the envelopes to the County Board of Elections. The Arc of Essex County is committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and enabling [...]

Thanks to The Arc of Essex County’s Board of Directors, all 25+ residential programs were treated to a special Philly Pretzel Factory treat in time for Thursday night football on Thursday, October 1st.  The gesture aims to recognize the continued dedication of direct care staff and boost morale as residents continue to stay-at-home amidst the ongoing public health emergency. Would you or your school, business, or civic organization like to spread cheer to The Arc’s residents and frontline staff during this unprecedented time? Email The Arc’s Senior Director of Development and Communication, Heather Comstock, at hcomstock@arcessex.org to express your interest in [...]

The Arc of New Jersey recently recognized four employees of The Arc of Essex County as Heroes of 2020 which replaced their annual awards dinner due to ongoing COVID restrictions.  The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we live, learn, work, and socialize. Keeping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities safe while supporting them to live a meaningful life has been an enormous challenge. But for many including The Arc of Essex County’s Casey Dickson, Sharlene Griffin, Diana Nwabudo, and Marie Veix it is a challenge that they have met head on with dedication, creativity, perseverance and empathy. Casey Dickson:Casey Dickson joined The [...]