Association for Retarded Citizens of Essex County

In 1947, a small group of dedicated parents established the foundation that would become The Arc of Essex County. Today, we are a private, non-profit agency serving people with developmental disabilities and their families who live in and around Essex County.

The Arc of Essex County’s dedicated staff of nearly 500 works with over 1,300 people with developmental disabilities each week. Children with such conditions are born to families of every race, religion and nationality, and cross all socioeconomic boundaries.

By combining compassion and competence in over 44 programs, our staff helps individuals from birth through their senior years to live fuller, more independent lives.

Our programs are made possible through federal and state funding, local United Ways, civic organizations and private foundations, as well as through fundraising and individual memberships. Of course, funding doesn’t answer every need. We are fortunate to have a strong core of dedicated volunteers who contribute time and expertise to all our endeavors.

Thanks to the vision of parents and grandparents, politicians, educators and philanthropists, much has changed for people with disabilities over the past 60 years. Our educational and social programs empower our consumers to achieve goals unimaginable just 20 years ago. For instance, children with developmental disabilities are now included in typical classroom settings in record numbers. As adults, they live in private residences with their peers, and they are gainfully employed and socially active. Some volunteer their services to help others in need. We are closer than ever to reaching our goal for individuals with developmental disabilities to actively participate at every level in our society.