The entity that was to become The ARC of Essex County was created in September 1948, when a group of parents, religious leaders and dedicated volunteers established the Newark Area Branch of the New Jersey Parents Group for Retarded Children.

Now, several name changes and many milestones later, The ARC of Essex County serves as one of the pre-eminent organizations of its kind in the state and region. Here are highlights from the organization’s history:

1948 – Parent’s Unit for Retarded Children opens at St. Mary’s Church, Newark.

1950 – The Guardian, our newsletter serving parents and friends of persons with mental retardation, makes its debut.

1953 – Recreation and swim program opens at Morris Avenue pool in Newark.

1956 – Camp Hope opens with 60 children at Shady Nook, South Mountain Reservation.

1961 – Day care center for severely retarded children opens at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange.

1964 – Association moves to 62 North Walnut Street, East Orange.

1965 – Activity center for severely retarded young adults opens.

1973 – Joseph Dimino becomes Executive Director, a post he still holds today.

1976 – First group home opens in Newark; Outreach Activity Center opens at Essex County Hospital Center.

1979 – Adult activity center opens in Montclair.

1982 – Step Lively, an after-school recreation program, is established.

1983 – More than 800 people are receiving services from the organization; seven group homes are operating.

1986 – The ARC of Essex County moves to its current location, 7 Regent Street in Livingston.

1996 – The ARC Essex Foundation is established to provide additional financial support for the organization.

1998 – The ARC of Essex County celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

2001 – Over 40 service programs are operating in 35 locations throughout Essex County.

2004 - The ARC of Essex County purchases an administration building at 123 Naylon Avenue, Livingston and relocates.