Children & Family Services
“ When all of this happened with my daughter, God sent me a group of angels to help. It truly takes a village and The Arc of Essex County is part of our village. If it wasn’ t for The Arc, Taz wouldn’ t have come as far as she has. Without The Arc, I don’ t know where I’ d be.”
- Tamika Agosto
Tamika Agosto knew her daughter Tazhane( Taz) would have to face many challenges in her life from the moment she was born. Taz suffered from a lack of oxygen to her brain during delivery and as she grew, Tamika knew she needed help. She enrolled Taz in early intervention services with The Arc of Essex County at the age of 2 and a half. The Arc has been a part of the Agosto family ever since.
Seeing what early intervention services did for Taz, Tamika continued with The Arc. Beginning when she was 6 years old, Taz started attending Camp Hope. She loved the activities and the pool. When the New Jersey Department of Children and Families cut funding, Tamika worked with staff from The Arc of Essex County to find additional resources and funding for Taz to continue to attend Camp Hope.
“ The Arc fights for me. When DCF tried to cut funding, I wanted to give up. But the staff wouldn’ t let me,” recalled Tamika.“ If I have a problem, I call The Arc and within 10 minutes I’ ll hear back about whether or not they can help. Not one time have they told me they can’ t. They find other resources, helping hands. The Arc is my strength.”
Taz is now 19 years old. She continues to attend Camp Hope every summer. She is also enrolled in The Arc of Essex County’ s Saturday Group Respite and remains part of the Home Assistance Program. Taz has grown up with The Arc. From a rambunctious, spitfire at the age of 2 and a half to a happy, balanced 19 year old, The Arc and Tamika have seen her grow.
“ When all of this happened with my daughter, God sent me a group of angels to help. It truly takes a village and The Arc of Essex County is part of our village If it wasn’ t for The Arc, Taz wouldn’ t have come as far as she has. Without The Arc, I don’ t know where I’ d be.”