Mayor Makes Mozzzrella With Young Adults

Mayor Alphonse Petracco spent a recent morning teaching Annie Rotunda and Nutley Special Young Association members and staff how to make homemade mozzarella.

After the demonstration everyone was treated to the cheese, which was determined to be the “Best Mozzarella” by the young adult group.

The Special Young Adults building is at 83 Franklin Ave. in Nutley. The group was established in 1977, and was ahead of many communities in providing a place for special needs young adults to participate in a number of programs, according to Leann Burns, assistant director of the group.

"We are an adult day program for special needs young adults, and we provide activities," Burns said.

The activities are bowling, golf, arts and crafts, and shopping, and depend on the weather and time of year.

The Special Young Adults is administered through the Arc of Essex County, 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 has a staff of nearly 500 works with more than 1,300 people with developmental disabilities each week Arc officials said. 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, according to Arc officials