- The grant will focus on making the residential facilities not just livable but 'delightful.'
ArcMorris, which manages group homes and therapy programs in North Jersey for adults with developmental disabilities, has received $123,000 from home improvement retail chain Lowe’s.
“The grant will focus on making our residential facilities not just livable but delightful,” Laura Jennings Pitt, an ArcMorris director, said on Wednesday. “We’re upgrading essential features like bathrooms, flooring, windows and kitchen countertops. These improvements are designed not just for aesthetics but to enhance the daily experiences of our residents.”
The funding was announced last week. Through 2026, Lowe’s is awarding $100 million to projects around the country for the revitalization of community spaces through its “Hometowns” grants. The company is selecting 100 large-scale community projects in partnership with local nonprofits.
It’s a win for 15 people who live in ArcMorris' supervised apartments in Morris Plains. While the two-floor building was designed to meet their safety and accessibility needs, many agencies don’t have the money to make homes cozy or a source of pride for residents, said Jennings Pitt.
Money is typically prioritized to fix broken things in group homes. Patch-up jobs are far more common than quality of life upgrades. A roof gets fixed because of a leak; carpets get replaced when they are old.
“There hasn't been the ability financially to stop and analyze what's needed to make this house into a home,” said Jennings Pitt.
Jennings Pitt emphasized her desire to shift from providing functional living spaces to offering inviting homes when she filled out Lowes’ grant application.
"What do we need to do to make it feel good for our residents to live here? There's been a really big priority for the agency to upgrade the homes that we operate,” she said. When you walk in, it should be a beautiful home with a beautiful kitchen and beautiful bedrooms and lovely furnishings.”
Jennings Pitt said ArcMorris wants to create environments that residents can be proud of, "We want homes that when people walk in, they say, ‘Wow, this is amazing. I want to live here.’”
That’s the vision behind the renovations planned with the Lowe’s grant, quality of life improvements that will provide residents with a more comfortable and enriching home experience.
These enhancements will go beyond physical upgrades, according to Jennings Pitt. The renovations will take the unique needs of residents into account.
Enhancements will include ramps, non-slip flooring and accessible bathrooms and kitchens. Updates will create warm and inviting atmospheres through improved lighting, more modern fixtures and comfortable furniture.
Materials chosen for renovations will be durable and low maintenance, suitable for high-use areas. The living environment will be designed to enhance residents' mood and mental health by incorporating elements like natural light and private, relaxing spaces.
The company will be keeping an eye out to see how helpful the improvements are, said chief program officer Melinda Iannarone.
"We will be looking to see the rate of any incidents that we have related to mental health diagnosis, depression and whatnot," said Iannarone. "But also looking just to gain feedback, verbal feedback as well as written feedback from the residents living in the program of how they're feeling in this space. Are they happy to have a space that now is updated where they can bring friends and family - a space, that they're proud of the same way that you and I are proud of our homes?"
Most Popular
Comments / 0