Welcome Home: An Evolving Approach to Residential Living
Dale Crews lived with The Arc of Essex County in the Nutley group home for nearly two decades. During that time, she bonded with her roommates and group home staff, and enjoyed participating as a member of her community. While the Nutley group home holds many memories, navigating the colonialstyle property with her walker became increasingly challenging. Collectively Dale and The Arc recognized the need for a home that would meet her mobility needs now and in the future.
Inspired by Dale, and others like her, The Arc of Essex County embarked on a search for properties that could support current and future residents whose mobility needs may evolve. The beginning of the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year marked an opportunity to transform The Arc’ s vision for future residential living into reality.
The Arc of Essex County purchased a ranch-style home in Roseland, NJ in June 2015. Over the next 11 months, the agency transformed the house’ s original design to meet the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in every phase of life. Utilizing funding from the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development, the Borough of Roseland, and the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, The Arc added front / rear wheelchair ramping, converted the existing master bathroom to an accessible-friendly bathroom, and installed comprehensive lighting and fire suppression systems.
Dale and her roommates moved into the home in May 2016 and have been forming their own traditions and memories ever since.
The success of the renovation project emphasized the importance to create
Pictured( L-R)- Ben Proce, Trustee of The Arc of Essex County, John Duthie, Mayor of Roseland, Linda Lucas, CEO of The Arc of Essex County, Joe DiVincenzo, Essex County Executive and George Serio, Jr., Director of the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development officially open the Roseland group home in May 2016.
long term housing stability for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As The Arc moves forward in its residential endeavors, the agency embraces the responsibility to anticipate and respond to residents’ needs. The Arc will continue to make needed accessibility improvements to existing properties, while searching to acquire new homes with living space all on one level.
With a focus on responding to the community’ s needs, The Arc of Essex County is creating flexible housing options. Residents and their families can be confident in The Arc’ s ability to innovate and adapt now, and in the future.
“ As we look to acquire and renovate additional residential properties, being able to meet evolving service and mobility needs is a top priority. Ranch-style homes offer our residents living space on one level which is important as they enter their senior years. Additionally, for those with mobility needs, interior and exterior modifications further enable our residents to live comfortably in all phases of life.”
- Frank Cinque, Senior Director, Asset Management, The Arc of Essex County