The residents of The Arc of Essex County’s newest property proudly showed off their group home during an open house event on October 24 that included local officials and funders, neighbors, and Arc board members and staff.

Purchased in July 2023, the Beechtree Road home in West Caldwell (the second Arc home on this street) underwent a series of renovations over a year to make it more accessible for residents. The Arc created two means of accessible egress, an accessible bathroom on the main floor of the house, two accessible bedrooms on the first floor, and added a standalone generator. A fire suppression system was also added.

The acquisition, renovations, and furnishings were made possible with funds from the sale of The Arc’s Branch Brook home, as well as generous support from the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development HOME Program, the Township of West Caldwell’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and the N.J. Division of Developmental Disabilities.

The Arc of Essex County thanks all who made it possible to open a beautiful new home for our residents, and to those who helped celebrate the new home at the October open house event, including West Caldwell Mayor Joe Tempesta. “West Caldwell welcomes another Arc of Essex home to its community,” Mayor Tempesta said. “We are happy to help The Arc of Essex provide this necessary housing for its residents.”

For additional information about The Arc of Essex County’s residential services, contact The Arc’s Senior Director of Residential Services Rebecca Lorusso via email at rlorusso@arcessex.org or by calling (973) 535-1181 ext. 1270.