FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ray Weiss or Jessica Tiller
443-451-7144 or rweiss@weisspr.com

Baltimore, MD (7/19/16) — The Arc Baltimore is partnering with the Home Builders Care Foundation (HBCF) of Maryland to renovate and repair a number of houses and apartments in the Baltimore area in which individuals supported by The Arc currently live.

“By leveraging the skills and resources of its building industry members, HBCF is not only making upgrades to the homes of individuals whom The Arc Baltimore supports,” says Ron Christian of The Arc Baltimore’s Community Living Division. “It is helping these people to pursue their passions and become more self-sufficient.”

The first project to be undertaken as part of this new partnership involves the complete renovation of a kitchen at one of The Arc Baltimore residences in Rosedale.

“The kitchen renovation will save The Arc Baltimore thousands of dollars, but more importantly will have a profound impact on the residents of the home, particularly one resident who uses a wheelchair and will now be able to cook when the accessibility aspects of the kitchen are complete,” notes Christian. “We are so pleased that the members of Maryland’s home building association are bringing their expertise in Universal Design to this project.”

Since its inception, HBCF (www.hbcf.org) has made in-kind contributions totaling more than $20 million worth of materials and labor to projects which assist the homeless and others at risk in communities throughout Maryland. The Foundation is affiliated with the Maryland Building Industry Association (www.marylandbuilders.org) and serves nearly 85% of the state.  HBCF’s involvement in projects typically can save its partner agencies approximately 30% to 50% on development and construction costs by utilizing professional pro bono labor and in-kind donations from suppliers.

“Our Foundation has been around for over 30 years and we have partnered with over 90 local nonprofits on hundreds of projects,” says Christopher Rachuba, HBCF’s President.  “HBCF continues to be committed to giving back to the community by providing shelter-related construction for the homeless and others at-risk, such as those individuals supported by The Arc Baltimore.”

Companies providing in-kind contributions to The Arc Baltimore residence include: T.W. Ellis (www.twellis.com/); John H Myers & Son (www.jhmson.com/); Cosentino North America (www.silestoneusa.com/); Conestoga Tile (www.conestogatile.com/); Smart Energy Systems (www.smartenergysystems.biz/); Garrison Plumbing (www.garrison-plumbing.com/); and The Rachuba Group (www.rachuba.com/).

The Arc Baltimore’s Community Living Division assists more than 280 people in homes and apartments in Baltimore City and County. These include people who are renting or buying their own homes, live with others in an agency-owned or rented home, or live in another’s home and receive supports from that person.

Supports provided by The Arc Baltimore – which range from cooking, cleaning, and laundry to personal hygiene and transportation – are individually tailored and provided on a full-or part-time basis, depending on both needs and preferences. Individuals are supported so they can live as independently as possible and enjoy their friends, family, hobbies, and other interests.

In all, The Arc Baltimore currently supports more than 6,000 Baltimore City and Baltimore County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

About The Arc Baltimore

Dedicated to providing advocacy and high quality, life-changing supports since 1949 in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, The Arc Baltimore supports more than 6,000 adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. As one of the nation’s largest and most respected organizations of its kind, The Arc Baltimore is an indispensable resource, providing employment training and support, day and residential services, family support and education, treatment foster care, respite care, public policy advocacy and information, and referrals. For more information, visit www.thearcbaltimore.org or call 410-296-2272.