Staff and residents of the Arc of Maui County accept a $15,000 grant from the Nareit Foundation. Pictured are (front row, from left) Travis Urayanza, Sunshine Apao, Alan Perreira, Eugene Lurendez, Friedrich Calma, Milagros Guzman, Mason Evangelista, Gloria Chee, Grandy Patao, Austin Souza, (back row) Kaitlin Talamantes, Cheryll Bargabos, Aida Domingo, Robi Hashimoto, Tracy Dumlao, Kacey Pastor, Chris Burger, Kiarah Mercado-Simmons, Ian Carrero, Natalie Greenleaf, Kami Satterlee, Globalyn Valdez, Gabrielle Remigio, Georgina McKinley, Rodney Nouchi, Jerry Corpuz, Aaron Baldwin, Valerie Sly, Aspen Wallwork, Rachelle Lacuesta, Cody Daniels, Eunice Echepetelecu, Ruth Hook, Rosario Agpaoa, Jennifer Torres and Sherrine Garcia. Arc of Maui County/Courtesy photo

The nonprofit Arc of Maui County has received a $15,000 grant from the Nareit Foundation for the installation of new industrial grade appliances in four group homes, offering affordable housing to 20 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities on Maui.

According to a news release, the grant paid for upgraded washing machines and dryers in the laundry rooms for each of the group homes to support the residents’ health and safety, and improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

The group homes, two in Kahului, one in Kihei and one in Lahaina, each have five full-time residents and are equipped with five individual bedrooms, three shared bathrooms and other basic amenities to sustain the residents’ daily living needs, all under the guidance of Arc of Maui County staff.

“Having new washers and dryers are vital for our services and care of our residents,” Arc of Maui County CEO Aspen Wallwork said. “With five or more loads per day per house, the new appliances help provide clean clothes, bedding and housing essentials to ensure we meet hygiene standards, operate the homes more efficiently, and allow our residents to be more independent.”

For more information about the support of nonprofit affordable housing projects and other charitable causes by the Nareit Foundation and Nareit Hawaii, go to nareithawaii.com.