People’s Arc of Suffolk debuts newly-renovated kitchen at Dix Hills residence for disabled Long Islanders

People’s Arc of Suffolk hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the renovation of the kitchen at their Dix Hills Residence on Wednesday, March 26. 

“The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where people get together to share stories about their day,” said John McGuigan, CEO of People’s Arc of Suffolk. “For the nine people who live here, this is where they get together. It’s an integral part of the program for them.”

The renovation took approximately three weeks and saw the installation of new dining room and kitchen floors, new recessed lights, baseboard covers, window moldings, blinds, countertops, cabinets, new refrigerators, paint, and a new flat top stove. The kitchen suffered from decades of wear, including scuffed countertops, uneven floors and aging plumbing.

“This is good because I can get around easier that way,” said Janice, a 30-year resident in the house, as she surveyed the new kitchen from her motorized wheelchair.

The renovation was made possible through the support of the Long Island Real Estate Group, which donated $25,000 for the project. 

“To see people in a home, happy, to make them more comfortable, is wonderful,” said Andrew Richards, member of the LI Real Estate Group. “It’s very personal. We care. A lot of us don’t have to deal with the challenges people in this program live with every day. To be able to make this happen is very important to us.”

People’s Arc of Suffolk says the next project is renovating the bathroom, for which they are seeking a similar philanthropic partner.