Aztec Plumbing and Lowe’s Home Improvement have donated plumbing and construction services and materials for Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens’ (LARC’s) new Lab for Living.

Learn, Achieve, Become (LAB) is an experiential learning environment located on LARC’s main campus in Fort Myers that transforms traditional program areas into spaces for innovation, vocation, demonstration and learning. LAB layers 5 experiential learning Labs and embraces a holistic strategy as a framework through which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities maximize independence and employment success. The five Labs will focus on skills for work, residency and leisure.

The Lab for Living is the first of the Labs and is an apartment-style setting that will provide participants with hands-on training in daily living skills. The Lab will include a bedroom area, living and dining areas, a kitchen and laundry facilities. Daily living skills will include cooking, home management, housekeeping, laundry, menu planning, shopping, fire safety, home safety and much more.

Lowe’s Home Improvement (Lowe’s Heroes) donated and installed the cabinets and appliances, painted the room and installed the flooring. Four local Lowe’s stores adopted LARC for additional projects including interior and exterior renovations and improvements to LARC’s Cape Coral and North Fort Myers group homes and Bonita Springs Adult Day Training Program.

Aztec Plumbing and Drains donated the plumbing materials and employees volunteered their time and labor. “Aztec Plumbing and Drains understands the importance of giving back to the community where we live and work,” said Steve Taub, president of Aztec Plumbing and Drains. “Our employees were excited about volunteering their time and using their expertise to support LARC’s mission of empowering individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential.”

“With more than 3,700 children in Lee County schools with cognitive disabilities, LAB will create opportunities for individuals now and for generations to come,” said Kevin Lewis, executive director of LARC. “The contributions of Lowe’s Home Improvement and Aztec Plumbing and Drains ensure that LAB will become a reality and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have the tools to succeed.”

To learn more about LARC and LAB, contact Angela Katz, Development Director at 239-334-6285 x229 or email [email protected] or visit www.larcleecounty.org.

About LARC

Established in 1954, LARC Inc.’s mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential. LARC is a 501(c)3 that provides programs and services for approximately 300 local men and women annually. The nonprofit offers vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis. LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, and has a satellite campus in Bonita Springs. LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers. For more information, contact Angela at 239-334-6285 x229 or visit www.larcleecounty.org.