HONOLULU (HI Now) -In 1954, a group of concerned parents on Hawai‘i Island came together with a simple belief: that people with disabilities deserve the chance to live, work, and thrive in their community. More than 70 years later, The Arc of Hilo has grown from that small act of advocacy into the largest employer of individuals with disabilities in Hawai‘i County, serving over220 families. Today, The Arc operates the Tiki Turtle Cafe, where participants receive hands-on culinary training while serving fresh, locally inspired dishes to the community. Their event center–located across from Rainbow Falls–hosted over 300 events last year, providing real hospitality experience to the people they serve. But the impact goes far beyond the cafe and event center. The Arc runs vocational training, commercial janitorial, landscaping, and laundry services, an Adult Day Health program, and a Youth to Career initiative that partners with local high schools to equip students with disabilities for independent living and employment. Every meal served, every event hosted, and every service provided creates a pathway to independence and purpose.
Visit www.arcofhilo.org to learn more, and follow @ArcOfHilo on Facebook and Instagram.
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