The Arc of Hilo

Our goals are to create a better future for our clients through job skill training, community inclusion and eliminating barriers, generalizations and stereotypes. We seek to achieve greater economic stability for our population and nurture a network of mutually beneficial public and private partnerships. By empowering individuals with disabilities to mainstream, achieve normalization and realize their full potential, we accomplish our mission of improving lives on every level. Our future goals are linked with our ability to deliver quality services that exceed customer expectations and provide sustainable employment. The Arc has developed "incubator" businesses which are not dependent on tourism, federal, state funding or vulnerable to economic downturns.

Our long term strategy is to provide a comprehensive, job-readiness training program for its participants in five fast growing service areas: Custodial, Grounds Keeping, Laundry, Hospitality/food service industries and an Event/party rental business. Our in-house facilities are what make us so unique in the community; we are the job creators and have the entrée to the population we serve. Participants have the choice to receive vocational training in one of the Arc's commercial areas, however after achieving employment & training goals, participants may opt to be placed in a community setting. The advantage of these programs is that it allows individuals to flow between departments, if necessary, for additional training or to explore new career options. The Arc of Hilo competes for contracts to private, county, state, & federal entities & serves 40-50 individuals in competitive employment.

In FY 2017-18, the Job Creation & Training Center will allow The Arc to broaden the contracted services it provides business clients, as well as increase the number of trained low income workers with disabilities. Statistics show that over 60% of our target population has one or more disabilities. For instance, 85% of prisoners are found to have at least one disability. Many returning veterans may have multiple disabilities and many recipients of public assistance who have had difficulty with traditional education are found to have a learning disability. Outreach & marketing to these under-served populations will be one of our main objectives in this coming year. The result of these marketing efforts for our new services will make us more sustainable because we depend upon the earned income from our underlying social enterprises to cover the expenses of working with these populations; which means that we will be able to maintain these jobs without seeking continuing financial support.

The results of our efforts are the creation of new jobs, quality of life enhancement, a safer community, crime statistics go down, and a tax base grow. The outcomes are directly related to the impacts on the clients who are receiving the services, such as improved health, safe and secure development, emotional stability, richer appreciation & perspectives in life, & increased independence through employment. The Adult Day Health Program clients increased their active volunteering services in partnership with the community, working side by side with non-disabled adults, sharing experiences and peer learning. Our future involves strategic program development which will be instrumental in attracting new clients. Our Computer Learning Center is available for Job Searches, Computer Training, Social Media Services, Resume Development and much more. We hope to expand our employment services and computer literacy to all our clients and strengthen their ability to be self sustaining.