Page 7 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - April 6, 2022

ANSWER TO TODAY’S PUZZLE
APRIL 6, 2022 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 7
covid questions?
Click or call for answers.
• HawaiiCovid19.com
• O‘ahu Hotline: 808-586-8332 • Toll-free: 833-711-0645
A message from the Hawai‘i State Department of Health.
4/3/22
The Arc of Hilo’s Win-Win Employment Opportunities
Maintaining one’s yard can
be hard work, and those looking for a little extra help around their landscapes will
be excited to know there’s a sustainable operation out there that helps everyone in the community.
Arc of Hilo has teams ready to tackle any ongoing yard maintenance project you might have, and it’s a win-win for homeowners and the workers. For nearly
seven decades, Arc of Hilo has been enhancing the
lives of individuals with disabilities, and continues to do so by setting
them up for success in the job realm. The nonprofit
has ten trained teams — each with three to
four individuals with disabilities and one
supervisor, providing services such
as landscape, janitorial and
laundry services
across east Hawai’i
County.
One of the Arc’s landscaping teams just launched 100% emissions- free landscape services to local residents, using state-of-the-art lithium backpack blowers, mowers, trimmers, and hedgers.
“We’re doing our part to eliminate carbon emissions from our
beautiful island” says CEO Robert Efford, who notes that Arc of Hilo campus is powered by the sun. “We’re committed to transitioning to all-electric equipment by the end of 2023.”
To inquire about the Arc’s landscape services, or to request a free quote, email refford@hiloarc.org or call 808-464-6111.
And the yard work is just one aspect of what Arc of Hilo offers its more than 100 clients, from youth to seniors, offering youth transition, employment services, Adult Day Health services, and even low- income housing.
“Our goal is to expand our commercial services so we can hire and train more and employ young people coming out of high school who have special needs,”
he continues, “We have an untapped workforce that is
reliable, eager, and ready to contribute to our community!” Arc of Hilo has trained workers with disabilities providing services at Hilo Medical Center, the Hilo post office downtown, the National Guard, Aupuni Center, Lyman Museum, the old county building
— over 100 sites within the community. According to Efford, the organization is the largest employer of youth and adults with disabilities on Hawai’i Island, and paid out almost $500,000 in wages to local individuals with disabilities.
For more information, visit arcofhilo.org.