A Caring Café, a fully operational restaurant, offers a menu of deli fare, including sandwiches and salads, while providing employment training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the guidance of the ARC of the Treasure Coast. While the ARC has long provided job training for this population, A Caring Café represents a new expansion into food service training, equipping individuals with skills to enter the culinary workforce.

A Caring Cafe

This innovative program addresses industry-wide staffing shortages, low wages, and high unemployment rates among people with disabilities. By collaborating with Treasure Coast & Indian River Provisions (a Boar’s Head distributor) the ARC offers professional training through experienced trainers and coaching staff, enhancing the overall success of A Caring Café.

A Caring Café adopts the Boar’s Head Corp. training module, covering all aspects of food service work, from deli and restaurant operations to food distribution in an on-the-job setting. Indian River Provisions will support the venture with consulting, training, equipment, and products, ensuring a top-tier learning experience.

The program’s intensive training is specifically tailored to prepare individuals with disabilities and low-income clientele for employment. The goal is to create a pipeline of skilled workers who will be equipped for jobs at major employers such as Publix, restaurants, and other food service providers, including A Caring Café itself.

Treasure Coast Provisions, the primary distributor of Boar’s Head products in the region, has made a generous $50,000 donation to launch A Caring Café. This storefront restaurant will serve as a unique food service training center for both people with and without disabilities. Treasure Coast Provisions has long been a key supporter of the ARC of Martin County, and this partnership will deepen the collaboration between the two organizations, reinforcing their shared mission to promote inclusion and opportunity for all.

Beyond training, A Caring Café will provide real-world employment experiences, helping individuals gain the independence and stability needed to succeed in the workforce while working in a supportive and caring environment. This initiative will make a meaningful difference for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, and other lifelong conditions.

In addition to the support from Treasure Coast Provisions, A Caring Café has received grant funding from the Martin County Board of County Commissioners. These contributions reinforce the belief that giving is not just about donations but about creating lasting change. Notably, before reopening, A Caring Café underwent a two-week makeover funded by Impact 100 Martin and the Loblolly Foundation, which included new flooring, updated décor, and a revamped kitchen, ensuring the space is ready for its important work in the community.