STARability Foundation, a leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will celebrate Arbor Day at the River Park Community Center in Naples on Friday, April 25. The free event is open to the public and will be held from 2 to 6 p.m., featuring live music, nature activities and games. Guests will also have the opportunity to shop unique, handcrafted products from a variety of vendors, including STARability participants, at a vibrant celebration of local talent, inclusion and community.

Proceeds from vendor sales during the event will support a select group of STARability’s participants to attend The ARC of Florida’s 2025 Advocacy Days next fall. Led by professionals in the field and disability self-advocates, this conference presents an opportunity for participants to build confidence in their abilities, amplify their voices and learn self-advocacy by connecting with a community of other self-advocates and influential leaders championing disability rights and inclusion.

The special event will also commemorate the four-year anniversary of STARability’s THRIVEability Garden. The community garden is a collaborative, multifaceted partnership between STARability, the City of Naples and the River Park Community Center focused on revitalizing River Park’s 2,000-square-foot garden. The project serves as an interactive way to teach essential life skills to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in STARability’s community-based programs. Participants work with STARability instructors, volunteers and community partners to maintain the garden and enjoy activities including a potting station, sensory experiences, rotating art exhibit and more.

“The THRIVEability Garden offers an opportunity for our participants to bloom within the community through therapeutic, recreational, inclusive and vocational experiences,” said Karen Govern, CEO of STARability Foundation. “Our garden serves as a valuable way to teach vital life skills to people of all abilities, creating significant and lasting impacts for our STARs, the neighboring River Park residents and the wider Naples community.”

For questions, please contact Halley Kretschmer, director of career services, at 239-594-9007 ext. 108 or halley@STARability.org.

To learn more about STARability’s community garden project, visit STARability.org.

About STARability Foundation

For four decades, STARability Foundation has been shining a light on abilities. Formed by a small community of caring parents, STARability has become one of Southwest Florida’s leading nonprofits. Today, the organization is opening a world of possibilities for hundreds of individuals ages 14 and older by offering a variety of inclusive programs focused on vocational training, continuing education, teamwork, social engagement and community involvement. Their compassionate team supports people with disabilities by providing life-transforming opportunities that emphasize teamwork and a connection to the community while strengthening awareness and respect for individual abilities. To learn more about the services and program offerings available, please visit STARability.org.