Since 2015, Hugs Café has been providing employment opportunities to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and 2024 marks a big year for the organization. In January, the nonprofit partnered with Dallas College to bring the Hugs Training Academy to the esteemed Dallas College Culinary Center. There, it offers entry-level skills training including food preparation, knife handling and customer service for the population twice a week. This summer, it was also awarded D CEO’s 2024 Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Award for Best Social Enterprise.