MISSION & HISTORY
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Belief
Ruth begins working with the IDD population in Colorado as she finds her passion and dedication to inclusion and community.
Ruth moves from Colorado to McKinney, Texas, and begins teaching cooking classes at Market Street for adults with disabilities, teaching them not just cooking skills but also life skills.
On the verge of retirement, Ruth has a life-changing dream – two nights in a row! She dreams of running a one-of-a-kind restaurant, where the staff are all adults with IDD, and they do every job there, from greeting customers to washing dishes to preparing world class food.
A group of incredible individuals come together to support Ruth’s dream. Together, they work through the logistics of launching a non-profit AND a cafe. The Hugs Board of Directors makes an invaluable impact on the organization by creating the foundation of everything to come.
Thanks to the generosity of the Sanchez family, Hugs Cafe finds its first home in Historic Downtown McKinney.
Add Description Ruth begins to hire staff for Hugs Cafe, beginning with the students from her Market Street cooking classes. Ruth brings together a group of 24 adults with IDD as the first Hugs Cafe staff members, many of whom are still with us more than ten years later.
Hugs Cafe opens the doors to its flagship cafe in Historic Downtown McKinney with a staff almost entirely comprised of adults with IDD.
With a growing need in the community for more inclusive hiring, Ruth decides to open a second program under the Hugs umbrella - Hugs Greenhouse . Thanks to the Shelton family, the Greenhouse opens on 4 acres in north McKinney. The team of mission-based staff grow native Texas perennials and seasonal bedding plants.
Hugs begins holding monthly cooking classes in McKinney for teens and adults with IDD, combining cooking instruction utilizing a classically trained chef.
Recognizing the need for more inclusive hiring beyond the Cafe and the Greenhouse, Hugs expands its mission and reach by opening Hugs Training Academy in McKinney, a workforce readiness course that teaches service and hospitality skills to students with IDD.
Ruth Thompson is invited to be a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, sharing the Hugs story and mission to a nationwide audience.
Land was secured in east Downtown McKinney for Hugs National Headquarters.
Hugs Training Academy expands to a second location at Dallas College.
Hugs Cafe begins receiving requests for advice from individuals wanting to create their own nonprofits that follow in Hugs’ footsteps. These requests inspire the creation of the Hugs Affiliate Partner program, which provides organizations with the proven-success Hugs formula and Hugs acquires affiliate partners across the country.
D CEO Magazine names Hugs Cafe their 2024 Social Enterprise of the Year, recognizing the organization’s commitment to meaningful inclusive employment.
Demand from customers for more Hugs and a growing list of applicants makes the Hugs Cafe expands the hours and menu of our flagship cafe to include breakfast. This allows for Hugs to almost double its number of mission-based staff, adding three more hours of operation and a delicious breakfast menu.
Construction begins at the Headquarters site in McKinney, TX
Hugs Cafe Inc. Staff exceeds 100 people. 80% of the Hugs Staff have a disability.
Hugs Cafe Dallas opens its doors, marking a significant milestone in the Hugs Cafe impact and expansion of services to people with IDD.