Business Spotlight: 25 years of Hand in Hand serving the Quad-Cities

Name of business: Hand in Hand

Proprietor: Angie Kendall, CEO, and Founders: Dave Steil, Joanie Steil, Mark Smith and Vinnie Smith

Type of business: Nonprofit

Business address: 3860 Middle Road, Bettendorf

Business phone: 563-332-8010

Business hours: 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and occasional weekend programs.

Business website: handinhandqc.org

When did the business open? August of 2000

What is the history of your business: In 2000, two sets of parents from the Quad-Cities agreed that their children, Tessa and Peter, deserved the same opportunities for fun and learning as their typically developing peers. They decided to start small — by offering a one-week summer camp for children with disabilities where every camper could enjoy the full camp experience.

That first year of Camp Hand in Hand was so successful that the founders knew they had created something truly special for parents and participants alike. Camp Hand in Hand is still going strong today, serving more than 60 campers each summer. Our building, Tessa’s Place, is named in honor of Tessa Steil and continues to welcome families 25 years later.

How has your business evolved since its inception? What began as a summer camp has grown into a year-round resource for the Quad-Cities. Today, Hand in Hand offers inclusive childcare, including a PreK program in partnership with Pleasant Valley schools, school-age care, evening and weekend recreation programs, Teens with Purpose and People with Purpose for adults. We are also preparing to launch supported employment services.

Hand in Hand is the only organization in the Quad-Cities offering both child care and disability services under one roof.

What inspired you to start your business? Co-founder Vinnie Smith recalls a simple hallway conversation with Joanie Steil at their children’s school. What began as “Wouldn’t it be great if our kids had the same opportunities as everyone else?” grew into a vision for a place where every child and adult — regardless of ability — would be welcomed, valued and loved. That vision became Hand in Hand.

Any future plans for expansion or addition for your business? We have always grown by listening to families and responding to community needs. Right now, our community is telling us there’s a need for more dayhab programming and supported employment opportunities. Both of these programs are expanding or launching within the next year, and we look forward to continuing to evolve as a trusted resource for the Quad-Cities.

What has been your most memorable moment at the business so far? A recent powerful moment was when a mom told us she could finally trust someone outside of family to care for her young daughter with disabilities. That moment captured what Hand in Hand is all about — creating a space where families feel supported and children of all abilities can thrive.

We see these memorable moments every day: a child with disabilities playing alongside peers, a teenager discovering their purpose or an adult with disabilities contributing to the community through work and volunteering.

What are some of the unique aspects, services or offerings of your business? Hand in Hand is more than child care, and more than disability services — it’s a place where inclusion happens naturally. We create spaces where children and adults with and without disabilities learn, play and grow together.

Some of our unique offerings include:

• Inclusive childcare and preschool programs that welcome children of all abilities.
• Recreation and social programs for teens and adults with disabilities in their community.
• Job coaching and supported employment (coming soon).
• Camp Hand in Hand, a summer tradition serving 60+ campers annually.

Our commitment is to meet families where they are and ensure that cost or ability is never a barrier to participation.

What are your future goals and aspirations for your business?

As we celebrate 25 years, our goal is to ensure Hand in Hand remains a cornerstone of inclusion for generations to come. That means expanding workforce development opportunities for people with disabilities, strengthening partnerships with local schools and businesses and continuing to advocate for affordable childcare and disability services.

Our vision is a Quad-Cities where every person — regardless of ability — has the opportunity to learn, connect, and thrive.

Is there anything else you would like your community to know about your business?

Hand in Hand belongs to the Quad-Cities. From two families with two children, we’ve grown into an organization serving more than 600 individuals every year. We couldn’t have done it without the support of this community.

As we look ahead, we want everyone to know: Hand in Hand is ours. It’s a resource we’ve built together, and it will continue to strengthen our entire area for the next 25 years and beyond.