Kids with disabilities recognized for summer jobs

Twenty youths with disabilities are being recognized for the work they did during summer jobs through a program supported by federal stimulus money.

The Hawaii Department of Human Services, businesses and nonprofit agencies are honoring the program’s participants Friday.

The program, called Youth Employment for the Summer, enabled its participants to get work experience through six-week summer jobs at businesses including Burger King, Hawaiian Chip Company, Kaiser Permanente, Safeway, Wal-Mart and the YMCA.

Nonprofit agencies supporting the program included Abilities Unlimited, Hawaii Centers for Independent Living and Lanakila Pacific.