The man who helped develop MEO’s business and farm worker programs visited the Maui non-profit organization

John Arnold, who helped Maui Economic Opportunity establish its business development and migrant farmer programs, brought staff and board members from the Arizona-based nonprofit last week to meet with local nonprofits, businesses and government agencies.

Arnold is the CEO and founder of Mobile Applied Learning, an organization that operates education, behavioral health, human services and employment and training programs for youth, adults and people with disabilities.

PPEP also owns the Micro Business and Home Development Corporation, which provides services to small businesses in the US and internationally.

PPEP has been a resource for MEO over the years.

In the year As MEO’s new executive director in 1984, Gladys Baysa said she met Arnold at the first national farm workers convention. MEO was building the Department of Transportation and Arnold, whose organization led the transportation system, provided PPEP’s expertise and experience.

“In 1990, he helped bring in Hispanic workers to save Pineapple,” she said. “He did everything necessary to recruit and keep us here. He was an integral part of all Hispanic efforts and relationships.”

MEO continues to operate the National Farmworker Jobs Program in Hawaii, which helps farmworkers and their families improve their lives and supports the farms that employ them with training and grants.

Arnold played a role in the MEO by establishing the Business Development Center, which provides small businesses with formal financing, business planning and budgeting components, and grants for farm and start-up companies.

During their visit, Arnold and his team visited two BDC microcredit businesses, Malama Studio and GJ Fishing Tackle and Supply. MEO; Maui County American Jobs Center; Maui Economic and Development Board; Hale Mahaolu and J. Walter Cameron Center.

Arnold’s wife, Naya, gave a presentation on diabetes to the Maui Planning and Coordinating Council Kupuna group.

Other members of the Arnold team include board members Edgar Granillo and Walt Pearson and staff members Patty Mendoza and Tamera Conley.

“He is a true hero to many in the world,” Baisa said. “John is very humble and a great humanitarian who is dying to help others. He is a good leader and knows how to bring people together to make something good happen.

About Maui’s economic opportunity
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., is a non-profit agency that is part of the National Community Action Partnership Network, whose mission is to help low-income individuals and families and disadvantaged people become self-sufficient and transform their lives. In the year Chartered in 1965, MEO offers more than 40 programs that help low-income people, Kupuna, youth, people with disabilities, immigrants and other disadvantaged individuals. MEO operates a special transportation program for health and dialysis appointments, after-school and youth sports activities, and other human services. and the Maui Bus paratransit system; Head Start Preschools and Kahi Kamalii Infant Care Center; Also programs that provide kupuna socialization and information; rent, housing and utility assistance; Spanish translation and interpretation; Entrepreneurship and finance departments and support including micro loans; Returning a prisoner to the community after release; Prevention of youth drinking, drug, smoking, bullying and suicide; and employment training and placement. For more information about the full array of programs, visit meoinc.org or call (808) 249-2990.