In coordination with the Cape Coral Police Department, ARCHway Institute is hosting a free event called Connection in the Park at Cultural Park in Cape Coral on Saturday, November 8th from Noon to 3PM.
ARCHway Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening community connections, supporting vulnerable populations, and promoting resilience across Lee County. Their mission is to reduce social isolation, facilitate access to support services, and foster healthy relationships among community members. They partner with local governments, first responders, and service agencies to deliver events, outreach, and educational programming for individuals with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health.
What to Expect at the event on November 8th:
· Community Resources & Vendors: Local nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, and resource providers will host vendor booths offering support and information to residents.
· Free Food (While Supplies Last): We’ll be providing free food to attendees until inventory runs out.
·Special Guest Appearance by Splash the Search & Rescue Otter: One of the highlights of the day will be a guest appearance by Splash, a specially trained otter working with search-and-rescue teams to locate human remains underwater in low-visibility environments. Splash, an Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), is pioneering the use of otters in search-and-rescue missions. Unlike dogs, Splash can detect scent underwater via a bubble-tasting technique: when bubbles carry trace human odor, he draws them in and “tastes” them to detect a target, then signals his handlers. Since his deployment, Splash has already participated in several successful recoveries and is garnering interest from law enforcement agencies across Florida and beyond.