For newly-opened, Bayfront-based Ce Soir restaurant owners in Naples, John Pirathap and Krista Arsenault, giving back to Autism Collier Charter School isn’t simply philanthropy—it’s family.
At Ce Soir, hospitality has always been about more than what arrives at the table. For owners Krista and John, their Naples restaurant is also a platform for connection, awareness and giving back to a cause that is profoundly personal: Autism Collier Charter School (ACCS), where their 13-year-old son, Aidan, is a student.
The couple has committed 10 percent of Ce Soir’s annual profits to the school, transforming the restaurant’s success into sustained support for students with autism and their families. We spoke with Krista and John, along with ACCS Principal Emily Kafle, M.Ed., about family, community and why giving back matters.
Why was it important to make giving back an ongoing part of Ce Soir’s business model?
Krista & John: Autism is part of our family’s life every day, so we didn’t want our support to be limited to a single event or donation. Committing 10 percent of our annual profits creates a lasting relationship with the school and allows Ce Soir’s success to contribute to something deeply meaningful to our family.
Tell us about Aidan and what ACCS has meant to him and your family.
Krista & John: Aidan is 13 and has severe autism and apraxia, along with significant communication and support needs. He is also joyful, curious and determined, with a wonderful sense of humor and a unique way of experiencing the world.
Finding a school where Aidan is understood as a whole person and not defined by what he cannot do means everything to us. ACCS gives children like Aidan a place where they can feel safe, supported and valued while being encouraged to reach their individual potential.
Emily Kafle, M.Ed., Principal of ACCS, what makes Autism Collier Charter School different?
Emily: We serve students across the autism spectrum and recognize that autism does not look the same for every child. Some students are nonspeaking and use AAC to communicate, while others are working on grade-level academics and preparing for college or employment.
Our job is to meet each student where they are, presume competence and provide the individualized support they need to grow academically, socially, behaviorally and in their independence.
When you serve a child with autism, you’re really serving a whole family. We want parents to feel they are part of our school community and that we are in this together.
What does Ce Soir’s sustained financial commitment make possible?
Emily: State funding alone doesn’t fully fund the model we’ve created. Our students need small classes, high levels of staffing, specialized instruction, therapies, sensory supports, technology and opportunities to learn out in the community.
Sustained support allows us to plan ahead and continue building programs and opportunities we couldn’t provide through state funding alone. Ce Soir’s commitment will help support initiatives such as adaptive theater, a gardening program and transportation that allows students to practice skills out in the community.
How does Ce Soir’s role extend beyond serving great food?
Krista & John: We want Ce Soir to be a place where people connect—not only over beautiful food, but around causes that strengthen our community. A restaurant can bring different people together, raise awareness and introduce guests to organizations they might not otherwise encounter.
If Ce Soir can support local families and create greater understanding of autism, then we’re accomplishing something far more meaningful than serving a memorable meal.
What would you like Naples to understand about ACCS students?
Emily: Our students are capable of so much more than people sometimes assume. Autism can affect how someone communicates, interacts, regulates or shows what they know, but those things shouldn’t determine how much potential we believe they have.
Our students want friendships, belonging, meaningful work and opportunities to contribute, just like everyone else.
Learn more about ACCS at https://www.autismcolliercharter.org today.
And, dine at https://cesoirnaples.com located at 492 Bayfront Place Naples, 34102 to support.
“Finding a school where Aidan is understood as a whole person means everything to us. Supporting ACCS helps protect that opportunity for our family and so many others.”
“We want Ce Soir to be a place where people connect—not only over beautiful food, but around causes that strengthen our community. If we can support local families while creating greater understanding of autism, we’re accomplishing something far more meaningful than serving a memorable meal.”