This guest post is by Danielle Hollis, Director of Grants & Impact Philanthropy at Aspire CoffeeWorks. Danielle is applying for our Supporting Small Businesses That Hire People With Disabilities Grant Opportunity ran by my nonprofit KFM Making A Difference. You can learn more about the grant opportunity here.
I hope you can support my nonprofit like I’m trying to support our community. I also produce educational videos to celebrate neurodiversity by spotlighting individuals impacted by a diagnosis. Learn more on how you can help our cause with a small donation (just asking for $3 today, equal to your daily cup of coffee) here.
Founded in 1960, Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of people with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families, and build embracing communities. Aspire’s vision is to create a community where people of all abilities live, work, and learn together. Aspire currently provides service support to an estimated 1,000 individuals and 600 households across Cook and Lake County, Illinois, and southeastern Wisconsin.
As a recognized leader in disability services, Aspire stands out from other service providers by 1) creating mutually beneficial partnerships to strengthen communities from within, 2) investing in innovative solutions to drive person-centered results, and 3) promoting models for inclusion beyond society’s expectations. We are committed to creating a better future for people with disabilities by embracing innovation, creativity, and most of all possibility. Using a more inclusive mindset, Aspire replaced the traditional sheltered workshop model with a more community-based model focused on helping people gain transferrable job skills required to secure a job in the community earning at or above minimum wage. Today, this new model of employment support empowers each person with transferable job skills that will help them succeed in a more competitive job market. In 2009, Aspire launched its first social enterprise, Aspire CoffeeWorks, in partnership with Metropolis Coffee to provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, while diversifying the organization’s revenue streams to create a more sustainable model for long-term success.
100% of Aspire CoffeeWorks’ net proceeds go back to Aspire to support vital and meaningful programs and services.
STORY #1 – Alicia
Alicia has worked at Aspire CoffeeWorks since 2016 and enjoys being part of a diverse team of people working side-by-side in a fun, supportive environment that feels like extended family. Alicia’s responsibilities range from scooping, weighing, and grinding coffee, and labeling, sealing, and packaging up coffee bags to delivering coffee orders to client offices across the Chicagoland area. She started out working offsite at our frac pack manufacturer’s plant in Wood Dale, IL labeling frac packs,” recalled Katie Welge, Director of Aspire CoffeeWorks. When the plant relocated, it opened the door to a new opportunity for Alicia – working in production at the Metropolis Coffee Company roastery in Chicago, which is Aspire CoffeeWorks’ “home base.” The transition was seamless! After finishing a task, like labeling 200 coffee bags, and before moving on to the next order of business, Alicia likes to give elbow-bumps and let everyone know they did a good job. “We couldn’t be happier to have Alicia on our team,” said Katie. “She’s the best employee anyone could ask for. She has made a tremendous positive impact on our business and team culture.” Alicia feels the same. “I love Aspire CoffeeWorks. I like the people. I like coffee,” said Alicia.
STORY #2 – Marcus
Marcus was enrolled in Aspire’s Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Career Academy and was eager to find employment within his community. After an Aspire team member suggested Marcus for the job opening at Aspire CoffeeWorks, he took the initiative to apply and became the newest addition to the Aspire CoffeeWorks team shortly thereafter. “Marcus has an incredible work ethic and an infectious positive attitude. From Day 1, it was clear that Marcus was a quick learner. He is always one step ahead of me and puts in 100% percent all day, every day. He is an employee I know I can always count on to get the job done and have fun while doing it.” When asked about his experience working at Aspire Coffee Works, Marcus shared, “In my soul, I love this place.” He went on while holding a coffee bag that he labeled and marked with his signature, as each team member does after filling each bag. “That’s my name [on the back of the bag]. I’m proud. I love my job.”
STORY #3 – Bridget
Bridget was enrolled in Aspire’s independent living program when she heard about a job opportunity at Aspire CoffeeWorks. Bridget said, “When I heard about the chance to work at Aspire CoffeeWorks and saw how they roasted coffee I thought, that’s my dream job!” Bridget was so good at her job that Aspire CoffeeWorks’ partner, Metropolis Coffee Company, hired her to work exclusively on their staff in a position that was full-time. Today, she commutes an hour by public transportation to and from her job as a production assistant and has received many promotions since joining Metropolis. She even has her own office now! Not surprisingly, Bridget’s family is very proud of her. They’re proud that she has a steady job, that she handles the commute by bus and train, and does everything else it takes to live independently. Bridget has come a long way. No one would know it when talking to her now, but she claims she’s a quiet person and a little shy. “Aspire helped me learn how to express myself instead of keeping everything inside like I used to do. I’m really happy that I can sit and have a conversation with someone because that’s not something I was able to do before.” Even though Bridget works for Metropolis now, she wears her Aspire CoffeeWorks t-shirt on the days when the Aspire CoffeeWorks team is there and likes to visit with the team throughout the day.
TESTIMONIAL – FROM RENE “Before disabilities were more recognizable, some people weren’t considered “normal”. It’s important to have a month like National Disability Employment Month because it can show people that despite having a disability, regardless of the type, learning or mental disabilities, we can contribute to the workforce just like everybody else.” – Rene, Aspire CoffeeWorks Team member. At Aspire, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is no different than any other month for our team. We remain committed to advancing workplace inclusion and employment equity is driven by the power of possibility—because we know that together, we’re better! During this month we invite our network of community, employment, and innovation partners to create new possibilities to build a more inclusive community for people of all abilities.
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Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education.
Have Kerry, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
