For most young people, you get a job either while in high school – or shortly after – to gain a little bit of independence and have some extra spending money for those dates you want to go on or that new game you want to buy.
What if you tried getting a job but just couldn’t because companies wouldn’t hire you? For one 23-year-old, that became a reality. “After I turned 21, I applied to multiple places,” Michael Coyne, a Special Olympic athlete from Smithfield, Rhode Island, told WLNE-TV.
That’s when he thought of the idea to start his own business, and with the help of his mom, he made that idea a reality! After taking some business classes through the Rhode Island Developmental Disability Center, they started a coffee shop and called it Red White & Brew Coffeehouse.
It isn’t just any coffeeshop; they employ people who have developmental disabilities and they buy locally roasted coffee beans. Besides that, they sell muffins, pastries, and calzones too. They also share the building with another organization, The Budding Violet, which is a gift shop filled with items from local artists. Many of the artists also have disabilities.
Michael’s mom Sheila said, “As parents, we look at our kids and we see the value. We see what they have, we see what they’re capable of. Instead of the system that’s constantly labeling them, putting barriers (on them).” She continued, “What I liked about the coffeeshop idea was it’s community. So, it’s learning on both sides. You know, we teach people about, you know, yeah he has a disability but look what he’s doing and he’s out in the community getting his social skills.”
This small coffeeshop operation is reaching far beyond Rhode Island. The Coynes have said that they have been getting letters from all over the country, including California. One letter read,
Hello From California! Heard your story through social media. Congratulations on opening your coffee shop. Wishing you many decades of success! You are brave and inspirational.
They’re hoping to get 5,000 likes on Facebook, and as of right now, they only need about 50 more likes to reach that goal! If you’re ever in the area, make sure to stop by and say hi.
Photo Credit: WPRI Fox News 12
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