Gerry’s Café
by Kalliope Bessler
Disabled people in the United States experience disproportionately higher unemployment rates compared to abled people. Gerry’s Café of Arlington Heights, Illinois, is trying to change that. Natalie Griffin, a former Special Education teacher, and Amy Philpott, a businesswoman with a degree in Behavioral Science, are the co-founders of Gerry's Cafe. Their mission is to open a café that will “provide competitive employment for exceptional individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 22 and older. Geralyn Wehmer, the late aunt of Amy Philpott, who was born with Down Syndrome, is the cafe's namesake.
Gerry's Café aims to partially bridge the services cliff (decrease in disability services from government offices) that many disabled young adults experience in their transition from school-age to adulthood by creating a positive and competitive work environment. Young adults with disabilities struggle to find employment because they are discriminated against by employers, cannot find an accepting work environment, or (like many young people new to the workforce) need guidance navigating the workforce.
The non-profit connected to the café, Brewing Opportunities, is currently working with volunteers and ambassadors to promote Gerry's Cafe, accept donations, organize charity events to support the building of the café, and create more work opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
You can follow them and see their website below:
Instagram: gerrys.cafe
Twitter: CafeGerry