INVERNESS, Fla. — Along busy Florida Avenue in Inverness, balloons and decorations celebrate the opening of a brand-new café. Sure, you can find something you like on the menu, but there’s more to Journey’s Special Brew Café than soup and a sandwich.
“Please give this place a chance. This is more than just a meal,” urges Chef Ryan Hooper.
Guided by supervisors, nearly 20 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities work at the café. They’re learning a variety of skills; everything from washing dishes to food prep. Job skills like these can boost employability, independence and self-esteem.
Kyle Ehrenborg, 27, is looking forward to a having a job and the paycheck that comes with it. “That I’ll be working and not sitting around doing nothing all day. And I want to be useful and be able to do things,” he said.
Profits from the café will also help support other Journey’s programs, like a nearby day training center. There’s a long waiting list for the center and more scholarships are needed.
The Founder of the Journey to Success Foundation, Chloe Edwards, hopes community residents will support the café. “They can expect good customer service. They can expect our individuals to serve them to the best of their understanding and knowledge,” said Edwards. “We just ask you to be patient, but we promise we’ll get the job done.”
The café is located at 111 N. Florida Ave. in Inverness. The hours are Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
If you can’t make it to the café, but would like to support Journey’s program, you can donate here.
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Javanté is an award-winning journalist, having been recognized by the Associated Press for Best Anchor, Best Reporter and Best Franchise Reporting, just to name a few.
When she's not working, Java is very passionate about giving back to the community, having served on the corporate boards for The Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi, The Civic Ballet Company, The Doniphan Dance Project and the Leadership Council for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. She has volunteered also with a number of civic organizations.