TAMPA, Fla. — July is Disability Pride Month, an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community.
Here in the Tampa Bay area, there's a business committed to uplifting that community throughout the entire year: Coffee Uniting People or "CUP."
CUP is a non-profit coffeehouse, employing people over 22 with disabilities, including Cody Groom. The 24-year-old welcomes every order, telling 10 Tampa Bay that his favorite part of the job is talking with people and seeing the dogs that are brought into the café.
CUP General Manager Stephanie Williams said opportunities for young adults with disabilities are slim.
"After 22, that age just drops off and there's no place for them to go. So we needed a place," Williams said. "Presently, I have 38 employees working for me, not including shift leads and managers, and then I have about 55 people waiting on the waitlist for jobs."
Williams said CUP has expanded quickly since 2022 to keep up with demand, with two cafes open now and plans to open a third.
"Hopefully if it keeps going the way it is and having all the community support like we've had. I can't see that we won't be able to find a job for every single one of them at some point," Williams said.
Moreover, she hopes CUP's dedicated workforce will inspire other businesses to expand their hiring opportunities.
"Everyone with a disability, no matter how severe, can have a job," she said.
There are job opportunities similar to those offered at CUP across the state.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has a program specifically for "Unique Abilities Resources" that can connect you and your family to businesses like CUP. For more information, click here.