People with differing abilities want to work, but society sometimes makes it difficult for them.  Many employers incorrectly think they are not capable of doing their job. Studies show that nearly 80 percent of adults with differing abilities are unemployed or working in jobs as volunteers or interns making less than minimum wage.

Gerry’s Café provides employment to adults who are looking for an opportunity to be a viable contributor to the community and be paid a competitive wage for their work. The importance of employment cannot be underestimated. Being an employee, colleague, or contributor is a key social role that depends on being in the workforce with equitable wages. With those criteria in place, barriers can be removed to enable people with differing abilities to be true citizens of the world and actively included in society.

Gerry’s Café located in Arlington Heights, Illinois employs adults with differing abilities. They have hired 40+ adults to work in their cafe. This opportunity will also provide training, development, and coaching to grow in their roles.

There are proven benefits to hiring workers with differing abilities as all workers benefit from a diverse work setting. By working alongside employees with differing abilities, individuals who are neurotypical will become more aware of how to make the workplace and other settings more inclusive and accessible to everyone. Given an opportunity, individuals with differing abilities will be extremely loyal, hard-working, punctual, peer and customer-inspiring employees who will work for many years.

The Amina Grace Memorial Fund is pleased to be part of Gerry’s Café’s Build it with Us Capital Campaign as a Hat Sponsor!