Many of us are familiar with the idea of socially conscious
coffee – pay a little more to ensure fair trade or choose a certain brand to
support humanitarian programs. Dirt Coffee Bar is taking the socially conscious
concept one step further – coffee served by the very people your purchase
supports.
When it opens in 2014 Dirt will be run largely by young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dirt
aims to empower the autism community by providing young adults with the
opportunity to grow personally, cultivate professional skills, and earn an
income – all while serving great coffee to the community. Dirt will be the foundation of growth for its employees.
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Dirt Coffee Bar is a project founded by Garden, Inc. Garden
provides services to children, adolescents, and adults with Autism Spectrum
Disorders. Garden’s Employment Cultivation Program provides clients with pre-vocational training needed to attain and maintain employment. In 2013, the Employment
Cultivation Program was nationally recognized as an Exemplary Organization by
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research due to its success working with adults on the spectrum. Most of
the jobs Garden’s Employment Cultivation Program finds for clients are through community partnerships and external companies. By establishing a coffee shop run by young adults with autism, Garden will be able to provide clients with secure and
supportive employment focused on growth and independence.
Starting a coffee shop run by adults with autism has long
been a dream of Garden Founder, Lauren Thome, and Garden Therapist, Emily
Wallace. The co-founders of Dirt are passionate about impacting the autism
community and each personally work as employment cultivation specialists with
Garden clients. The partnership with Garden will pair experienced therapists
with young adults with autism, ensuring that clients receive necessary training
and support as they embark on their careers.
Why Support Dirt?
Dirt’s mission is to “empower the autism community by
raising awareness, cultivating jobs and creating sustainable prosperity through
quality coffee.” As the number of
individuals with autism is increasing, so is the number of young adults with
autism who are unable to find employment.
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People with disabilities who work and live independently use
fewer social services and financial support from the government. By supporting
Dirt, you are creating jobs for young adults with autism.
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Why is Dirt Different?
Dirt will be 100% socially responsible. We begin with organic,
fair-trade coffee, air roasted by Kaladi Coffee in Denver and grown by Café Femenino
certified farms. The Café Femenino foundation strives to support women in
coffee-producing communities throughout the world. The coffee is then brewed at
Dirt by young adults with autism. We’re
focused on being socially responsible from the ground all the way to the cup. A latte served up with the opportunity to support a great cause? Maybe it’s time to put a little Dirt in your coffee cup.
Your contribution
will be used to:
·
Buy high quality
equipment including an espresso machine, coffee grinders and brewers
· Pay rent, licenses, and
start-up costs
·
Employ two young adults
with autism part-time for the first year
·
Provide these employees
job coaching and training through Garden
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