Empowering Community Employment One Sip at a Time

Photo of staff/team at Spencer's Place wearing matching purple t-shirts.

Opportunity. Dreams. Choice. How often do you think about these themes and what they mean in your life? There is a sense of purpose and meaning tied to the responsibilities of employment. The American workday not only means financial independence brought by a paycheck, but also a sense of connectedness. The hours add up to a lifetime of potential impact on others around us. Community.

Employment or unemployment is a community issue that boils down to the individual members and our choices. Do we choose to invest and grow or stick to the “this is the way it has always been done” mindset? Many readers will remember this portion of the Declaration of Independence which states “All men are created equal…with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” If you didn’t get it in history class, you probably heard Nicholas Cage quote it in National Treasure (2004). What does it mean? It means people of varying abilities, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or not, are ALL free to contribute to society with their gifts and talents.

There’s a place in Arizona where the culture is percolating change and employment opportunity is brewing. Don’t be shocked. Spencer’s Place in Surprise, AZ is spreading the wonder of what happens when we take a leap to make a change.

Karin York, former teacher in special education, decided to leave her career to start a business. Karin was frustrated on behalf of her graduates. Despite all their efforts, they weren’t getting the chance to utilize their skills and strong work ethics. Thus motivated, she and her son, Spencer, a young man with down syndrome, launched Spencer’s Place, a small coffee shop with a big impact.

Spencer’s Place survived not only the challenges of a start-up business but also the unprecedented hurdles of opening just a few weeks before the pandemic. The welcoming staff serves coffee, delicious specialty drinks, and a variety of baked treats. Their growing menu has added salads, sandwiches, and parfaits.

There’s more to it than filling orders for those rushing to work and the customers who sit and visit in the cozy environment. Spencer’s Place has become a community hub and a shining example of inclusive work. Half of the employees are people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Even just watching the press featured videos or glancing at their Facebook posts, one can get a sense of the vibrant life and feeling of belonging that Spencer’s Place fosters. Community is the heartbeat behind every cup.

Spencer’s Place received recognition and was awarded the S.J. Dilenschneider Community Award. Besides the prestigious honor, they also received $10,000 towards training and employment. The award was a total surprise to Karin York and her team. In the emotional video, you can see Karin’s powerful passion. The individual stories being impacted are overwhelming. Spencer’s Place really does empower people with job skills and confidence to pursue goals and life dreams.

Visit the happening hub and sip a delicious treat at 15341 W. Waddell Rd. #B101 Surprise, AZ 85379. Their second location opened October 2023 at 15116 N. Cotton Ln Surprise, AZ 85388. Not traveling right now? Check them out online at https://spencersplaceaz.com. Connect on Facebook.

What about Pennsylvania? The unemployment rate for adults with IDD is more than twice as high as those without disabilities. Education and conversations can help managers and business owners recognize the untapped potential of this portion of the workforce. Direct Support Professionals can help the people they support pursue dreams and new opportunities in self-employment. Sharing stories from around the country can spark imagination and out of the box thinking. Maybe small businesses can start popping-up in our local neighborhoods. Maybe you will play a driving role in making that change. Everyone has strengths and talents that our community needs to see to thrive. Everyone can make a difference.