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GRAND HAVEN — Serving with a smile? That’s what Grand Haven’s Jessa Lorenhagen does best. At her Kenzie’s BeCafé on Washington Avenue, she serves coffee with a beaming smile.
“I love working here,” she said.
Kenzie’s opened in fall 2022. A nonprofit coffee shop that provides meaningful employment and job training to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We have sister cafes in Ada and Hudsonville.
Barista Clara Sellen calls Kenzie’s “the happiest place in town.”
Selen is a college student who plans to become a special education teacher and the daughter of Kenzie’s manager, Gwen Selen. She has an older sister with Down syndrome who also works at a cafe.
“We need to look at each person and their unique abilities and what they can offer,” Sellen says. “Not everyone wants to do everything, but everyone has their own unique talents. We have a girl in our family who loves cleaning. She doesn’t like cleaning, but she loves everything we offer. Some people can make drinks.
“Some of our employees will continue to work here forever. This is their dream job and working here for the rest of their lives. Other employees have big dreams as well. People talk about wanting to open their own bar one day.”
Customers typically leave satisfied and return often, Thelen said.
“Our people are really fascinating,” she said. “You never leave here in a bad mood. Anyone who walks in the door becomes a regular. It’s hard to get them in the door, but eventually they become regulars.”
Her advice: “Just pop in and have a coffee.”
Kenzie’s isn’t the only company that employs people with disabilities. Lake Effect Kitchen in Grand Haven wants to create a “more inclusive and diverse workplace” through its own hiring efforts. Mandy Anderson, co-owner of the business, calls it “fair employment.”
“Our tagline, ‘Meal Preparation with a Purpose,’ is embedded in our mission,” a statement on the website reads. “We hire people with disabilities based on their abilities… because they positively impact our business. By creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace, we We fulfill our responsibilities to each other and to our communities.”
Nunica’s Greg Bodley, director of special education for four West Michigan school districts, says it’s important to focus on abilities rather than disabilities.
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In Michigan, special education students can remain in school until age 26. By the time the student reaches the age of 18, she will develop an individual transition plan that takes into account her interests and abilities.
“Everyone has something to offer, regardless of disability,” Bodley said.
What is his advice to future employers? “Don’t look at how they physically present themselves. Don’t think they can’t do anything. Look beyond the obstacles.”
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