Ada's Cafe

As the mother of a child with a developmental disability, Kathleen wanted to create opportunities to empower her son and help him be independent.

As Charlie started middle school, Kathleen was inspired to set up a cafe that taught cooking skills to students with special needs. She continued the mission at Charlie’s high school, where she set up a cafe run collaboratively by students in the special day class and their high school peers.

The idea for a cafe like Ada’s came from Kathleen’s personal experience and she now takes over as a mother, cheerleader, and advocate for her employees. Her passion for elevating the lives of adults with disabilities inspires a strong work ethic and fosters a warm and welcoming community.