MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Goodwill Easter Seals hosted a celebration for their Connections Cafe, which provides training for adults with developmental disabilities to prepare them for the workforce.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30 p.m., the Goodwill Easter Seals Connections Cafe celebrated its first anniversary today.
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They had several items for sale, and the whole time, participants were learning real-world service skills.
News Center 7′s Mason Fletcher talked with Mahalia Stoneman, who has been working the register at the cafe for the whole year.
“It was always been a dream of mine to work as a cashier,” Stoneman said.
Stoneman is one of 138 people who have trained with the program.
“They’re learning how to run a cash register. And they are also learning how to meet with customers and give really good customer service. Say hello, greet them in the morning,” The Director of Community Support Services, Allison Underwood, said.
The cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and workers get feedback on their skills every day from a job coach.
“So the job coach is working alongside each one of them, whether it’s food prep or working the register. And they’re telling them, yes, you’re doing a great job. That’s exactly the right amount of change,” Underwood said.
The program provides real work experience and helps workers bridge the gap to a job outside.
“It is so rewarding. It’s definitely why I come to work every day,” Underwood said.
“[It’s] wonderful. Amazing. Life changing,” Stoneman said.
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