A Heartwarming Reunion at Esteamed Coffee
A Special Reunion
Able to Serve participants and staff recently visited Esteamed Coffee in Cary, where they experienced much more than just excellent coffee. The highlight of the visit was reuniting with Ryan, a beloved Able to Serve participant who has found meaningful employment at this innovative coffee shop. The gathering represented the power of supportive communities coming together, as participants had the opportunity to see firsthand how inclusive workplaces can create positive change in people’s lives.
Meet Ryan
Behind the espresso machine at Esteamed Coffee stands Ryan, a kind-hearted and cheerful person whose smile brightens everyone’s day. When he’s not crafting the perfect coffee drink – his favorite part of the job – you might find him enjoying pepperoni and sausage pizza or spending summer days on a swing, listening to rock n’ roll music. Family means the world to Ryan, as shown through his cherished visits with his grandmother, and he especially looks forward to Thanksgiving celebrations. His journey reflects both his dedicated work at Esteamed and his continued connection with Able to Serve, where he maintains strong relationships with instructors and friends while looking for opportunities for growth and helping others.
Esteamed Coffee
Esteamed Coffee stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity in the Cary community, operating as a non-profit establishment with a mission that perfectly aligns with Able to Serve’s values. The coffee shop is dedicated to addressing the critical issue of unemployment among adults with intellectual, developmental, communication, and visual disabilities by providing them with meaningful employment opportunities. Through their innovative approach, Esteamed Coffee has created a warm, welcoming environment where employees can develop valuable job skills while engaging with customers and building confidence.
Impact on the Community
Able to Serve and Esteamed Coffee demonstrate how organizations can successfully combine social impact with quality service. Through success stories like Ryan’s, both organizations show that when communities come together with shared values and purpose, they create lasting positive change in people’s lives. This model of inclusive employment does more than provide jobs – it builds confidence, creates connections, and transforms lives.
