The Delaware County Courthouse has a special new coffee spot for employees that’s making strides in the world of inclusivity, writes Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
Common Grounds is a new coffee stand in the courthouse lobby that employs neurodiverse adults and individuals with disabilities. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to experience a public-facing job.
One of the employees, Lexi Febert, discussed how she had a hard time finding jobs in the past.
“I’m autistic,” the Drexel Hill resident said. “I’ve struggled with getting jobs because of being misunderstood.”
Now, she happily works the register, assists with serving drinks and greets customers.
The coffee cart is operated by Aneway, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting independence and inclusivity.
Amiee Rubin, the organization’s founder and CEO, also runs Game On State in Media, an arcade that similarly employs individuals with disabilities.
“They need to be in a place where businesses are focusing on what they can do, instead of what they can’t do,” Rubin said.
Liam MacCurtin is another employee at Common Grounds who has Down Syndrome. MacCurtin expressed how much he loves his job and the positive impact it’s had on his life.
Learn more about Common Grounds in the Delaware County Courthouse and the impact it has at CBS News Philadelphia.
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