New cafe is brewing kindness

There’s a new cafe in town, tucked into a corner of HealthPoint at Wooster Community Hospital: the Joyful Cafe.

Some days an extra treat might be a bit of singing from behind the counter by employees, and the cafe serves coffee in many varieties, protein smoothies, baked treats, light snacks and lunch items.

As Heather Yates’ daughter, Amanda Yates, was aging out of high school, the reality of the lack of jobs available to adults with intellectual disabilities hit home.

“Holly Pope created General Grounds in Wooster High School,” Heather Yates said. “Amanda, along with other students, was very successful in that environment. So I thought, ‘Why not bring something like that into our community, a place where we could employ adults with disabilities?’”

A friend introduced Yates to local philanthropistsBarry Romich and Robin Wisner. The trio discovered they shared a passion for the project, Wooster Community Hospital donated the space and the Joyful Cafe was born.

Keeping things local, the cafe partnered with Sure House Coffee Roasting Company in Wooster for their coffee and Salt Creek Cafe in Fredericksburg for food items.

Currently the cafe employs seven adults with disabilities who work alongside a full-time manager. “We have volunteer staff who come in when the manager isn’t available,” Heather Yates said.

Lisa Urian is one of the cafe employees. “You get to have new people in your life to be your friends,” she said. “It’s rewarding when your family comes in, and I like making my own money too.”

“I’m excited to be working here," Amanda Yates said. "I’m meeting new people and making new friends.”

Urian explained the cafe always has a little something on hand to give to children who visit. “Right now we have candy canes,” she said. “We want them to feel welcome here.”

During a recent morning, Amanda Yates and Urian were busy greeting customers and making coffees to order.

“Everyone who comes to Joyful Cafe, we treat them with kindness,” Urian said.

Two teachers from Edgewood Middle School had coffee at the cafe. “I think it’s a great thing for the community and a great thing for these adults who are working here,” said Michelle Spreng, one of the teachers.

“The cafe provides something the community needs and everybody likes, and it gives people meaningful employment,” said Bonnie Brown, the other teacher.

The teachers both said the coffee was delicious, their muffin was very fresh and tasty, and the service was great.

“I’ve been smelling the coffee every morning and wanted to come in,” said Linda Skalsky, another customer. “I’m glad it’s here.”

Customers Denise Brown and Trish Barille shared their thoughts as well. Brown said, “I think it’s wonderful they are giving these young people an opportunity to serve their community like this.”

“They do a wonderful job, and they have everything. It’s a great idea,” Barille said.

“If you need a little extra joy or just to get a smile for the day, Joyful Cafe is definitely the place to be,” Heather Yates said. “We put a little bit of joy into everyone’s life.”

The nonprofit cafe relies on donations to help with operating costs. Heather Yates said the costs to get the cafe up and running were high. Anyone interested in donating may do so online via the website or by sending a check made out to Joyful Enterprises, 558 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691.

“You know why I love Joyful Cafe?” Urian said. “It’s like a Christmas-spirit cafe. It’s joyful.”

The Joyful Cafe is located in the lobby at HealthPoint, 3727 Friendsville Road, Wooster.

Cafe hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Find the Joyful Cafe online at www.joyfulcafe.org and on Facebook.