Business partners Petra and Rachel operate the Coffee Shed, a small coffee shop in New College’s Wetmore Hall lobby. They sell sandwiches, baked goods, and organic, fair-trade coffee and tea.
On the surface, their business is like any other. The difference lies in the fact that both women have Down syndrome. Everyone who works at the Coffee Shed has some form of developmental disability, and all are full partners in the business.
The women are part of a unique business partnership specifically designed to allow persons with such disabilities to earn an income and interact with the community. The program, which includes four Coffee Shed outlets in Toronto, aims to offer those with disabilities an alternative to relative isolation in workshops or reliance on modest government allowances.
The Coffee Shed is an offshoot of a thriving catering service that is owned and run by people with autism, Down’s syndrome, and other disabilities. The vendors operate under the umbrella of an organization called Common Ground Co-operative, which is leading a growing movement to create sustainable, self-motivated opportunities for developmentally challenged people who are often marginalized. In order to join the Common Ground partnership, each partner must be selected on the basis of his or her ability to learn about business, customer service, and culinary arts.
“People love our lemon squares, and our brownies,” said Petra, who has worked at The Coffee Shed for almost five years. “I like coming to work and seeing people’s happy faces.” Like all of the partners, she has completed eight weeks of courses in money management, democratic processes, marketing and promotion, and register operations.
Avoiding the frustration of intermittent, subordinate jobs, the partners at Common Ground, who number 53, are involved in all spheres of their business, including decision-making and operating responsibilities.
Delivered freshly-made from a Toronto caterer, the Coffee Shed’s edibles have a homemade feel to them. “People tell us we’ve got good food. I think our cookies and muffins are great,” said Lynn Symons, one of the Coffee Shed’s partners.
“It’s amazing what a person can do if you give them the chance,” said Alice Bikeeva, job coach at The Coffee Shed. “These partners are working toward independence and self-respect. Their quality of life is enhanced by this business.”
The Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ontario Trillium Foundation funds the full-time training staff.
The principal of New College, David Clandfield, and the assistant principal and registrar, Sally Walker, have been advocates of The Coffee Shed, providing it with rent-free space to operate. The New College Student Council and SAC also offer support by participating in Listening Committee meetings, where they provide feedback and encouragement to the partners.
“There is a proverb,” said Bikeeva. “Give a person a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a person to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. That is what is happening here. Everyone involved with this partnership is learning skills to create long-term success. But it’s also developing the whole individual-all aspects of a person: physical, mental, and personal.
“My job-and the job of all of the coaches-is to be on hand if we are needed, but to let them make it on their own.”
