Local café in Monona hires employees with diverse abilities
JavaAbilities Cafe: A Coffee Shop with a Mission in Monona, Wisconsin
JavaAbilities, a unique coffee shop located at 5734 Monona Dr, Monona, WI, has been serving the community since July 2025. The café exclusively hires individuals with disabilities, providing meaningful employment opportunities for a community that often faces employment barriers.
The café's business model is centered on social impact, focusing on inclusivity and empowerment by creating jobs strictly for people with disabilities. This approach fosters a supportive work environment and raises awareness within the community about the capabilities of differently abled individuals.
Mary Kay Clark and Tim McDonald are the co-owners of JavaAbilities. Clark, who has been involved in the disability community for about 20 years, and McDonald, who has had a vision of bringing a community café to the area, employing individuals with differing abilities for about 5 years, are at the helm of this innovative venture.
Brandon Twieg, one of JavaAbilities' first employees, considers his job at the café as a significant milestone in his career. Twieg, who mainly runs the front register and serves as a barista, emphasizes that a disability should not be the defining factor in one's abilities.
JavaAbilities currently employs approximately 20 individuals, with about half having a disability. The café's workforce includes individuals with Down syndrome, autism, learning disorders, and physical disabilities.
In an effort to expand its job opportunities, JavaAbilities aims to open a drive-thru and add mobile ordering options. The café has been busy since it opened last month, with Zach McDonald, an employee at JavaAbilities, helping to make drinks, mop, sweep, take out the trash, stock, and organize.
The café's success has not gone unnoticed. There is a related café in Madison that supports people with disabilities, which may indicate a broader movement for similar initiatives. However, there is no explicit information on JavaAbilities' expansion plans beyond Monona.
Clark is involved with agencies that provide jobs for individuals with differing abilities beyond JavaAbilities in Dane County. Her involvement in the disability community, combined with McDonald's vision, has made JavaAbilities a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment in Monona.
Brandon Twieg's story is a testament to the café's mission. He considers his job at JavaAbilities as a significant milestone in his career, and he is proud to be part of a community that values inclusivity and empowerment. JavaAbilities is more than just a coffee shop; it's a place where everyone is welcome and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
- JavaAbilities, being a pioneer in the health-and-wellness sector, extends its mission beyond coffee by fostering a supportive work environment for individuals with disabilities, promoting lifestyle changes that encourage inclusivity and empowerment.
- As the coffee shop industry evolves, JavaAbilities demonstrates a commitment to social impact by incorporating fashion-and-beauty elements into its workforce uniforms, further emphasizing its dedication to diversity and inclusion.
- In the realm of science and lifestyle, the success of JavaAbilities showcases a new model for food-and-drink businesses, with an emphasis on home-and-garden principles, as this unique café strives to enhance both the physical space and the lives of its employees.
