Kenzie’s Be Café continues to build up employees with intellectual disabilities
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — A coffee shop with the goal of providing life skills and meaningful employment to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities is holding strong, with April 13 marking 150 days of business.
The milestone for the nonprofit Kenzie’s Be Café comes as two employees will soon be taking on more responsibilities. Starting next month, baristas Ben Cron and Sarah Vanelzelingen will also be working at The Kirby House – a restaurant just a mile away.
Both employees have been with the café since their Nov. 14, 2022 grand opening, and have come a long way when it comes to communication.
“When I started, I barely – you know – talked to anybody,” Cron said. “Now, I can feel like I can talk to any customer that comes in.”
