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The daily work grind can definitely take its toll, but we easily forget that our jobs hold significant meaning in the way we perceive ourselves and those around us. Most of us are working the majority of our lives and contributing more of our time to the workforce than anything else - which constructs a direct correlation to our own self-worth. In the constant ping pong of the work-life balancing act, Bitty and Beau's coffee shop in North Carolina seems to have gotten it so right.
The coffee shop is not just about serving delicious cinnamon rolls and piping hot cups o' Joe. It's about combining livelihood with community and social responsibility. Bitty and Beau's coffee shop boasts a team of 19 employees - each one on a spectrum of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The customer service is well above your run-of-the-mill grab and go breakfast joint - and there is good reason; each employee has mastered the art of hospitality and providing a unique experience for each and every customer. Their work is their life - but in the healthiest way.
Through their employment, they have been given the opportunity to shine as viable and valuable individuals, showcasing their strengths in a world that is continuously setting them apart as a minority. Bitty & Beau's is a brilliant model for other businesses around the world on how to integrate adults with disabilities in the workforce - giving them the opportunity to use their skills and talents, contribute to society, and provide meaningful experiences, not only for the workplace, but for the clientele, on a daily basis.
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