For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, breaking into the workforce can be difficult—something that the Price Center, a Newton-based nonprofit, is working to change. On Feb. 13, the Center opened The Kindness Café, an inclusive coffee shop where individuals with various disabilities receive not only barista training, but a pathway to potential employment. 

“The most important thing they’re learning is that they matter and they’re valued, and they’re contributing to society,” said Price Center CEO Abby Parrilla. “They’re earning a paycheck. It’s amazing.” 

The cafe is invitation-only and operates out of the Center’s main building three mornings a week.

The idea originated about a year ago, when an anonymous donor provided seed money for a grant aimed at launching a business within the Price Center. Rather than deciding on her own what that business should be, Parrilla brought the question directly to participants.

“So rather than just thinking about what I thought would be important, I went right to our individuals in the employment program, and I said, if you could dream big, I’m all about dreaming big, and you could have a business, what would it be?” Parrilla said.

The answer she received was almost immediate—a coffee shop. From there, Parrilla worked with participants to design not just the program, but the physical space. On a trip to a coffee supply warehouse, they handpicked the cafe’s equipment.

“They [participants] were involved for the inception, the creation of the program, the idea, purchasing of the equipment, and testing the equipment that we purchased,” Parrilla said. “And then together, we also created, not only the space, but the uniqueness and the ambience of the cafe. One of our individuals was the one who came up with the name ‘The Kindness Café.’”

Training at the cafe requires both technical and interpersonal skills. Participants learn to steam and froth milk, distinguish drinks, and manage inventory, all while developing valuable customer service and social skills. Amanda Ante, the program’s job developer and job coach, works with each trainee to match their learning style and pace.

“Basically, train them for the job, let them work the job, gain the experience, and then go ahead and do it independently out in the community,” Ante said.

Ante said she has already seen meaningful growth in participants since the program launched. 

“They nailed down the cappuccinos the other day, and we were all so excited, because it was the best foam that we made since we opened,” Ante said. “I think it’s just the little wins that mean the most.”

Price Center participant Peter Johnson is one of the cafe’s barista trainees. For Johnson, joining the program was about more than learning to make coffee. 

“For me individually, it was more of like trying something new, and really trying to basically take over the skills that I have had before,” Johnson said. 

The program aims to place trainees at external jobs within six to eight months. Johnson hopes to one day bring his skills and passion to a full-time job in dining services. His current favorite drink to make is hot chocolate. 

The seed money that funds the cafe will run out at the end of the fiscal year in June, making community support critical to its survival. 

“I have to find a way to replenish and keep the program going, and I’m also always looking for different types of support,” Parilla said. “We’re just getting started.” 

Parrilla said several foundations have already expressed interest, and a handful of local coffee shops have reached out about potential partnerships and future employment opportunities for trainees. Guests are invited to make donations to help support the program. 

The overall response from the Newton community, both Parilla and Ante agree, has exceeded expectations. 

“The one thing that we have received is kindness from everyone,” Ante said. “I mean, just the support is, I mean, astronomical. It’s really just knowing that they all care. They all want to help. It’s nice to know that there’s people there to help.” 

Overall, the success of the Kindness Café comes down to something simpler than barista certifications or job placements. It is about shifting the way the world treats people with disabilities.

“We want to make sure that these individuals are given the fair chance that they deserve, just like everyone else,” Ante said. “At the heart of that is just kindness.”