Page 12 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2024

N Ne e w w & & Inclusive
A Latte Friends Gives Superstars With Special Abilities a Place To Do Meaningful Work
story by Cherie Ward photos courtesy of A Latte Friends
A Latte Friends in D’Iberville is an up-and-coming café with a much greater purpose than just handing out fresh coffee each morning.
The breakfast and lunch bistro’s mission focuses on the abilities of its baristas and employs 19 special needs men and women looking to make an impact on their community with the perfect latte served with an angelic smile. The concept is the brainchild of Tanya Estep, a special education teacher in the Harrison County School District who recently retired and wanted to start a new business with a focus on a particular group of people.
“I taught a self-contained class and there are not many opportunities for my students after high school,” Estep said. “They leave us at 21, but they don’t go to college. They don’t join the army. Any work they can do is extremely limited, and I just thought it would be amazing if we could open something like this for our babies.”
Estep and two of her special education colleagues will train the baristas, who are also known as Superstars, in the arts of greeting guests, taking orders, and preparing drinks and food. Each of these superstar men and women will work two to three days a week totaling about 20 hours.
Unfortunately, almost 80 percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed nationwide, a number Estep and her crew are trying to change with each customer served. She added one of the Superstars is so excited to have his first job he tells everyone he meets where he works and invites them to stop by and visit him. “And he always promises them great service,” she said.
The menu includes a variety of pastries and biscuits as well as lots of coffee and drink options, and a coffee distributor in Flowood created a special blend just for A Latte Friends. “We wanted to keep that connection with Mississippi,” Estep said.
A Latte Friends opened last month at 10530 Auto Mall Parkway in D’Iberville. Hours are from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
So, stop in and say hi, because these Superstars are warming hearts and spreading joy one cup of java at a time.
COAST NOTE
12 | October 2024 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living