Courtney's Cafe

Courtney, who is now 21, is a sweet girl, with an engaging smile and a deep love for family and friends. She also has autism and an intellectual disability.  In 2011 Courtney was the victim of an assault by someone she thought was a friend.  This life-altering event turned our world upside down, but through therapy and time, the hurt began to heal.  As her mother, though, I felt the need to do something more.  So, with the help of Courtney's home aides, we opened a place where young adults, like Courtney, can safely gather to socialize, form bonds of friendship and explore their community, all in a safe, supervised setting.  We recently became an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy of San Luis Obispo, whose mission to serve those with developmental disabilities is right in line with ours.
Currently we offer social groups and enrichment activities, such as our Music Club and Art Club.  We are now working on opening a cafe in our location, with most of the employees coming from the population we serve and having the full support of trained, caring individuals. This will be an excellent opportunity for adults with developmental disabilities to have access to job training, to learn and improve their social skills, and will provide them with a business that they can help to shape and grow.
It will take a community, though, to help us see this to fruition.  There are structural changes to make for improved wheelchair accessibility (we are located in a Victorian manse) and equipment purchases to make.
Our main goal is to help our adults become as successful as possible in helping to run the cafe and any support we receive will be very much appreciated!

www.courtneyshouseca.org
www.facebook.com/CourtneysHouseCA