celebrating workplace diversity Written by Melissa Klatt Photography by Michelle Herdlick
Whole Latte Love Cafe: Serving Coffee, Tea, and Smiles
Photo by Laura Esposito Photography, LLC
Featuring Q&As with Arianna, Calista, and Megan Imagine waking up on the right side of the bed, strolling outside in the beautiful weather, and taking a drive out to grab coffee from your local coffee shop. You step in the shop’s front door and are greeted with the biggest smile, warming your heart as you make your way to the cashier. The rich aroma of coffee is swirling in the air, and you see a menu full of mouth-watering, hand-crafted breakfast items to pair with your cup of Joe. And on the team of wonderful staff who put your breakfast together are phenomenally diverse individuals who are thrilled to see you … as if you belong there. At Whole Latte Love Cafe, this is your reality! (Okay, sometimes without the beautiful weather part. It’s Ohio.) Whole Latte Love Cafe Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that not only appreciates diversity; they celebrate it! Its mission is to create a safe, inclusive working environment for persons with developmental disabilities through
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meaningful work to enrich themselves and their community. Every cup of coffee is served with a smile! Supporting the Special Needs Community Through Action Even though 83% of organizations in 2021 said they have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the reality is that these initiatives fall short for people with disabilities. Often, disability is left out of the DEI discussion! This can create an extra challenge for persons with disabilities. But you run across people with disabilities more often than you think! According to the CDC, one in four Americans lives with a disability that impacts major life activities. (CDC: 1 in 4 US adults live with a disability, CDC Website) However, disability doesn’t discriminate. It affects a wide range of people from all walks of life and demographics. Whole Latte Love Cafe offers job training to help its employees live their best lives in Stark County. “We are hardworking, welcoming, and kind,” says owner Beth Humbert. “Our desires are the same as everyone else. We all need to feel valued. It will be rewarding when this concept is fully recognized!”
