July 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

Community Impact Q&A

Question & Answer Session with Veronica Myers

Cafe Manager at Whole Latte Love Cafe

QUESTION: Where do you work currently?

ANSWER: Whole Latte Love Café

QUESTION: What is your job title here?

ANSWER: I am the café manager and a DSP

Question: How long have you been employed with your current job? ANSWER: I started training before the café opened- Starting Nov 2021

QUESTION: How long have you been employed in this industry?

ANSWER: I have spent a good portion of my life volunteering to work with those with disabilities, starting when I was a young teen.

QUESTION: Educational background.

ANSWER: I attended college for about 2 years studying psychology. When my son’s needs became too great, I decided it was best to focus my time and effort on his therapy and education. I have always wanted to work with people with disabilities.

QUESTION: What other professional associations are you a member of? (Board of Director, Volunteer organizations, etc)

ANSWER: Currently, Whole Latte Love Café and Landon’s therapies monopolize all of my time. In the past I was very involved in Autism Speaks Stark County chapter (Until they were dissolved) and have helped in different classrooms as well as help other parents navigate initial diagnosis and IEP meetings.

QUESTION: What do your day-to-day job responsibilities include?

ANSWER: At Whole Latte Love Café, we call our adults with disabilities our Trainees. We are training them for job skills in the community. My job as a DSP is to find out where they need the most help and create a plan or set of goals to improve those skills. Each trainee who comes to the café has a different goal in mind, so we tailor what they are learning to help them reach that goal. Some days it may require modeling good social skills, other days it may be creating a recipe using pictures so someone who may not be a strong reader has a way to follow along. Everyday we provide a program we call Empower and we teach our trainees about their rights and different skills they may need in a work environment and life. As the Café manager I help schedule maintenance for any of our equipment, make each area of the café compliant with the health department, schedule staff and trainees for their shifts, work with other DSP’s to make sure all procedures are clear and being implemented with each staff and trainee.

QUESTION: What is the inspiration behind why you work in this field?

ANSWER: I grew up with a sister with a disability and then had a son with a disability. I have always been frustrated by the public’s perception of people’s differences and assumptions of what they cannot do. I want people to see the worth and capabilities of those who may seem different from what they are used to. Different does not equal less.

QUESTION: What part of your job are your most passionate about?

ANSWER: I love showing our trainees what they are capable of, teaching and pushing them. Then, watch the pride on their face as they realize they have mastered something they thought was impossible. You can see on their face when a new skill clicks. It’s amazing to see them light up and gain confidence in themselves.

QUESTION: What advice would you give to someone who is new to your field?

ANSWER: I think it’s important for anyone to know that being a DSP or working with those with disabilities can be an emotional rollercoaster. Learn to take one day at a time and not take every emotion thrown your way personally.

QUESTION: If you could go back and talk to yourself at the beginning of your career, what advice would you give yourself?

ANSWER: I would have started much sooner. I spent a lot of time working in a different field because I was concerned I didn’t have enough education to work with this population. I wish that I would not have discounted my life experiences and volunteer work, because I am truly happy now!

QUESTION: What advice would you give to parents in your field to help navigate?

ANSWER: As a parent, I fully understand the want/need to protect our babies, especially when it can feel like the cards are stacked against them. I would encourage every parent to explore all options out there in our community to help them grow. Use these programs to push your children to continue to learn and better themselves.