Ken Anderson Alliance
Only 21% of individuals with disabilities aged 16-64 are employed and many of them are underemployed. It can be hard for adults with developmental disabilities to find appropriate job opportunities and earn above minimum wage. As a result, the vast majority are living under the poverty level and rely on government assistance.
The Cincinnati-based Ken Anderson Alliance (KAA) seeks to address these issues by providing a quality of life that enables adults with disabilities to develop and sustain lifelong relationships, independence and self-esteem while contributing to the greater Cincinnati community. KAA believes that adults with disabilities have the human and civil rights to live, work, engage, socialize, love, learn and worship in the settings and manner of their choosing, with the support of families and friends. Its programs include living/housing, working and community engagement initiatives.
The organization’s WORK program understands the importance of employment by hiring special needs adults into a safe, comfortable and fulfilling environment, helping them develop independence and self-esteem, fight back against social isolation and loneliness, and foster higher achievement.
Miguel Garcia
P&G Alumni Grant Champion
Leslie Odioso
P&G Alumni Grant Champion
Miguel Garcia
28 years in Finance, North America and Latin America
Leslie Odioso
11 years in Quality Assurance, North America
Miguel has supported KAA for the past 3 years as a donor and now as a consultant in the design and promotion of the “Just Brew Coffeehouse”, the initiative associated with the grant award. Miguel is also leading a KAA effort to establish a shared services model for administrative functions (accounting, HR, and IT).
Leslie has been involved with KAA as the Development Coordinator since November 2019. She has led the implementation of new management information systems and increased sponsorship of key fundraising events.
“This initiative is very much aligned with P&G’s ‘Project REACH’ which provides paid internship opportunities for students with disabilities, and it underlines how P&G, as a company, believes in self-sufficiency and in helping people gain skills that will help them become independent. By supporting ‘Just Brew’, the P&G Alumni Foundation will be making a difference in our community in general and offering a life changing opportunity for people with disabilities.” – Miguel Garcia
The “Just Brew Coffee House” is a KAA employment initiative designed to empower its employees towards financial independence with the knowledge that their abilities are greater than their disabilities. They will earn above minimum wage and receive training in real jobs that can transfer out to the greater community. Just Brew will enable its employees to take this training and new job skills to other businesses and serve as a stepping-stone to elevate their careers to the next level if they so desire.
Employee participants are adults with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. It is a place “Where Coffee Brews Purpose.” Employees interact with customers in a variety of ways:
The Dining Room attendant maintains the customer service areas including sit down tables, self service area and retail items.
The Food Prep attendant prepares food items for guests and stocks the Ready to Eat Food items.
The Cashier takes customer orders and ensures the guests receive the correct items.
The P&G Alumni Foundation grant of $16,000 will fund the “Just Brew” operational costs. These include costs for materials and supplies, as well as training costs associated with over 20 employees learning their first assignment roles. Expectations are that by the third month, Just Brew will be in a position where sales revenue will cover the cost of ongoing operations and over 250 family and community members will benefit.
“Not Just Coffee Served Here”
Carole at Just Brew
Carole joined Just Brew as a job skills trainee tasked with taking customer orders, preparing food and beverages, and running the point of sale for these and other items offered for sale in the coffee house. This supports the work initiative of the Ken Anderson Alliance.
After just a few months, Carole’s skills for retail management and customer service expanded to the point that she was elevated to shift supervisor. On select days and as needed, Carole opens the coffee shop, supervises other trainees, and performs end of day activities to close the register and coffee house. Carole recently joined the KAA Board of Directors as a self-advocate for the mission of the Ken Anderson Alliance.