New endeavor ‘very rewarding,’ café chef says
DUNCAN — Think Ability kicked off its newest endeavor with the Garden Café last week, which will eventually have six people with disabilities working there.
“We’ve had glowing reports about the café so far,” said Robin Arter, executive director of Think Ability Inc. “We’ve been supported by customers at the hospital, the fire department, several businesses around the downtown area and many Duncan residents. Having the café was one of our dreams.”
So far, one person with a disability works at the café but that number will increase after the staff learns the system so they can pass that knowledge on to other employees, Arter said.
Garden Café is part of Think Ability’s overall vocational program that includes The Community Market, Adult Day Center, The Community Garden, and Power Print. Think Ability also provides janitorial services for 19 buildings including the State Capitol through the State Use Program for employing individuals with disabilities.
Think Ability Inc. is a multiservice nonprofit organization that also provides residential services and independent living support services for people with intellectual, cognitive and other related developmental disabilities. The administrative office is located in Duncan and the service delivery area includes communities throughout southern Oklahoma.
The café, located on the second floor of 805 W. Main St., has 17 tables which are almost full each day of the week. Garden Café chef Chris Cody, who has 15 years of kitchen experience, said the time spent prepping for the opening and now serving customers “has been awesome.”
“I love it,” Cody said. “It’s been very rewarding.”
Arter complimented Cody’s ability work the employees with disabilities and prepare good-tasting food for the customers.
“He’s done a great job,” she said. “He’s very understanding and accepting.”
As with any major new endeavor, Arter said the café project has been a labor of love, but very tiring.
“I go to bed achy,” she said, “but I get the warm and fuzzies when I think about the good we’re doing and the people who will benefit from this. That’s what puts me to sleep.”
The menu has a variety of food which includes soups, sandwiches, salad bar, loaded baked potatoes, treats and kids’ menu. The café is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Think Ability offers more
Included in the downtown building is The Garden Market on the first floor and a third-floor ballroom that is rented for weddings, meetings, family reunions and other large gatherings.
Other programs operated by Think Ability is a commercial print shop, Community Garden, a Farm-to-Table program, and a School-to-Work initiative. All total, Think Ability’s programs educate people with disabilities and employs more than 100 residents with disabilities. The Community Garden, which recently added a greenhouse, started three years ago.
Think Ability also operates a Litter Crew that covers Comanche and Stephens counties. The crews pick up litter along the roadways as part of a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. In addition, Think Ability places residents for outside employment at Wendy’s, Braum’s, McDonald’s and Duncan Regional Hospital, Arter said.
“We find a way to adapt their job to fit their abilities,” she said.
‘An Evening with Neal McCoy’ benefit concert
All the Think Ability programs take money and fundraising is a key component of the nonprofit’s plan. As a result, Think Ability will host a benefit concert Friday, April 28 at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. The concert, An Evening with Neal McCoy, begins at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.
The concert will feature Dani Carson as the opening act. Carson is an acoustic country artist from southwest Oklahoma who has performed since she was 14 years old, according to her biography.
All proceeds from the concert will benefit the expansion of Think Ability’s vocational program, so they can provide more job opportunities for the individuals with whom they work.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.thinkabilityfirst.com or https://www.stubwire.com.