Phoenix Coffee House has an important mission to their community

The slogan “No One is Unemployable” hangs proudly over the doors of Phoenix Coffee House, which has been open since February. Located on 2244 95th St., the Naperville coffee shop is unique not just for its coffee, but for its incredible staff. The company is partnered with Awesome Life Academy (ALA), another local Naperville company, whose goal is to provide adults with developmental disabilities with vocational and educational training that is both engaging and self-sustaining. 

“It’s a really awesome job,” said Brian Deszcz, one of the coffee shop’s employees and a member of ALA. 

ALA founder, Brandon Quaintance, and Phoenix Coffee House owner, Jerrod Nichols, met a few years ago and found out that their interests and experiences aligned for what is now a great partnership. Each employee can choose a range of hours to work; some come in once a week for an hour, while others are fully employed and receive benefits. 

Nichols made it clear when partnering himself with Quaintance’s company that he had goals to help try and change employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. The two stressed that they wanted to make good coffee. They also refuse to pay any of their employees less than minimum wage. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 19.1 percent of adults with a disability are employed. Nichols recognizes that bringing that number up is difficult, but he believes he can put a dent in it with opportunities like Phoenix Coffee House. Nichols and Quaintance both believe their programs can help these individuals achieve the lives they want to have. 

“I don’t expect them all to retire from the coffee shop, but what do you guys wanna do, and how can me and Brandon help support you guys on that journey,” said Nichols. He also said that he wanted to help get his workers to their next step. 

Challenges and difficulties

Quaintance understands the challenges of starting a new company, especially in the middle of a global pandemic. Initially, ALA had online programs with training sessions, but parents began asking for him to provide in-person opportunities. They no longer wanted the traditional programs provided by other services: they wanted to stay with ALA. 

At first, ALA’s creation didn’t have money, proper resources and networking. However, Quaintance was able to start ALA in February of 2021 thanks to the support of volunteers, parents and the community. 

Quaintance and Nichols also acknowledge some of the challenges of working with adults with developmental disabilities. Quaintance said that many of the ALA members have someone who works with them. They can provide techniques or strategies to help serve their needs. He also stated that communication and fostering confidence, responsibilities and purpose can help to self-regulate behavioral issues. 

However, it’s not just those potential problems that come to the forefront. Quaintance added that they are unable to employ everyone they come across. This is due to waitlists for their programs as well as a lack of available spots. Phoenix Coffee House currently has 23 employees from ALA. What gives him hope on that matter is that the community is recognizing the need for new opportunities. As a response, they are being active in finding more places for these individuals to work or volunteer. 

Future goals

Quaintance and Nichols are hopeful that their organizations can start to grow and outreach. Nichols is considering franchising the coffee shop, providing more places to work. This would also create higher level jobs for ALA members. He also is considering adding locations out of state in Wisconsin, as well as within the Illinois suburbs.

Meanwhile, Quaintance also mentioned a new poutine restaurant coming soon in Naperville that will offer more job opportunities for ALA workers. The location is off of Chicago Ave., meaning it will be close to NCC’s campus. 

The ultimate goal of ALA and the companies they work with is simple. They want to provide not just a normal life for these individuals, but an “awesome one”. 

“We don’t want them to have an ordinary life. They deserve way more than that. We all deserve that, but they certainly do because they’ve been told their whole life that ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do this, you’ll never do this, you’ll never be able to do that’ but everyday we see them doing those things that somebody at one point told them that they couldn’t,” said Quaintance.