GREENWICH — It was a day to have a good time at The Café at Greenwich Library as Gov. Ned Lamont got here by to applaud the profitable work by Abilis in managing the brand new enterprise.
The Greenwich-based nonprofit, which helps individuals of all ages with particular wants and their households, is working the café in partnership with Greenwich Library. It presently employs eight individuals with particular wants in part-time jobs in Greenwich and will likely be increasing its program to the Darien Library in November.
Lamont offered a proclamation at an occasion that marked October as Nationwide Incapacity Employment Consciousness Month. The governor, who stopped into the café for a sizzling raspberry tea on the cool autumn morning, was fast to reward the work of Abilis.
“What you’re doing right here in Greenwich is one thing we’re attempting to take across the state,” Lamont stated. “It’s doing the appropriate factor for individuals. … I need to inform employers that that is the appropriate factor to do. These are wonderful individuals. Day by day they step up and do the appropriate factor, and I believe employers ought to name Abilis and have a relationship with them.”
Lamont joked that he didn’t must learn the proclamation as a result of it was “loaded with whereases and therefores” however stated, “It does say how vital your work is and the way you do it with coronary heart and also you do it with caring.”
A number of staff have been readily available for the ceremony, together with Michelle Yoon, who spoke to a crowd that gathered outdoors within the library’s new courtyard. Yoon, who additionally has labored at Abilis’ Gardens and Items retailer in Glenville, stated she loves to satisfy and serve the café’s clients, particularly the regulars.
“I’m making mates right here,” stated Yoon, calling it one of the best job she has ever head. “They’re comfortable to see me do nicely.”
Café worker Danny Clarke stated he significantly enjoys making the espresso and promoting the meals.
“There’s very good individuals right here,” Clarke stated.
The café, which opened final December, is a part of a multimillion-dollar renovation and reimagining challenge at Greenwich Library.
Library Director Barbara Ormerod-Glynn celebrated the partnership and stated it was off to a “nice begin.”
“We’re actually happy with this partnership with Abilis,” Ormerod-Glynn stated. “I’ve to say there isn’t an individual I’ve labored with who hasn’t been spectacular in so many various methods. The professionalism is there in everybody. They’re caring they usually’re compassionate concurrently being superb businesspeople.”
Abilis President and CEO Amy Montimurro known as the partnership “unbelievable” as a result of it permits Abilis to “present coaching and significant jobs for individuals with all talents.”
“We acknowledge the employment wants and the contributions of every individual,” Montimurro stated. “We have a good time inclusion and proceed to work to insure that everyone has full entry to alternatives of employment and neighborhood involvement.”
Lamont was joined by a number of state officers, together with Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo, Developmental Companies Commissioner Jordan Scheff and Growing old and Incapacity Companies Commissioner Amy Porter in addition to First Selectman Fred Camillo, state Sen. Ryan Fazio, R-36, and state Rep. Kimberly Fiorello, R-149.
“What higher approach to have a good time inclusion,” Camillo stated. “However this isn’t the one place. There’s Espresso for Good over on North Maple Avenue and this previous summer time Abilis did the Island Seaside concession. We received rave critiques far and wide. This can be a nice story and other people find it irresistible right here.”
Fazio additionally praised the library’s new café.
“It’s so thrilling to have them right here, working such an exquisite café and offering some nice alternatives for a few of our best residents,” he stated of the setup with Abilis. “That is such an vital trigger.”
