Month: March 2023

As seen on Discover NEPA.

Changing Lives With Every Cup

Coffee Inclusive, located in the former Cooper’s Coop Building in Pittston, is not your ordinary coffee shop. While they brew fresh hot and cold coffees, lattes, expressos, mochas, and cappuccinos, the shop employs people with diverse abilities, including those intellectually or developmentally disabled, and Autism. Working side by side with experienced baristas, the entire staff creates a warm, welcoming environment. In addition to coffee, they feature locally sourced teas and baked goods, as well as fresh-made smoothies and protein bowls. Order to go, or enjoy your beverage and treats at one of the casual seating areas in and around the café.

As Seen in The Citizens’ Voice

PITTSTON — Dallas resident Meghan Donahue, who has Down syndrome, was excited to start her first job Monday working side by side with experienced baristas serving coffee, smoothies and baked goods.

Read the full article here.

As seen in The Times Leader.

(March 13, 2023) PITTSTON – Frank Bartoli has been dreaming about creating a coffee shop to employ people with diverse abilities and Autism for many years.

Dreams became a reality when Coffee Inclusive, under the umbrella of NEPA Inclusive, opened its doors on Monday morning.

Several dozen people, donors, and dignitaries gathered at 350 Kennedy Blvd, Suite 12, Pittston, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place outside the doors of the large building called the Waterfront.

Bartoli, president/CEO of NEPA Inclusive, created NEPA Inclusive to help create and support inclusive and sustainable lives for people with disabilities. He had been talking about creating a coffee shop for years waiting for the right time and place to create such a business, a first of its kind in Northeastern PA.

“It’s been five or six years since we thought about a coffee shop,” Bartoli said. “We’ve look at options over the last number of years and when this one final came along, we thought, it’s time.”

Bartoli did not have to look too far from when looking for a site; it was next door to NEPA Inclusive’s offices at Kennedy Blvd.

“That was a perfect set up,” Bartoli said, on the closing of a smoothie bar next to their offices. “It just all came together finally.”

Bartoli said he didn’t want to get ahead of himself to discuss future projects regarding Coffee Inclusive but hinted there may be future sites if available, but in the mean time, he’s glad the Pittston location is up and running and with the soft opening, has been a success.

“We do think there’s a possibility that we can make all of our six regional offices coffee storefronts,” Bartoli admitted. “Realistically, we think there is a potential for us to open in at least three or four of them, maybe even five.”

Cat Zaladonis, a Pittston Area senior and a barista, has had experience in making smoothies and other beverages, was enlisted to work at Coffee Inclusive.

“I previously worked at Blend Natural, which is where our office is located now, so I had knew how to make smoothie, juices, and everything so I came in to help people learn how to make the juices and everything,” Zaladonis said. “It’s really good and I teach them stuff and they teach me stuff and it’s nice.”

Forty-two-year-old Christina Wesley, of Dupont, started her very first job when Coffee Inclusive hired her.

“They trained me to make espressos, juices and coffee,” Wesley said. “I’ll be working three to four days a week. It’s very exciting. I loved today. I made some new friends today.”

Kevin Michael Richards, a Coffee Inclusive employee, will be traveling twice a week from Moscow for work.

“My mom found out the place was opening from her friends on Facebook,” Richards, 21, said. “I’ll be working two days a week as a dishwasher.”

Michelle Mikitish, Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce president, was on hand for the ribbon cutting. She’s excited to see a new business open in Greater Pittston, especially giving those with disabilities a voice and a chance to work.

“There are two things I’m excited about,” Mikitish said. “First off, I’m excited that NEPA is able to deliver what they talk about: how important it is for those diverse abilities to work within our community. Second, I love that NEPA Inclusive opened a coffee shop in Greater Pittston and to prove that it can be done. I’m hoping employers all over our area are paying attention and employ people with diverse abilities.”

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright noted, “The genius in Coffee Inclusive, it’s the first endeavor of this nature in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and I have no doubt it is going to be a model for things to come.”

Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo added, “Frank and his team have certainly rolled up their sleeves and demonstrated that hard work could get to this beginning. This is really awesome, please come and support this great endeavor and let’s create more opportunities like this so that those opportunities extend across the board here in the city of Pittston and in Northeast Pennsylvania.”

As seen on WVIA.

(March 13, 2023) PITTSTON, PA – Rounds of applause, milk steaming and coffee brewing marked Coffee Inclusive’s first day in business.

At Pittston’s newest coffee shop, employees, who are intellectually or developmentally disabled, work alongside trained baristas. NEPA Inclusive is the nonprofit organization behind the cafe. Their goal is to provide the employees with skills and knowledge that is transferable to other cafes in the region.

Coffee Inclusive’s official first day started with a grand opening celebration. CEO Frank Bartoli thanked the large crowd full of supporters, local legislators and employees gathered on the first floor of the shop’s home on Kennedy Boulevard.

“We celebrate that there’s a place where people with diverse abilities are valued as hardworking, contributing positive members of a team,” he said.

During the celebration around 10 employees, including Christina Wesley, introduced themselves to the large crowd.

“I’m going to make excellent coffee for you guys,” she said.

As a coffee drinker herself, Wesley is excited to be working at the shop.

On the second floor, employees blended fruits and almond milk for smoothies and protein bowls behind the coffee counter. Baristas from Zummos and Adezzo coffee shops, both located in Scranton, were on hand to help with coffee, lattes and other caffeinated beverages.

Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo joined in on the celebration along with state Sen. Marty Flynn and U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright.

“Please come here and support this great endeavor,” he said, “and let’s create more opportunities like this so that those opportunities extend across the board here in the city of Pittston and in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Coffee shop manager Tom Carlucci, NEPA Inclusive’s quality assurance manager, said he hoped he was looking at all repeat customers.

Bartoli founded NEPA Inclusive in 2013. His daughter, Ellie, has Down Syndrome and he realized the area needed more opportunities for people in the intellectually and developmentally disabled community. Now the organization provides training, advocacy and support services to help people live an inclusive life.

Bartoli hopes that someday, Coffee Inclusive will no longer need to exist.

“Because we won’t be able to find the employees that we’ll need because it’ll be working for you and not us,” he said. “That’ll be the day that we say we’ve done our job.”

For more details, visit Coffee Inclusive on Facebook.

As Seen on PAHomePage.com

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There is a brand new coffee shop in Luzerne County and they are brewing up something special.

The team at “Coffee Inclusive” hosted a grand opening at their new coffee shop in downtown Pittston.

“Coffee Inclusive” is operated by people with disabilities, as they work alongside experienced servers and baristas.

The coffee shop is part of the non-profit organization “Nepa Inclusive.”

The new shop not only serves coffee but, most importantly offers opportunities that most workplaces do not.

“I love it, making coffees and helping out,” said Christian Wesley a barista at Coffee Inclusive.

“It wasn’t enough, I don’t think employers out there who are educated on the capabilities of people with diverse abilities. So, we wanted one to showcase that and also bring in an inclusive environment to downtown Pittston,” explained Tom Carlucci, Manager at Coffee Inclusive.

It’s competitive pay meaning they make no less than minimum wage.

And of course, there are brews at “Coffee Inclusive” but there are also other treats.

The menu also features baked goods, smoothies, and specialty drinks.

Pa live! Host, Chris Bohinski served as the emcee for the grand opening celebration.

“Coffee Inclusive” is also taking donations for equipment that they still need.

Anyone interested in a job can stop by, meet the team and fill out an application.

For more information on how to donate or apply online along with a look at their menu, head over to Coffee Inclusive’s website or Facebook page.

As seen on WNEP.

(March 13, 2023) PITTSTON, Pa. — Workers at Coffee Inclusive filled more than coffee cups at the grand opening celebration in Pittston on Monday. They filled the parking lot with supporters happy to welcome this coffee shop that employs experienced workers and those with diverse abilities.

“I couldn’t believe when I came here today that there was so much support; officials from the town, officials from the city and county,” said Bob Bartoli of Pittston. The local officials joined managers and workers for a ribbon cutting to mark the official opening after weeks of training.

“I learned how to grind stuff. I learned how to make smoothies, put it in the cups and stuff,” explained Meghan Donahue, a coffee attendant at the shop.

“Coffee, espressos, making juices, frozen juices,” added Christina Wesley, another attendant.

“Everybody came on board as friends and coworkers, and I think we’ve definitely moved already past that quickly with all the hard work, and now they are definitely a family,” said manager Tom Carlucci.

“It’s like a family. I really like them. They’re really, really nice. Yeah, he’s a nice guy,” added Meghan.

For many of the coffee attendants, this will be their first job. Others with more experience tell Newswatch 16 this will be their most rewarding job.

“It’s great, like I just walked into this, and suddenly there’s a cause. There is a bunch of community. There was a bunch of conversation about ability, and it feels like you’re a part of something bigger, and I signed up on Indeed, and it’s been very fulfilling,” said Ally McGee, an experienced barista. “I think it’s going to be great. Today was like our first rush, our first experience with, you know, more than ten people here, and it’s going really well. You know, people are really skilled at certain things, and we’re starting to get a feel for each other and seeing how we can thrive.”

You can learn more about Coffee Inclusive by clicking here.