“When we were house hunting in Cadillac, the realtor said, oh hey I know you’ve got sons with disabilities. They just opened this restaurant and this is the mission and you know you gotta check it out.”
Kristin Kenny and her family live in Cadillac where her son Anthony, spent his time working as a dishwasher at for six years.
“I have made many friends while working here. It helped me feel accepted in the broader community,” says Anthony.
For those unfamiliar with , it’s a cafe and also a non-profit with a dedicated mission–
Offering employment opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities.
Offering employment opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities.
Anthony tells us, “The mission of After26 it’s to help people with developmental disabilities to work and feel accepted.”
And it’s called After26 because in the state of Michigan,
After turning 26, adults with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities can no longer attend public schools — aging out of the system.
After turning 26, adults with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities can no longer attend public schools — aging out of the system.
“Being able to have a place like After26, to go and continue not just their socialization, but be able to have a schedule or have something to look forward to.”
For many, it becomes tough to adjust to the change, and no longer having a set routine.
Kelly Hondorp, manager of After26 Depot, really stands behind their mission.
Kelly Hondorp, manager of After26 Depot, really stands behind their mission.
Kelly says, “The project workers really become part of your family. It’s very rewarding for those of us working alongside of them to realize their abilities instead of their disabilities.”
And Anthony McKean has accomplished the intention After26 aims to carry out…
Sharing a true success story.
Sharing a true success story.
“For anyone out there that’s looking for an environment that’s accepting and gives you an opportunity to propel yourself forward, this is a good place to be. It helped shape my future towards the workforce,” says Anthony.
“That’s the goal to get them out, get them noticed, hopefully give them that boost of confidence and even though this place is safe, they have the ability to go on and get other rewarding opportunities,” says Hondorp.
Stepping away as the dishwasher,
Now working on the janitorial crew at Fiamm, a car horn manufacturer.
Now working on the janitorial crew at Fiamm, a car horn manufacturer.
He says, “It’s very rewarding. I moved on and now I have a steady routine.”
To dive a little deeper into Anthony’s story…
“There was a time in Anthony’s history where we thought we lost him. He’s had well over 30 surgeries. Plastic and reconstructive.”
Anthony’s mom, Kristin, shares that he was born with birth defects as a result of Siderius Syndrome — a gene mutation.
She shares, “Some of these children are nonverbal. Half of them have no facial deformities at all. Some of them have a need for occupational and physical therapy, and we just don’t have enough information.”
And even when life has been a little rough around the edges,
Anthony’s resilience proves that he rises to every challenge that’s given to him.
Anthony’s resilience proves that he rises to every challenge that’s given to him.
“And give others that hope, that they too can accomplish success in their life. Disability or not, they’re very very capable,” says Hondorp.
Anthony reminds us, “Don’t look too far behind you, because there’s a lot of opportunities in front of you that you may miss. And don’t let those opportunities pass you by.”
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