Not Your Average Joe and Stella Nova send this information as posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Not Your Average Joe (NYAJ), the award-winning nonprofit that employs over 150 students and adults with disabilities in an inclusive coffee shop environment, is thrilled to announce the donation of four new locations from Stella Nova, a beloved Oklahoma-based coffee shop chain. This generous gift, made by the Ownership Group of Stella Nova, which includes John Kennedy, Kelli Lay, and others, will further strengthen NYAJ’s mission to foster employment opportunities for those with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities, craft exceptional coffee, and serve the community.
Over the past five years, NYAJ has been recognized for our mission of inclusivity as OKC’s Employer of Year, ARC community advocacy champion, Oklahoma Human Rights Award and others. In the specialty world of coffee, NYAJ is the only coffee shop in the state to send a barista to the US Coffee Championship (USCC). The NYAJ team placed 13th this year at the USCC Cup Tasters, and is home to the only female Native American SCA certified coffee roaster in the world.
The four new locations are situated in prime areas across Oklahoma: Main Street Norman, Downtown Oklahoma City, Crown Heights, and Edmond. These strategic additions coupled with NYAJ’s existing five locations in Midtown, Downtown, Norman, Choctaw, and Broken Arrow, as well as NYAJ’s new concept, ABE’s, in West Village, a coffee roastery, and a catering kitchen bring the total number of NYAJ facilities to 12.
The donation will not only increase the brand’s footprint but also provide a major boost to local employment for those with special needs. In the next year alone, NYAJ plans to create 100 new jobs specifically for individuals with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities, aligning with our longstanding commitment to offering inclusive employment opportunities to this underserved community. Typically, 77.5% of adults with special needs are unemployed or underemployed after high school.
“The generosity of this gift from Stella Nova will enable us to blend the best of both worlds. The elevated community experience and intentional efficiency of Stella Nova with Not Your Average Joe’s exceptional coffee – roasted by our talented staff, including the world’s first female Native American SCA certified Andi Parnacher, as well as Xavier Matos, one of Puerto Rico’s best coffee professionals. This gift will help us continue dispensing caffeine and hope across Oklahoma and the world,” Tim Herbel, founder and executive director of NYAJ, said.
NYAJ’s new locations will offer the same exceptional coffee, warm atmosphere, and inclusive work environment that customers have come to expect, as well as Stella Nova’s expeditious service and elevated ambiance. Stella Nova’s customers can expect to see the same friendly faces as well as the opportunity to enjoy more food options, including some of OKC’s best sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and ice cream. The acquisition also allows NYAJ to create more job opportunities for those with disabilities, a cause that has always been at the heart of our operations.
“Stella Nova was founded by a group of friends who wanted to create an intimate gathering place serving quality coffee, tea and food offerings. Stella Nova has developed a loyal local following. NYAJ is committed to helping those with disabilities while serving quality products. It is the perfect next step for Stella Nova to help NYAJ with this essential community service,” Kelli Lay, partner and CEO of Stella Nova, said.
Another generous donor has given Not Your Average Joe a $200,000 matching grant challenge in order to facilitate the transition in adding the 100 new jobs for those with special needs. If you’d like to participate, please visit onecau.se/_85vbf1.
For more information on NYAJ and its mission to provide inclusive employment opportunities, please visit nyaj.coffee or follow us on social media.
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