For Youths with Disabilities, a Cup of Coffee Needs Two Spoonsfuls of Dreams and Three of Hope (Published November 1, 2012)
 

○ A barista opening the doors of the I’m Café, which employs and empowers youths with disabilities in Ansan City
○ The coffee shop is the fruit of collaboration between Gyeonggi Province and the Korea Racing Authority; it aimes to create opportunities for youths with disabilities to embrace their own dreams (Job Go).
○ Nine youths have completed the education necessary to obtain employment as baristas so far.
○ There are plans to open fifteen branches and hire at least a hundred youths with disabilities by 2014.
 
A truly inspirational coffee shop, I’m Café, opened its doors in Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province.
 
On November 1, Gyeonggi Province (Governor Kim Moon-soo) and the Korea Racing Authority opened the first branch of the coffee shop ‘I’m Café’ on the 1^st floor of Ansan Lifelong Learning Center. The coffee shop employs youths with disabilities as its baristas.
 
Last March the province and the Korea Racing Authority concluded an agreement to collaborate on a socially conscious project to create business under a program called “Job Go – Embracing the dreams of youths with disabilities.”
 
Depending on the nature of their disability, the youths undergo specialized business training, and eventually receive jobs. Gyeonggi Province selects the participants and the location, and deals with other administrative support issues, while the Korea Racing Authority provides financial and educational support to the disabled youths.
 
Since March, nine youths, expending much greater effort than people without disabilities, have completed their barista education at the first I’m Café in a bid to secure employment, realizing their hopes and dreams by selling coffee.
 
The first branch of ‘I’m Café’ has been granted a lease for a portion of the first floor of Ansan’s Hall for Continuing Education at no charge to help out these youths. The Korea Racing Authority is paying for the costs of refurbishment, and thanks to similar support from many other sources, a genuine sense of impact and achievement has emerged.
 
At the opening ceremony, Governor Kim said, “The opening of the first branch of ‘I’m Café’ is not only a way to support jobs for youths with disabilities, but also a way of instilling them with confidence and new hope, which is particularly significant.”
 
Furthermore, Governor Kim encouraged all those present, saying, “They have become real baristas, overcoming their reservations and fears, which are surely many times greater than those of non-disabled people, through their passion and efforts.” He added, “The coffee made here, which will help these young people to achieve their hopes and dreams, will certainly surpass any other brand of coffee.”
 
The province and the Racing Authority plan to open fourteen branches of the store by 2014, and to provide at least one hundred youths with opportunities for lifelong employment. Additionally, the policy of both the province and the association is to support the coffee shop so as to give the youths a much deserved feeling of societal acceptance.
 
Based on the results of ability tests and other criteria, fifty-five youths with disabilities have already been selected and are currently receiving barista training at five regional educational centers in Goyang, Uijeongbu, Guri, Ansan and Siheung.
 
Inquiries: Social Welfare Officer, Welfare Team for People with Disabilities/ 031-8030-3181
 
http://gnews.gg.go.kr/briefing/brief_gongbo_view.asp?BS_CODE=S017&number=16981