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When her physically and intellectually disabled son William was aging out of his high school vocational training program, Joan Hallagan was concerned about his future — and that of his community.
“At 22 years old, these young adults are on their own,” she said.
According to a 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics figure, approximately 21% of disabled people are employed.
Compelled to help, she and her sister Cathy Maassen opened Will’s Place, a nonprofit cafe employing people with disabilities. William reports there for work several days a week to help in the kitchen and welcome customers.
Hallagan and Maassen are joined by others trying to address the issue of disability unemployment with the creation of unique workforce training programs. Beyond raising awareness and support for an often-overlooked population, these bakeries and cafes provide opportunities for problem-solving and relationship building.
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“William is a very social young man, so when school ended, I think he deeply missed the community and friendships he had made,” Hallagan said. “At the restaurant, the responsibility of being needed and doing a good job has made a difference in his self-confidence.”
To see and support the work these places are doing throughout Chicagoland, visit any of these venues for coffee, pastries and memorable service.
Dorothy’s Sweet Shoppe at Gateway to Learning
When Dorothy and Roger Hough were told that their two developmentally and intellectually disabled children couldn’t learn, they refused to accept that answer — so in 1974 they started Gateway to Learning, an organization serving disabled adults. Gateway provides learning opportunities by promoting active inclusion at home, at work and in the community. In 2013, the team expanded on their day services programming with Dorothy’s Sweet Shoppe, a retail bakery and cafe that offers participants the chance to gain valuable job and life skills while interacting with the community.
Find the team here at work in the front of house and kitchen, whipping up a daily array of cookies and chocolates (thanks in part to appliances from Sophie Evanoff of Lincoln Park’s Vanille Patisserie). Don’t miss favorites like kolaczkis and brownies (and for your four-legged friends, the Barley’s Biscuits — dog treats the team makes on-site with spent grain from Half Acre Brewery). Gateway will celebrate its 50th anniversary in April.
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. most Saturdays, and at the Lincoln Square Farmers Market on Tuesdays from June through October; 4925 N. Lincoln Ave.; more information at dorothyssweets.com and 773-784-3200.
Gerry’s Cafe
In her years as a special-education teacher, Natalie Griffin was excited for her students to enter the workplace after graduation — but when she saw that many of them could not find employment, she wanted to do something to help. In 2018, she partnered with former restaurateur Amy Philpott to start the nonprofit organization Brewing Opportunities, and together this August they opened Gerry’s Cafe, a restaurant honoring Amy’s aunt, Geralyn Wehmer, who had Down syndrome. The cafe employs more than 40 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in various positions, from bagel toaster to baking assistant, with the goal of preparing them to step into other roles — within the cafe or beyond.
Visit for a wide array of housemade breakfast and lunch items, including pastries, salads, sandwiches, and quinoa bowls, along with a full espresso barista line of hot and cold coffee drinks. Try signatures like the gluten-free blueberry muffins or Big Ed sandwich (with bacon, turkey and buttermilk ranch on toasted sourdough), and stop by this December for seasonal debuts (think holiday cake pops and peppermint mochas).
Eat. Watch. Do.
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays at 1802 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights; go to gerryscafe.org for more information.
Hearts & Flour Bakery and Cafe at Misericordia
Misericordia opened in 1921 to offer residential services and recreational programming for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and today it serves more than 600 children and adults across Chicagoland. In April 2022, helping to realize the dream of Sister Rosemary Connelly, former executive director, the team opened Hearts & Flour Bakery and Cafe, an American-style bakery providing residents the chance to work and interact with the community.
Each day sees several Misericordia residents on-site, helping with everything from serving customers to scooping cookies — just one of the specialties they offer alongside coffee, breakfast and lunch items. Visit midday for a medley of soups and salads, or come early for the best selection of from-scratch pastries (opt for the almond croissant). Those on-the-go can pre-order online or visit the bakery’s drive-thru — and ship to family and friends via their website.
6 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at 6130 N. Ravenswood Ave.; more information at misericordia.com and 773-564-8403.
Will’s Place
Opened this July, this nonprofit cafe employs 17 young adults with disabilities. The restaurant is open five days a week for breakfast and lunch, serving pastries, salads, sandwiches, and — their house specialty and William’s favorite — chocolate chip cookies. Visit on Thursday mornings, when a different guest celebrity barista spends time with the staff, helping to make coffee drinks (with past visitors including state senators and representatives, mayors, police chiefs and superintendents). Keep an eye on their calendar — other events include open mic nights, scavenger hunts and special holiday programming.
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7927 Lincoln Ave., Skokie; more information at willsplaceskokie.com and 224-251-7363.
Nicole Schnitzler is a freelance writer.