Red, White & Brew coffee shop in North Smithfield, Rhode Island is not your regular, run-of-the-mill coffee shop. It is quite special because it spreads awareness on the importance of hiring people who have disabilities.
Michael Coyne has autism, but he is not letting that hinder his life. After he applied to several places and struggled to find somewhere who would give him a shot, the entrepreneur started his own business slinging coffees.
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Her son decided to take matters into his own hands. He enrolled in business classes through the state's Developmental Disabilities Council. He was then ready to open his coffee shop.
“We’ve been very busy," said Coyne. “It’s been fun.”
The business has been open less than two weeks and has already become a haven for other families who have children with disabilities.
"We've had parents come in with tears in their eyes with the hope that their young children will eventually be accepted into the community," Sheila added.
Down the line, Coyne said he wants to hire others with special needs to spread the message that people with disabilities are hard workers too.
On the other side of the gift shop is a craft store called Budding Violet. There you can purchase homemade products, many of which are created by artists with disabilities.
