• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Empowered Coffee Designs Meaningful Opportunities for Employees

June 4, 2018 by Vi Chetan Leave a Comment

Empowered Coffee Austin

A friendly smile, as sported by William here, is served with each cup from Empowered Coffee (Credit: Josh Baker)

Editor’s Note: Empowered Coffee shuttered in January 2019 due to a rent hike. 

What comes to mind when you think of coffee shops in Austin? Maybe an industrial interior, memorable coffee, latte art, or the barista–that bearded, tattooed, man-bun sporting espresso master. At Empowered Coffee, you will find all of these, except the barista you first envisioned.

This unpretentious coffee shop has one goal: serve a great cup of coffee. No long lines, complicated drinks, or pseudo-intellectual conversations. Empowered Coffee employs adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs). The mission is to empower IDD adults by providing meaningful employment and growth opportunities.

Coffee From Wine

Owners of Empowered Coffee in Austin

Dr. Kim and Jonathan “Mr. Dr.” Davis, founders and owners of Empowered Coffee (Credit: Josh Baker)

Dr. Kim Davis and her husband Jonathan founded Empowered Coffee. Dr. Davis had the opportunity to help Kayleigh, a young woman with Down Syndrome, finish the Austin Half Marathon in 2017. Kayleigh’s commitment impressed Davis tremendously. Over a bottle of wine, she and Jonathan dreamt up a coffee shop, run by adults who have IDDs. Empowered Coffee opened shop two months later!

The impersonal experiences at chain coffee shops brought about the couple’s tag line, “The Friendliest Way to Start Your Day!” Empowered Coffee is fulfilling this mantra.

Empowered Coffee Dream Team

Jobs for Intellectual and Development Disabilities in Austin

Dr. Kim and Jonathan Davis with Empowered Coffee’s team (Credit: Josh Baker)

Jonathan Davis attributes a lot of Empowered Coffee’s success to his team leader and general manager, Whitley Priddy. Priddy ensures the coffee shop functions like any other, with the normal ups and downs that arise.

Priddy loves working with IDDs and takes pride in teaching skills to a group of adults. According to her, people with intellectual disabilities don’t have enough resources to gain the life skills they need. So her role at Empowered Coffee is a fantastic opportunity for her to be one such resource. She enables her crew to learn communication skills, manage inventory, and even help with accounting.

Allison Abramo, Program Manager of Supported Employment Program at The Arc of the Capital Area, contributed her expertise to designing training programs for Empowered Coffee employees. Her focus is on creating a work environment that leads to success for both employees and employers.

Work Perks

Empowered Coffee Jobs for IDDs in Austin

Whitley Priddy and William set up the coffee station (Credit: Josh Baker)

The employees of Empowered Coffee love working there, so much so that they make the daily to and from Pflugerville. The Davises aid this effort by paying for half of the ride share bill through Lyft.

Because Empowered Coffee is all about empowerment, employees are paid well over the average hourly rate. The coffee shop doesn’t accept tips in the traditional sense. Instead, all tips are donated to Austin-based organizations that support increased physical activity for individuals with special needs.

IDD Employees at Empowered Coffee

The friendly faces of Empowered Coffee (L-R): Alden, Morgan, Casey, Tyler, William, Spencer, and Haley (Credit: Josh Baker)

The Davises and Priddy work hard to make sure employees get the most out of their jobs. The trio spends hours teaching employees important life and job skills, like accounting, operating a POS system, customer service, inventory, and more. Every person’s learning curve is respected.

In addition to being an inclusive workforce for adults with IDDs, the coffee shop tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible. All the coffee is provided by Third Coast Roasters through sustainable sources, is fair trade, and often single origin.

Butter Bombs, a popular supplement produced by local company Lady Bird Provisions, are stored in biodegradable sugarcane containers. Taco Deli provides delicious tacos for purchase. Adry’s Bakeshop, another inclusive workplace in Austin, makes the pastries at a home-based, artisanal bakery.

Small Shop, Big Impact

Delicious Pastries and Coffee in Austin

William and Alden helping a customer (Credit: Josh Baker)

Despite being only a few months old, Empowered Coffee has already done amazing things for the intellectually disabled community. Employing adults with intellectual disabilities, while leaving special treatment at the door, is fairly exceptional. The team works hard to work with employees in a collaborative fashion.

The owners and manager are always open to help others, especially those who want to start similar ventures. They offer their knowledge to anyone who’s interested, spanning everything from writing job descriptions to training plans.

While the coffee shop has received an outpouring of support from the community through social media, buying a cup of coffee is the best support you can provide. Empowered Coffee is a for-profit business, with the intention of donating profits to organizations that advocate for people with intellectual disabilities.

So get involved with this awesome little coffee shop, and head over for a coffee and taco. The visit will truly start your day in the friendliest way!

410 Pressler St. – Website

@theAustinot wants to know:

Have you been to Empowered Coffee, or do you know of other local businesses like it?

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: coffee, coffee shops

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week | martin luther king day austin - MLK Jr Service Week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 16, 2023 include MLK Day Food Drive, UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year, and more!

Things to do in Austin this weekend with kids | KIds Night Out at Anderson Mill

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023 include Kids Night Out, Comedy Match Live, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Kids Night Out – Movie Star Party, Comedy Match Live ComedySportz Austin, Second Saturdays are […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend | Crafting Workshop: Intro to Alcohol Inks

10 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of January 13, 2023 include Crafting Workshop: Intro to Alcohol Inks, Warehouse District 10k, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of January 13 which include Crafting Workshop: Intro to Alcohol Inks, Warehouse District 10k, Off Script!, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may be right for you. Deal Alert […]

Austin’s New Year: Fireworks from Afar

Austin New Years Eve 2023 fireworks guide – NYE party start time, entertainment line up, parking tips & more!

Are you ready to say goodbye to 2022? What better way to ring in the New Year than with fireworks at Austin’s biggest and official New Year party! This beloved, annual Austin event draws thousands of people including locals as well as visitors from neighboring towns in the Central Texas area. If you are googling […]

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 - What to expect at this lighting event in Texas

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 – A beloved Texas lighting event!

Come one, come all to celebrate the Johnson City Lights Spectacular 33rd Season! Johnson City is an area close to Fredericksburg, TX. Every Christmas holiday for the last 33 years, Johnson City transforms from a slow-paced, presidential hometown nestled on the banks of the Pedernales River, into a bright beacon of light — like a […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 16, 2023 include MLK Day Food Drive, UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year, and more!
  • Romantic Restaurants Austin – Top 10 best date night restaurants near you
  • Healthy Food Austin – Your comprehensive guide to health friendly restaurants, cafes, and more!
  • MLK Austin Texas – Your Guide to Martin Luther King Weekend 2023 Activities, Events, and Celebrations!
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023 include Kids Night Out, Comedy Match Live, and more!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • Guide to Austin’s Dirty Sixth Street
  • Customize Your Own Beauty Products With These 6 Austin Companies
  • Austin’s Wild Monk Parakeets Search for New Home
  • 8 of Austin’s Most Dog-Friendly Patios
  • Cafe con Letras Invites Latino Artists to Take the Stage in Austin

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

wpDiscuz