Lake Como restaurant offers service with a smile – and even a hug
Run by the nonprofit Circle of Friends, the 22 special needs employees work at a cafe where each pour is overflowing with hope and compassion.
More Stories
Lake Como's newest restaurant helps empower adults with disabilities in a real-life working environment.
"It's fun to help my teammates here. I love helping him and showing them around," said SamiJo Dangler, an employee at Circle of Friends Cafe on Main Street in Lake Como.
Run by the nonprofit Circle of Friends, the 22 special needs employees work at a cafe where each pour is overflowing with hope and compassion.
"She'll bus the table, sometimes she'll take orders and restock the refrigerator and condiments," said Maribell Caragiulo, mother to Valerie, an employee at the cafe.
"It gives me hope for the future knowing she won't be put away in some back room or an institution," she says.
"You come to work every day with a smile on your face and it feels good to come to work. You can't say that about most jobs," said Cassandra Fostik, manager at Circle of Friends Cafe.
Circle of Friends is known for hosting dances and karaoke nights for the Monmouth County special needs community. Local businessman Reggie Hyde donated the space rent-free, and Beast Restaurant Equipment supplied tens of thousands of dollars' worth of kitchen essentials to make this a reality.
"We are all unique in our own ways and we all have our own disabilities. Some are different, some are the same," added Dangler.
With head chef Janine at the controls of the hot stove and deep fryer, every other aspect of the Circle of Friends Cafe is run by its amazing employees from food prep to the serving.
"We get to enjoy the dances, we get to work here. People may not have the ability to work but we get to work here in our own ways," said Dangler.
"I love working here. She loves being here," said Valerie and Maribell.
Circle of Friends Cafe is open Thursdays through Mondays from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. on Main Street in Lake Como.
