Books and bites: How this Cumberland County library will create jobs for the disabled
Disabled Cumberland County residents could find a new job opportunity at their local library this fall.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved $25,000 in funding in June for the Café West program, which will create a cafe staffed with “young people and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” according to the county website. Deputy library director Heather Hall said Wednesday that the program is a partnership between the West Regional Library and ServiceSource, a nonprofit that helps disabled people find jobs and learn important life skills.
The West Regional Library, located at 7469 Century Circle off Stoney Point Road, has a cafe space built inside the library lobby, Hall said.
“This program provided the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the space to better serve the community,” she said via email. “The dedicated customer base of the library will enjoy a space to buy and enjoy beverages and food options prepared by teens and young adults who typically face barriers to employment.”
Why now?
Hall said the library’s new strategic plan, finalized last year, was the impetus for the program.
“The library’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan supports this initiative,” she said. “Goal 3 is ‘Encourage diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging.’ This project will help maintain libraries as a vital community hub that welcomes, accepts and includes all residents and visitors through our programs and services offered to our citizenry.”
Hall said the library was also searching for ways to encourage workforce development and job opportunities in the community.
“The library has a history of supporting those with disabilities through volunteer and work opportunities,” she said. “It’s so very important for the community to provide workplace experiences to individuals with disabilities who may face barriers to employment, and this partnership with ServiceSource helps support their mission to build a more inclusive community.”
How and when will it happen?
The initial $25,000 will support the purchase of equipment, furniture and signs for the cafe, Hall said.
According to Hall, staffing will be handled by ServiceSource. The nonprofit’s website states it serves more than 29,000 people with disabilities each year, with offices in Delaware, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and Utah. The Fayetteville location at 600 Ames St. hosts a community inclusion program that offers support to those 18 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to ServiceSource’s website.
ServiceSource also connects disabled Cumberland County residents ages 18 to 64 with jobs, according to its website.
Hall said the library hopes to start the program by early to mid-fall and will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony when the cafe is open.
“We are very excited about this opportunity and encourage the community to stay tuned for information and updates!” she wrote.
Government watchdog reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County library creating jobs for the disabled with new cafe
