After 26 Depot Cafe

Who we are? This community wide effort became a reality when the Depot opened in June of 2013. Of course it took the board of directors six years of hard work before that to get the ball rolling. Today the After 26 Project, a tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation, employs 19 'Project Workers' that perform various job tasks around the restaurant. Typical job responsibilities include greeting customers, taking water to tables, washing dishes, busing & cleaning tables, cleaning menus, janitorial duties, and related tasks.The Depot is overseen by a volunteer board of directors, with daily operations handled by a general manager. Why do this? In Michigan, at the age of 26, adults with developmental disabilities and cognitive impairment can no longer attend public schools, they age out of the system. For these individuals this is a very difficult and confusing time, suddenly, there is a huge void in their life and they have nothing to do. It also adversely effects the family as they see their loved one struggle with what to do next. So in 2007 a group of like minded people set out to open a restaurant to help fill that void and provide jobs in the greater Cadillac community. The original board was made up of retired school teachers, municipal workers, and private business people. When given the chance, adults with disabilities can perform effectively in the workplace...