This month they hosted a Valentine’s craft social, and in March they have a paint event scheduled. Perfect Blend hopes to do an exercise/yoga event in the future and a Bible study for special needs is in the works.
“We are trying to really focus on being more than a cup of coffee this year and provide social events and outings for the special needs community and their families,” said owner Kalli Clement.
Research shows that people with disabilities have great loneliness and social isolation compared to those without disabilities. Through these events, the hope is to combat isolation in the special needs community while also offering volunteer opportunities for those interested.
“These events are not just for the special needs community but for anyone so we can separate the barrier that special needs adults are not capable,” she said.
The social events are open to the public. Please RSVP to the events via email or phone to ensure the shop has enough supplies.
Kalli and Chris Clement opened Perfect Blend Coffee Company in July 2021 to create an atmosphere where people of all abilities can work and learn new skills.
One year later they launched their mobile coffee trailer, which is available to rent for events. Book them for your next party, wedding or work event to refresh your guests with some delicious caffeine.
Perfect Blends employs teenagers and adults with disabilities and hopes to inspire other businesses to do the same. During Perfect Blend’s monthly staff meetings, employees go over communication skills, resume writing and how to handle communication breakdowns.
When applying to work at Perfect Blend, prospective employees don’t fill out your typical application. The questions are a little different.
It looks at their strengths and weaknesses and their fine motor skills, their gross motor skills.
“Are they able to use the iPad, are they able to count money, things that you wouldn’t typically look at, but because we’re hiring people that may have never been in a work atmosphere, you kind of have to take a look at these things so we’re sure to put them in the right spot without overwhelming them,” Kalli said.
Using the iPad to take orders can be intimidating at first, but Kalli has added pictures so her employees have a visual key to find the drink.
She has watched her employees of all abilities learn and develop new skills.
Kalli said that some of her workers who thought they would just be cleaning have learned how to take orders and make drinks and have learned independence and responsibility. Other employees have learned how to teach and train others and learned patience and modifications.
“Being a therapist, this is what I’m used to – people coming in that don’t have much experience and making those modifications,” Kalli said. “I’ve seen it impact people, not just giving these people that might not have been able to get a job elsewhere. I think it’s helped my other baristas be more accepting, and how they can make accommodations instead of just getting frustrated and doing it themselves, finding different ways to teach so the others are able to learn.”
Come enjoy the perfect cup of coffee served by people with different abilities. Support their mission of inclusion, all while quenching your thirst with a delicious cup of Joe.
Perfect Blend Coffee Company
850-710-7210
www.perfectblendcoffeecompany.com
7552 Navarre Parkway Suite 33
in Harvest Village
Open Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Coffee trailer available for events
