Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabelle Rudd.
Hi Isabelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In the Spring of 2017, two long-time Alpharetta residents came together to solve an issue that they saw in their community. They saw a large group of eager and employable adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities (IDD) that did not have job opportunities available to them. They partnered with the City of Alpharetta to build a coffee shop in the Alpharetta Community Center. This gives adults with disabilities a place to gain meaningful employment and it gives the community the opportunity to interact with adults with disabilities (IDD). Brewable’s grand opening was in September 2019, after finding a staff that was ready to learn job skills in a coffee shop setting. In the last three years, we have grown to a staff of 4 managers and 17 Brewistas (IDD individuals) ranging in age from 18-62. The coffee shop has grown a loyal base of customers that come for our delicious drinks and treats. We take everything on the road to do “pop-ups” to interact with our community even more. We build holiday boxes that involve the Brewistas in every step of the process. These projects and the cafe have allowed us to build meaningful employment for a population that is 80% unemployed. You can continue to support us at www.brewable.org.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the largest challenges that we have faced, like most people recently, has been COVID-19. We closed for 11 weeks, which was hard on business financially of course, but this long period of closure also heavily affected the Brewista’s social and job skills. We kept in contact with one another by hosting Brewista Zoom calls so that everyone could say hello and stay connected. Being isolated in their homes and with limited social interaction affected their verbal skills and abilities to follow directions. We were forced to limit our hours of operation. We did pivot and built out BrewKindness boxes, which were holiday boxes for purchase. The Brewistas built the boxes, stuffed them with paper shred, stamped, filled and weighed coffee bags, hand-wrote cards and sealed the boxes for shipping. This brought in money that we needed to keep our doors open and provided job skill training that we were not getting due to slowed foot traffic. Another challenge that we face as a nonprofit that serves adults with disabilities is showing the neurotypical community that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the same needs and desires in life that we do: to feel respected and have a purpose. We are able to show people that interacting with adults with IDD does not have to be intimidating or scary. We can embrace them and address them, just as we do any other individual. Luckily, we are able to provide these opportunities for the community to interact with adults with IDD on a daily basis.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Brewable is the most fulfilling job experience that I have ever had. Adults with IDD are my people and I feel that I will work with this population of individuals forever. I enjoy helping the Brewistas find confidence and purpose in a world that is not built for their success. But as much as I help them, they have helped me find my purpose of working with adults with IDD, too. My little brother, Griffin, has Autism and has struggled in school and the workforce. Growing up living with a brother 2.5 years younger with a disability prepared me for a career in this field. I hope to provide as many jobs for adults with IDD as possible and continue to build their confidence and skill sets while showing the community that all people learn differently, whether they have a disability or not, so adapting to this population is not as challenging as we make it to be in our minds. Use compassion and respect and we can continue to build a more disability-friendly community and hopefully, world.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I find that happiness is a fleeting feeling, but I am lucky enough to experience it often because I have a job that provides me meaning and fulfillment. Helping people is something that is extremely important to me and brings me tons of joy and happiness. I am grateful that I get to be present for so many adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities as they grow and gain confidence and self-esteem. It gives my life meaning and value. When I get to help others grow, I am happy. A huge contribution to my happiness is my employees making jokes and laughing. They keep me happy and on my toes all the time!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Brewable.org
- Instagram: Brewable Alpharetta
- Facebook: Brewable
- Youtube: Brewable
Image Credits
Brewable
