Café at Stamford courthouse offers employment and empowerment

For the first time in years, you can grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee at Stamford Superior Court. But the new concession stand is more than that. It’s a place that employs and empowers.

“The current unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 85%, and we’re trying to change that,” explained Amy Montimurro, president and CEO of Abilis, a nonprofit that helps over 800 people with special needs and their families in Fairfield County.

The Abilis Courthouse Café is staffed by young adults with developmental disabilities, along with job coaches and a manager.

“It’s a training platform for the people we support to learn job skills to assist them to find competitive employment outside of our Abilis businesses,” said Pamela Arturi, Abilis, director of businesses. “Our team members learn all types of job skills that people would need to know working in the cafe and restaurant industry.”