KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — At Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy in Knoxville, the smell of freshly-brewed coffee is doing more than waking up teachers, it’s creating life-changing opportunities for students with disabilities. Thursday morning, 6 News caught up with the students and staff behind an inspiring effort and the impact it’s making in the community.
Through the Knox County Schools Project SEARCH program, young adults with disabilities are gaining hands on experience inside the school by running a coffee shop. Not only are they learning important job skills but also spreading some positivity along the way. Student Intern Yenny Juarez is serving up smiles and caramel lattes at the “Greene Bean.”
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“I always have a positive attitude whenever I’m bringing a drink or whenever they come pick up the drink,” Juarez said. “I always have a positive smile and a positive attitude. Whenever I don’t have coffee orders, I mostly help out in the cafeteria with Katie.”
The student-run shop keeps teachers caffeinated throughout the day, but it’s more than coffee, it’s confidence. The goal is to help students with intellectual and developmental disabilities get education and experience they need for successful employment in the future.
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“We had five interns last year. All five were hired in fully, inclusive and integrated and competitive employment sites out in the community. Three of our student interns were hired by Knox County Schools. So, two were hired into custodial positions. One was hired into a cafeteria position. We had two community hires. It’s pretty great to see that the program does have an impact on these students and their families,” said Miller Fouch, a Project SEARCH instructor at the school…