Coffee Closet with Barista Jake

10/01/2026

Today I was Sitting in my office working while Jake was out there running his WHOLE team.

Assigning tasks. Checking the dishes. Taking out trash. Getting pots ready for tomorrow. Making sure everyone did what they were supposed to do.

And the best part?

ZERO. HELP. FROM. MA. 🙌☕️

This. This is the whole damn point. ❤️

10/01/2026

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH!

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the contributions people with disabilities make to the American workforce and the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for them to work, learn, grow and contribute.

The recognition began in 1945, and in 1988, Congress expanded it into what we now know as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

But here at Jake’s Baristas and Coffee Closet with Barista Jake, disability employment is not something we celebrate for just 31 days.

We live it every single day. This month and EVERY month we celebrate our 20 rotating volunteer associates who show up with effort, determination and a genuine desire to contribute.

They learn customer service. They make drinks. They stock supplies. They practice handling money. They clean. They greet customers. They work events. They problem-solve. They build confidence. They make mistakes and learn from them. Most importantly, they are given the opportunity to show what they CAN do.

Disability inclusion in the workforce is not about charity. Its about opportunity. Expectations. Support. Patience. Purpose and belonging.

We do not just talk about inclusive employment. We fill the coffee cup and practice it every damn day.

Here’s to our associates and to every employer willing to look beyond a diagnosis, rethink what a “traditional” employee looks like, and recognize the talent that has been overlooked for far too long. Different abilities but real contributions equals meaningful work.

The Timothy School Prader Willi Alliance of Pennsylvania Upper Merion Area School District Norristown Area School District Wissahickon High School

09/30/2026

Next week is a big one in the life of Barista Jake and Ma and our little engine that could but sometimes hits a road block and then goes off the rails but eventually gets back on the track until the next detour comes.

Wednesday and Thursday we will be at the Disability Summit: Empathy Tech / Cities of Inclusion at the Pennsylvania Convention Center - Philadelphia, PA (Philly) and then on Saturday night on the eve of his 26th birthday Jake will be honored at the Infinity Ball by the Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia

Getting an autism diagnosis for your child in 2003 was a whole different world.

There weren’t Facebook groups filled with parents who “got it.” There weren’t autistic adults sharing their experiences. There weren’t a million resources at your fingertips or nearly the amount of conversation about neurodiversity that exists today.

There was a diagnosis, a stack of papers, a whole lot of “he may never…” and then basically…good luck.

I remember desperately wanting someone to tell me what Jake’s life COULD look like instead of everything they thought it wouldn’t.

Fast forward 23 years and Lord knows we still have miles to go, but families receiving that diagnosis today have something we desperately needed back then — COMMUNITY. Representation. Autistic voices. Other parents saying, “Yep, been there. Come sit with us.”

And maybe the part that gets me the most?

The little boy whose future I was terrified about in 2003 is now the grown man showing other families just how wrong some of those “nevers” can be.

Funny how life works.

09/29/2026

ONE WEEK FROM TONIGHT - Wable and Coffee Closet with Barista Jake present an event open to anyone 18+ that is Neurodivergent.

Being neurodivergent simply means your brain processes, learns, communicates, or experiences the world differently from what is considered “neurotypical.” It’s an umbrella term that can include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome and other neurological differences.

Different doesn’t automatically mean less capable it means different brains may need different ways to learn, work, communicate and thrive.

Wable is changing the way Neurodivergent Adults can connect with their peers, find love and identify inclusive spaces and companies that they could potentially find employment with.

REGISTER for this FREE Event and come join us!

09/29/2026

OK GOLFERS… WE NEED YOU! ⛳️

We had some very unexpected fall-off over the last two days, which means we suddenly have room for 8 MORE FOURSOMES + 2 SINGLE GOLFERS at our 6th Annual Jake’s Baristas Charity Golf Outing!

Silly me for thinking I was closing registration 3 weeks before the outing and not scrambling at the last minute....

And I’m just going to say it: We really need to fill these spots.

This outing is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and helps us keep Jake’s Baristas doing what we do creating opportunities, building community, supporting our associates and proving every single day that INCLUSION WORKS.

If you’ve been saying, “I should register…”
THIS IS YOUR SIGN. 😂⛳️

Grab three friends, coworkers, clients, family members or three people you only mildly tolerate but can survive 18 holes with and COME GOLF FOR A MISSION. ❤️

Not part of a foursome? We have 2 individual spots available too!

We’ve worked incredibly hard to make this an amazing day, and now we just need some golfers to help us fill those carts.

10 foursomes. 2 singles. Let’s fill ’em.

Come golf. Come laugh. Come support the Inclusion Revolution. ☕️♾️⛳️

09/28/2026

Come check out the most INCLUSIVE Open Mic in the area!
Our Host Dallas Malone will be leading us through the night as we invite you to come show off your talents, no matter your age or abilities!

There is no cover, and we look forward to seeing you there!

BYOB - ALL AGES/ABIITIES/SKILLS welcome and encouraged!

09/25/2026

FIVE DAYS. That’s it. That’s the post.

Okay, not really… because we still have room for a few more foursomes at the Barista Jake's 6th Annual Fore the Kids Charity Golf Outing

Registration closes in 5 DAYS, so if your foursome has been living in the land of “we’re gonna sign up,” it’s officially time to become people who actually signed up.

And before you look at the registration fee and say, “What do we get?” GO CHECK OUT THE EVENT PAGE. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, coffee, dirty sodas, golf, fun and a whole lot more are packed into your registration.

Basically, come hungry, come thirsty, bring your clubs and help support the Inclusion Revolution.

5 days left. Get that foursome registered!

09/25/2026

It will be here before you know it!

Have you registered for this very important event? Time is running out!

09/25/2026

Friday fun with our fave- Fridays with Dash returns.

09/25/2026

Hey everyone, I’ve had several people tell me that they tried to order a magnet to support us online at Gazzos’s and couldn’t find it. I spoke to them and it IS on their website.

Meta will not let me share the link  unless I subscribed to Meta one for 50 bucks a month….yeah, seriously. So here is what you’re looking for after you go to their menu.

 I’m also told that there’s plenty in stock in their shop.

So the next time you grab a sandwich from them please consider also purchasing a magnet in support of us.

Thanks!

09/23/2026

Coffee Closet with Barista Jake/Jakes Baristas is so excited to be partnering with Holly Fowler, Madelyn (Midge) Smith and their awesome platform created specifically for the Neurodivergent community Wable .

Please join us on 10/6/26 6pm-8pm at our location in Norristown, PA for a special Speed Friending/Dating event called “Unmasked”.

As a nonprofit founder in the neurodivergent and disability space this app is the next wave of helping those we aim to serve connect and find social connections, friendship, safe places to hangout, employment and maybe even love.

I’ve always shielded Jacob from having his own access to social media and I manage all his pages, but with Wable- I feel comfortable that he will be safe and understood.

Please share this post and please if you are someone you know/love is neurodivergent and could benefit from this event- JOIN US.

Barista Jake will be open and serving up all his beverages during the event and you can learn more about the platform while your loved one finds connection!

It’s a win/win for everyone. Let’s make Wable a name the entire community knows about.

Register using the QR Code below.

Coffee Closet with Barista Jake/Jakes Baristas
2117 West Main Street
Norristown, PA 19403

Wable

09/23/2026

Coffee Closet with Barista Jake/Jakes Baristas is so excited to be partnering with Holly Fowler, Madelyn (Midge) Smith and their awesome platform created specifically for the Neurodivergent community Wable .

Please join us on 10/6/26 6pm-8pm at our location in Norristown, PA for a special Speed Friending/Dating event called “Unmasked”.

As a nonprofit founder in the neurodivergent and disability space this app is the next wave of helping those we aim to serve connect and find social connections, friendship, safe places to hangout, employment and maybe even love.

I’ve always shielded Jacob from having his own access to social media and I manage all his pages, but with Wable- I feel comfortable that he will be safe and understood.

Please share this post and please if you are someone you know/love is neurodivergent and could benefit from this event- JOIN US.

Barista Jake will be open and serving up all his beverages during the event and you can learn more about the platform while your loved one finds connection!

It’s a win/win for everyone. Let’s make Wable a name the entire community knows about.

Register using the QR Code below.

Coffee Closet with Barista Jake/Jakes Baristas
2117 West Main Street
Norristown, PA 19403

Angela Bucci McFarland WABLE Vinyl Closet Records Barista Jake

The Timothy School The Vanguard School & Services Eagles Autism Foundation Neurodiversity Employment Net Jamiel Owens

09/22/2026

Coffee Closet with Barista Jake is so honored to be the beverage provider for the attendees of this meaningful and impactful event!

Join The Color of Autism Foundation, in partnership with SPARK for Autism and Center for Autism Research at CHOP , for an engaging in-person Parent Training Session designed for parents and caregivers of autistic individuals on Saturday, October 3rd from 10:00AM-3:30PM.

This interactive training will provide practical, neuro-affirming strategies to support communication, sensory regulation, emotional wellness, and family connection. Topics will include sensory regulation, masking, neuro-affirming strategies, community-building, and the Seven Keystones of Support.

This event is FREE but does require registration: https://redcap.link/arrvb8ct