The coffee is made by a young man with Down syndrome
In the city of Shepetivka, located in the Khmelnytskyi region, there is a unique inclusive facility that successfully helps people with mental disabilities integrate into society.
Business owner Lyudmyla Naumenko spoke about this in detail.
Vadym, a young man with Down syndrome, works as a professional barista at the café.
In addition, the establishment regularly hosts special culinary workshops aimed at the comprehensive social adaptation of young people with similar diagnoses.
The entrepreneur launched this important social project with grant funding in July 2022. The decision to start her own business came just as her son Vadym was about to turn 18.
She wanted to create a space where her child and others with similar needs could realize their potential and interact with the community.
“I have a son diagnosed with Down syndrome, and as he approached his 18th birthday, I began to wonder: what comes next? How can we avoid the complete isolation that people with intellectual disabilities face after turning 18?” Lyudmila explained.
The owner of the facility not only successfully employed her son but also decided to systematically help other people with Down syndrome navigate the difficult path of social adaptation.
The young man quickly mastered professional skills and became a full-fledged member of the work team. His colleagues note that he handles his daily duties wonderfully and genuinely loves his work.
According to Nadia Ivanyuk, an employee at the establishment, Vadym really enjoys making high-quality coffee for regular customers and also performs many other important tasks to ensure the café runs smoothly.
His sociability and openness help create a special, friendly atmosphere in the café.
“Vadym loves making black Americanos for regular customers. He also clears tables and brings water. If we need to buy something—vegetables or sour cream for a sauce—he can go to the store on his own, bring back the receipts, and explain what he bought and where. We have regular young visitors. Vadym plays with them and enjoys spending time with them,” said Nadiya Ivanyuk.
To provide a real opportunity for other people with Down syndrome to adapt, Lyudmila organizes free group cooking workshops for them every Monday to prepare various dishes.
These meetings have become a long-awaited event for the participants, for which they carefully prepare and discuss the upcoming menu.
“They eagerly await Monday after Monday, planning exactly what they will cook. I saw a zest for life and communication in their eyes. They are very happy during these few hours they spend at our café, and it is extremely important for them to communicate, to feel needed and recognized. This is the meaning of their lives,” noted the café owner.
Lyudmila Naumenko emphasizes that through her café’s activities, she is striving to actively promote the principles of inclusion within the local community and significantly raise public awareness about such mental health conditions.
The establishment breaks down stereotypes and shows visitors that people with disabilities are capable of performing at a high level.
“For the children, it’s about recognition and acceptance, and for our visitors, it’s a new experience. They come in, see how things are prepared: chopping salads, baking pizza, working the coffee machine alongside baristas, making coffee, and serving guests. It’s a completely different perspective. We’ve had many instances where people asked, ‘Can they really do that?’ And this is very important not only for our children, but first and foremost for society,” said Naumenko.
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