CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- There’s a cafe in Castle Rock making a name for itself, but not because of the items on the menu but because of the servers and staff who dish up the food.
Best Buddies Cafe is a charming little cafe inside the emporium in the heart of Castle Rock. It’s a place where adults with developmental disabilities have found a sense of purpose.
“I've been in the cafe for one year. It's doing good and I like to be the waitress,” Amy Brack said.
Samantha Waggett’s son George works at the cafe as a host.
“I can honestly not say enough good things about it. It is incredible,” she told Denver7.
Staff training starts at the main offices of Wellspring, a nonprofit that works to empower adults with special needs like Down Syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.
There’s also a bakery which bakes goods not just for the cafe, but for restaurants and businesses like Rockyard American Grill and Duke’s Steakhouse in Castle Pines.
Wellspring was founded by Mary Lou Fenton and her husband. They have a daughter with special needs and use donation, grants and tuition to keep the nonprofit operating. Mary Lou says they do it “to create this community for our folks.”
The space used for Best Buddies Cafe is even a donation. Becky and Greg Boman lease the space to Wellspring for just a $1 a year.
“Our heart is just for those who are voiceless," Becky said.
