Some people look to make a difference in the world.
Beth Humbert is one of those people.
She found the inspiration to change the world through her youngest daughter Caroline being involved with a class at Hoover High School called “The Hot Spot”, a coffee shop inside the school that sells coffee, tea and hot chocolate to students, staff and visitors.
Each student in the class is someone with disabilities.
Including Caroline, who has autism.
Beth saw the impact that a business that empowers those with disabilities can have.
That’s how Whole Latte Love Cafe was born.
Humbert, a certified rehabilitation counselor, started to work on the vision of bringing her nonprofit organization to life in 2017.
The following year, Humbert worked with the Canton area’s SCORE Chapter to develop her business plan and she says that it has helped her tremendously in the process.
“In 2018, I worked with a Counselor on my Business Plan. In 2019, my focus was with another counselor creating my Proforma and List of Assumptions. I also took multiple grant writing and Marketing classes through their free webinars.” said Humbert, ”In my quest to organize the board of directors, SCORE has been a tremendous resource and I honestly don’t think I would be this close to the finish line without all of their support.”
In November of 2019, the non-profit signed a 5 year lease with T.K Harris on their current property, which has sat vacant for 20 years. 2 months later, Whole Latte Love Cafe raised enough money to get the green light on construction being underway.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March of 2020 and everything came to a screeching halt.
Humbert explains the difficult road that it took for them to get to this point.
“The pandemic changed everything. Everything literally stopped.” explained Humbert, “Fortunately, we were able to secure a lease amendment through December 2020, and we resumed our construction in February 2021. COVID continued to plaque our progress with missing building materials and workers, causing many delays. The community stepped up and helped us secure many building materials through multiple in-kind donations. In the end, we persevered and successfully passed all City inspections in September.”
Now, Whole Latte Love Cafe is set to open its doors soon with an opening date to be determined.
Humbert details how thrilled she is for her employees to get to work.
“As we grow closer to opening, I’m starting to have conversations with our future Trainees and I am so excited for them. They will finally have a place where they will be seen, heard and valued.”
The non-profit is currently hiring for trainee positions, direct support professionals and job coaches.
Humbert explains that anyone is welcome to bring their talents to Whole Latte Love Cafe.
“For direct support professionals and or job coaches, I’m looking for folks with a heart to help this population step out of the nest and spread their wings.” says Humbert, “The job descriptions are fairly detailed and I’m still currently looking for drivers and kitchen staff several days a week.”
“For someone looking to become a trainee, he or she needs to be connected to the County Board of Developmental Disabilities. A tour and informational interview can be arranged through their individual Service & Support Administrator or they can email me at [email protected] for further information.”
Beth Humbert’s idea took 5 years in the making, but she and the rest of the team at Whole Latte Love Cafe are looking to make the world a better place.
One cup at a time.
For more information about Whole Latte Love Cafe, you can visit their website at wholelattelovecafe.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @nclattelove