Welcome to Javajoy
Imagine life without coffee. Not just the drink but the associations that come with it.
Let’s meet for a coffee…
The coffee break, coffee-to-go, coffee on the move… the sheer varieties of this humble bean!
Coffee punctuates our day – and The Brothers Trust is delighted to share with you a charity called Javajoy (@java.joy) that harnesses the mighty bean and brings a great service to many people. Java Joy was introduced to us by Kares4Kids (@kares4kids2005) – a charity that we support in Atlanta, USA.
Java Joy is a simple but brilliant idea - to literally spread joy - whereby your daily cup of coffee comes with an optional hug and is provided by people who get as much satisfaction from it as the lucky drinkers.
Because Joyrista barristas are disabled individuals who might struggle to find gainful employment elsewhere.
And ‘Gainful’ is an important word because through work we have so much to gain. Besides money which is crucial to put bread on the table; a more subtle outcome and upside of work is a sense of belonging. We work to feel part of something and so it feeds our self-esteem as well as our bellies – and the intrinsic importance of self-worth is incalculable.
And particularly so to people with mental disabilities who are less equipped to develop and enjoy soft skills like self-esteem - and for obvious reasons. They can’t do things that we take for granted. Their social outlets are less and there are fewer people they can empathise with.
The charity was founded out of a void that exists in the care of such vulnerable people. A hole that is created once a person becomes an adult (21 years old) and suddenly all of the support that we expect and associate with childhood falls away. Most of us are excited to reach such a milestone like adulthood but it must be very disconcerting for such people, not to mention an enormous burden for their families and carers.
So imagine then the value that this charity can provide to people like April and Nicky? Java Joy allows them to fulfil a role and a purpose. April and Nicky have clients who are delighted to see them and are grateful for coffee and the associated affection. These are special cups of coffee which make everyone feel good about themselves.
April
Nicky
The Brothers Trust have granted Javajoy $10k and April and Nikki are now linked as being supported by our Trust. One day, we will get out to the States and we look forward to meeting them both and rest assured we will enjoy a coffee with them. And we’re gonna need the hug option also.
Our hope is that Javajoy can go pursue their noble goal to go nationwide because there are so many people who could benefit enormously from this initiative - and no doubt, there are legions of coffee drinkers in offices who would be delighted to have a visit from Java Joy - enjoying their coffee even more having a relationship with their Joyristas and knowing what a positive effect they are having on people less fortunate than themselves.
Many thanks to Marci from Kares4kids for bringing this wonderful initiative to our attention. It really sits well with The Brothers Trust ethos.
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On the Java Joy website, you will see the many ways that you can offer your support. In addition, depending on where Java Joy already operate, if you’re a business in these areas and you are in need of some joy - then you know what to do.