Stop by a new refreshment bar at Pleasant View Communities, and you'll get much more than a cup of coffee. You'll be supporting the mission of Hope Served, a nonprofit organization formed to create mainstream jobs in the community for people with disabilities.

Hope Served opened the refreshment bar in January. It is the perfect vehicle to highlight the organization's specialty coffee roasting business, Hope Served Coffee. The organization also makes and sells greeting cards, and the new cafe is another step in Hope Served's path toward opening a restaurant in Manheim.

"In the summer of 2024, a coffee vendor running a kiosk on the campus of Pleasant View Communities in Manheim vacated the space," said Steve Schwartz, executive director of Hope Served. "Knowing our coffee business and our goals to open a restaurant, Pleasant View approached us about bringing our coffee to their campus. After some discussions and business planning, we jumped at the opportunity. It is such a perfect opportunity to showcase our coffee and gain experience in running a disability employment enterprise."

Hope Served Cafe offers Hope Served Coffee and specialty drinks, including lattes and cappuccinos; hot tea; and light breakfast offerings, such as pastries and yogurt parfaits.

"As we get our feet under us, we will expand the drink and food menus," Schwartz said. "We plan to add protein fruit smoothies, Lotus energy drinks and seasonal specialty drinks. And we plan to add breakfast sandwiches and expand our array of baked goods."

The cafe is located on the campus of Pleasant View, outside the Hearth and Harrow Restaurant, 2100 Town Square, Manheim.

"The cafe has lots of comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi, ideal for a coffee meeting or a place to hang out with your laptop or a good book," Schwartz noted. "The Pleasant View campus is very welcoming."

Hope Served Cafe opened with a temporary manager, Logan Miles, who is a disabled veteran.

"Logan has another work commitment he must depart us for this spring, so we are in the hiring process for our permanent manager," said Schwartz. "Sierra Martin is assisting as a part-time operations manager, as she has experience running cafes that employ people with disabilities. Sierra will be designing our training programs and food and drink production procedures with a wide variety of abilities in mind."

Working at the cafe is a paid position, but the organization is also looking for people to volunteer alongside the staff to help increase profitability and allow the organization to employ more individuals.

 "At Hope Served, we celebrate the gifts of people of all abilities," Schwartz remarked. "We believe the community is stronger through diversity when people are blessed by interacting with people of differing life experiences. Our goal will be to hire several part-time baristas to help in customer service and drink and food preparation."

In its first few weeks, the cafe has been well-received, and Schwartz is optimistic about its future.

"We dream of a world where people of all abilities find hope, meaning and genuine belonging with one another," he said. "Too often folks with disabilities are marginalized from the workplace and social activities. We want to come alongside individuals with disabilities to provide hope and support through mainstream employment and participation in the local community."

Hope Served Cafe is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. The organization hopes to expand to Saturday hours in the near future and is exploring opening earlier in the morning to cater to clients of the on-site fitness center located beneath the cafe.

To learn more about paid or volunteer opportunities at Hope Served Cafe, contact cafe@hopeserved.org or 717-347-9785.

"Our goal is to make the best coffee in Lancaster County, to demonstrate all that folks with disabilities have to offer," Schwartz said. "Come see for yourself and give us your feedback. Also, our cinnamon rolls are amazing."