Omaha restaurant helps people with disabilities enter the workforce
By Jaylon Banks
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OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — The Brunch Box in downtown Omaha is helping individuals with disabilities gain work experience and stable employment through partnerships with local organizations.
Stephanie Goodrich, the restaurant’s owner, transitioned from teaching special education in Omaha Public Schools for nearly a decade to opening her own restaurant.
“I left teaching. I was determined to create maybe like a consulting company that would help those businesses, which I did, but I still continue to see that gap. So I decided, well, I’ll open up a restaurant myself and start here,” Goodrich said.
For the past three years, The Brunch Box has partnered with local organizations to provide a stable workplace environment for individuals with disabilities.
“When we first started, about 40% of our staff had a disability of some kind. Whether it was ADHD or Down’s syndrome, it might be visible or invisible. And then as it’s progressed on, we’ve done a lot of work experience opportunities for individuals with disabilities,” Goodrich said.
Goodrich emphasized the importance of focusing on strengths rather than limitations.
“Here is their limitations. What we really do is find everybody’s strengths and then what supports they need, disability or not, and create a team environment that supports everyone,” she said.
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