July Newsletter

Jason Clinard Roth Wins Esteamed Scholarship!

Esteamed Coffee is thrilled to announce Jason Clinard Roth as the recipient of our first ever Full Steam Ahead Scholarship! The Full Steam Ahead Scholarship premiered this year. It is a $1000 award for adults with disabilities to pay for job training, educational classes, business development, or business expansion.

Jason, who will be attending UNC School of the Arts this fall, applied with a dream we found both compelling and impactful. In his own words, "My goal is to increase the amount of autistic voices that are being heard throughout the film industry. I have studied many artists within film, such as directors, actors, cinematographers, and screenwriters. Despite that, I have never learned about any that are openly autistic.

"I also feel as if I have never related to an autistic character within cinema, due to me not seeing many characters in film that are written by people on the Autism Spectrum. I intend to create films emphasizing my own experiences with autism, and allowing other autistic film makers the chance to express their disabilities on set as well."

We are so proud to be able to support Jason in elevating the representation of autism in film. As he said, "Communication is hard and I found film to be my vessel . . . I want to act as a voice for those who are voiceless." We can't wait to see Jason move Full Steam Ahead toward his goals - congratulations, Jason!

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Two Ways to Support Esteamed

This month, we are so excited to roll out two new ways to support Esteamed Coffee. Will you vote for us in this summer's Target Circle Community Giving program? How about contributing to our Disability Pride Month fundraiser - or why not both? Here are two ways you can use your voice to make a difference this month.

Vote for Us with Target Circle through September 30th

Did you know that Target has a free community giving program? We were lucky enough to be selected as one of just a few nonprofits in the Triangle to be featured in this summer's Target Circle Community Giving Program! Here's how you can put your shopping to good use:

1. Sign up for the free Target Circle Program

2. Shop at Target and use your Target Circle account to earn votes

3. Cast your votes for Esteamed Coffee in the Target Circle app!

We will be a partner nonprofit from July 1st through September 30th, and all featured nonprofits will split a $15,000 donation based on the number of votes they receive. Thank you in advance for your support!

Donate to our Disability Pride Month Fundraiser

In honor of Disability Pride Month, Esteamed Coffee is working to raise $10,000 for our staff and programs! Our fundraiser presents several different giving levels, from $25 for volunteer supplies to $5000, which could provide an hourly raise for our staff.

As we will not be holding an annual fundraising gala this year, the Disability Pride Month Fundraiser is an easy way to contribute to our mission of lowering the unemployment rate and increasing the quality of life for adults with intellectual, developmental, communication, and/or visual disabilities.

We couldn't be prouder of our staff, volunteers, and community, and we hope you join us this month in celebrating the culture and contributions of all people who identify as having a disability. Thank you!

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Mission Moment

Welcome, Taylor!

As a small cafe with a team of baristas who love doing what they do, we don't often get to hire new staff - but when we do, we celebrate! Please join us in welcoming Taylor Williams, the newest barista to join Esteamed Coffee.

Taylor is excited to start working at Esteamed Coffee and find a job that best caters to his needs! He has past experience working in the restaurant business, but found it stressful and overwhelming. He found Esteamed Coffee when attending the Cary Pimento Cheese Festival and was inspired by our business model. He hopes that working at Esteamed will help him find a job that fits him best, whatever and wherever that may be.

Welcome to the Esteamed team, Taylor!