When my son, Korey, was born 19 years ago, I knew very little about parenting a child, let alone a child with special needs. What I did know, and learned very quickly, was that I loved Korey with all of my heart – the same way all parents love their children.

I enjoyed being a new mom, although the expected early milestones – talking, sitting up and walking – were delayed and required early intervention. It was soon apparent to me that this journey would be different than I expected.

The Guild’s new Coffee Shop opened for business on Aug. 27, and students have been serving staff members beverages and baked goods for an hour every weekday since. Students operate the cash register, prepare food, fulfill orders and make deliveries around the school.

Jesse H. is happy again.

After Jesse suffered a seizure in 2011 at age 14, his parents, Carole and Dan, witnessed a dramatic change in his temperament. The seizure slowed his brain function and left him unable to handle his schoolwork, making him frustrated and increasingly disruptive. When he was released from the hospital after a particularly violent episode in 2014, he came directly to The Guild for Human Services as a residential student.