Ada’s Café is a Palo Alto-based 501(c) 3, non-profit that provides training and jobs for adults with developmental disabilities living primarily in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The social mission of Ada’s is three-fold: (i) to hire and train adults with disabilities to work in its café and catering businesses, (ii) to engage teens and young adults through work and involvement with Ada’s disabled employees and (ii) to foster a better understanding among the general population about the contributions that can be made by developmentally disabled adults. The benefits of empowering and employing adults with developmental disabilities are clear, innumerable and easy to document with social science statistics. The population of adults with intellectual disabilities is one of the most marginalized in our society, is often ignored and suffers from an unemployment rate estimated at nearly 80%. The self-esteem and health benefits that come from having a job, the satisfaction that comes from making an important contribution to a sustainable enterprise and reducing the burden on an already overwhelmed and under-funded social welfare support system are just a few of the many benefits created by Ada’s. In addition, Ada’s believes that youth engaged in meaningful work will feel more connected to and invested in their communities. In all of its ventures, Ada’s Café brings diverse groups of people together in a warm and welcoming environment with a mission of creating good food and community.