Volunteers refresh Riverside Coffee Shop spaces
“We have the Pilot Company, what they call Miles of Good, and they do service projects all over the community,” said Angie Davidson with ABA Next Steps and executive director with Riverside Coffee Shop, 16239 US Highway 70, Lenoir City. “We put in an application and they chose us to come.
“We had two teams coming,” she said. “The morning team helped us do painting for our new community room, and they are pressure washing the outside.
“We have an afternoon team that’s come in, and they’re getting our community space outside — our tables put up,” Davidson said. “We’re having them focus on our community spaces inside and outside, putting in the labor for us.
“They’ve also been generous to donate all the supplies,” she added.
“ABA Next Steps is proud to partner with Pilot Company’s Miles of Good program” for the volunteer effort to “enhance Riverside Coffee Shop as a welcoming, inclusive community space,” Davidson said. “I know their goal and mission is to help in the community, where they sort of align with what’s going on.
“My understanding is they like our project here,” she said. “We work with adults with disabilities, give them job skills, life skills and independent living skills … they were interested in partnering with us.”
Through this initiative, Davidson said Pilot Company volunteers dedicated their time and effort to help transform the coffee shop into a welcoming environment.
“The project reflects a shared commitment to community impact — creating a joyful gathering place where individuals can meet, build relationships and feel a sense of community,” Davidson said. “It will also further support ABA Next Steps’ mission of providing meaningful, real-world training opportunities for adults with disabilities.
“ABA Next Steps works to promote community inclusion and foster meaningful social interaction while equipping participants with practical tools needed to enter the workforce successfully,” she said. “Through hands-on
experience in the coffee shop, student interns discover their strengths, build confidence and learn to effectively communicate their abilities as they pursue employment opportunities.”
“This collaboration with Pilot Company highlights the power of community partnerships in creating spaces that uplift, connect, and empower individuals of all abilities.
