the Café Joyeux brand, which employs disabled people, opened in New York

After Europe, the inclusive French restaurant chain Cafés Joyeux is launching an attack on America, with the inauguration on March 15 of a space in New York.

Les Cafés Joyeux are crossing the Atlantic: a 21st establishment has just opened in New York. In the service or in the kitchen, employees with autism or Down syndrome, some of them get their first job, in a market, like everywhere else, almost closed for people with mental and cognitive disabilities.

The words “Served with the heart” adorn the glass facade of this Café Joyeux located in the middle of the skyscrapers of Manhattan. Nothing unusual, the latte is as expensive as anywhere else, yet the place is very special for Malik, 20 years old. “I’m so happy, I have tears in my eyes. I always wanted to work, one day or another, and now I do. For a boy like me to be able to have a job, it’s a dream of becoming who you want to be”rejoices the young employee.

Having a paid job is a step towards independence, assures his father Wallace. “It means the world to him. Malik wants to have his own business so it’s a step forward, especially towards autonomy. He is in a hurry to leave the family home, he wants his driving license, he likes to buy clothes. This job makes him extremely independent.” he congratulates himself.

To feel useful

In the United States, 7 million adults live with mental and cognitive disabilities and 80% of them are excluded from the job market. This Café Joyeux hired 14 team members with disabilities. Lydwine Bucaille is the co-founder: “It’s a double punishment to be both excluded from society and on top of that not being able to work, when they really need to be useful, to make themselves useful. Les Cafés Joyeux really respond to this deep need to exist and live like the rest of us.”

“We all thrive this way!”

Gilian Leek, president of an association helping autistic people

at franceinfo

Gilian Leek, president of an association helping autistic people, welcomes this initiative. “Having equal pay, employment, training, feeling integrated, it’s not nothing, she emphasizes. Social inclusion means having friends, sharing relationships but also finding meaning in what we do with our day.” “Happiness has entered my life”, confirms Sebastiao, who works for Café Joyeux in Lisbon. The one in New York is well established, since it benefits from a 10-year lease.