Rooster Café honored as Champion of Inclusion

Left to right, Melanie Sicard, Stephen Payne, Carla Ferreira and Shawn Robinson at the annual Community Celebration of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Month.

The DDS Holyoke and Chicopee Citizens Advisory Board recognized ServiceNet’s Rooster Café as a Champion of Inclusion during the 20th annual Community Celebration of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Month on March 25.

Carla Ferreira, DDS HC Art Show committee member and AO health care coordinator, presented the award and said, “The Rooster Cafe is being honored and recognized this evening as a community partner who creates inclusive, warm, and welcoming environments for the individuals they support– where all feel welcomed, valued, included, and respected as members of their community.”

Shawn Robinson, vice president of vocational services; Alison LaClaire, director of operations; Stephen Payne, chef; and Melani Sicard, program participant and sous chef, accepted the award.

“I definitely felt really proud, not only because of getting to work at the Rooster Café, because it’s really a special place, but because I’m really proud of all our cafe workers. They’re always excelling and improving– going above and beyond, really. I felt like they really earned it,” said Payne.

“It was amazing!” said Sicard.

After she finishes a shift and thinks, “I worked so hard today!” to herself, is when Sicard feels the proudest of herself at work. She loves creating things and making something with her own hands– whether it’s a delicious meal at the Rooster Café, or a new art piece.

ServiceNet’s Rooster Café is a vocational culinary training program for individuals with disabilities. As paid employees, participants learn many practical skills in everyday life and the culinary career field. They learn how to work with one another and an employer, interact with customers, and create food from fresh ingredients, many of which are grown at ServiceNet’s Prospect Meadow Farm.

“I’m proud that we get to teach people life skills, and over time, you get to see the changes that take place. People’s interest in food develops, people’s proficiency develops, and then our clients come back with stories, saying they’re taking these skills and using them at home and they’re also building friendships with each other,” said Payne.

“Every meal you enjoy at the cafe or through its catering service enables the Rooster Café to help talented individuals gain valuable skills and participate more actively in the community,” said Ferreira.

Barrie Vogel, a ServiceNet relief counselor outreach staff member, was also recognized and honored as a Champion of Inclusion.