Stella Nova Donates All Locations To Local Nonprofit, Helping To Employ People With Disabilities

An Oklahoma local coffee chain Stella Nova donated all four of its stores to Not Your Average Joe, a local nonprofit coffee shop that employs people with special needs, Not Your Average Joe’s founder told News 9 on Wednesday. 

Of the 200 employees working for Not Your Average Joe, 150 of them have an intellectual, developmental, or physical disability. The merger will create roughly 100 new jobs for neurodivergent people in Oklahoma, the organization shared. 

Executive Director and founder Tim Herbel elaborated, "At Not Your Average Joe, we have created a space where people of all abilities belong and not just belong; they’re valued.” 

“The reason we started Not Your Average Joe is: [that] 77.5% of those who have a disability are either unemployed or underemployed after high school. For those of us who are neurotypical, it is 4 percent,” Herbel explained. 

So, when the opportunity to grow came from Stella Nova, Not Your Average Joe took it. 

"The transition will be smooth. If you are used to going to Stella Nova, you probably won't notice much change. Your wait time is going to be about the same. You're going to see a lot of the same faces," Herbel expanded. 

Over the next 30 days, Stella Nova employees will receive training on how to work with neurodivergent individuals, he added. “Over time you will get to experience more types of coffee. We'll have a pour-over bar eventually.” 

In addition to new drinks, Not Your Average Joe said Stella Nova will be adding new food to its menu. 

Herbel said he is unsure of whether or not Stella Nova’s name will remain or change. “And then, of course, they'll recognize a few new faces as we get to hire people from those communities in Crown Heights; in Edmond,” he said referring to two of Stella Nova’s locations. “And they will get to see friends who have superpowers shine." 

The process of adapting Stella Nova's locations to become more accessible will cost $800,000, the owner shared. Herbel added that Not Your Average Joe started fundraising weeks ago and is only $50,000 away from its goal. 

If you would like to donate to the project, click here.