This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we're celebrating the people and partnership behind every bag of Aspire CoffeeWorks coffee, and the opportunities that have been brewing since 2009.

CHICAGO, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we're celebrating the people and partnership behind every bag of Aspire CoffeeWorks coffee, and the opportunities that have been brewing since 2009.

There's something special about a great cup of coffee.

It's part of our morning routines, a reason to gather with friends, and sometimes the perfect way to start a conversation. But at Aspire CoffeeWorks, there's an even bigger story behind every cup.

It's a story about people who take pride in their work, coworkers who learn and grow together, and two Chicago organizations that believe meaningful employment opportunities should be available to everyone.

Because great coffee starts with great people, and great partnerships help those people thrive.

A Partnership Built on Shared Possibility

In 2009, Aspire and Metropolis Coffee Company came together with a shared idea: What if a great cup of coffee could also create meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities?

Aspire brought its commitment to helping people with disabilities build confidence, independence, and meaningful careers. Metropolis brought its expertise as a family-owned Chicago coffee roaster, along with a dedication to quality and community.

This shared idea created Aspire CoffeeWorks.

What began as a partnership rooted in shared values has grown into a lasting example of what businesses and community organizations can accomplish when they recognize the talents and contributions of people of all abilities.

And while the partnership has grown over the years, its purpose remains the same: creating opportunities for people to contribute, develop their skills, and take pride in what they accomplish.

Behind Every Bag Is a Team Worth Celebrating

At the Metropolis roastery, the Aspire CoffeeWorks team helps bring every bag of coffee to life.

Metropolis sources and expertly roasts the beans, while CoffeeWorks team members take on important responsibilities such as labeling, packaging, and preparing coffee for customers.

It's a process built on teamwork, attention to detail, and pride in a job well done.

For the people working at Aspire CoffeeWorks, these responsibilities offer opportunities to strengthen skills, build confidence, and experience the satisfaction of contributing to something others enjoy every day.

Take Rene, Alicia, Marcus, and Ben, four members of the CoffeeWorks team whose accomplishments we're celebrating throughout NDEAM.

Rene has been strengthening his skills in coffee packaging and palletizing, taking on greater responsibility as he grows in his work.

Alicia and Marcus have been building confidence sealing coffee bags and using the five-pound packaging machine.

And Ben has been working on his efficiency while grinding and preparing 12-ounce bags of coffee.

Each accomplishment reflects something different because each person brings their own strengths, interests, and goals to the workplace.

Whether it's mastering a new task, helping a teammate, or taking pride in a finished product, these everyday moments are what make meaningful employment so valuable.

Behind every bag is someone making a contribution that matters.

More Than Coffee, It's a Place to Grow

A job can mean so much more than a paycheck.

It can mean having coworkers who count on you. Learning something you didn't know how to do yesterday. Finding confidence in your abilities. Being trusted with new responsibilities.

Or simply feeling proud of what you've accomplished at the end of the day.

For the Aspire CoffeeWorks team, those opportunities are part of the everyday experience.

And for Katie Welge, Director of Aspire CoffeeWorks, helping create an environment where people can build skills, contribute, and grow is at the heart of the work.

"Watching Aspire CoffeeWorks team members grow into their roles is incredibly rewarding. I see firsthand how confidence builds, how people take ownership of their work, and the pride that comes from knowing the work they do matters. Every team member brings unique strengths to the table, and I love watching our team try new things, develop new skills, and grow in their careers at Aspire CoffeeWorks."

The success of Aspire CoffeeWorks isn't measured by the number of bags prepared or orders completed.

It's reflected in the people who show up ready to work, the skills they develop, the friendships they build, and the confidence they carry into other parts of their lives.

And that success is possible because of a partnership that continues to recognize what every person can bring to the table.

When Businesses Open Doors, Everyone Benefits

For Metropolis Coffee Company, the partnership with Aspire has always represented something bigger than coffee.

As a family-owned Chicago business known for its commitment to craft roasting, Metropolis has helped create a workplace where people with disabilities contribute to a product enjoyed by coffee lovers across the country.

The relationship is a reminder that meaningful employment opportunities grow when businesses recognize people's strengths and create space for those talents to shine.

In 2024, Aspire recognized Metropolis with its Partner in Progress Award, celebrating the company's longstanding commitment to expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

That recognition reflects years of working side by side, learning from one another, and demonstrating the value of a workplace where everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

For Anne Djerai, CEO of Metropolis Coffee Company, the partnership offers a perspective on how businesses can make a difference through the opportunities they create.

"Giving back has never been a side project for us; it's part of how we roast coffee. Since 2009, the Aspire CoffeeWorks team has worked alongside ours, and every bag they pack shows what happens when people of all abilities get a real seat at the table. We believe a business is only as good as what it does for its community. Being Aspire's coffee partner reminds us every day that great coffee can do great good."

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, partnerships like this remind us that creating meaningful employment opportunities is a shared responsibility.

It takes people ready to contribute their talents, teammates who recognize their strengths, and employers who understand the value of opening doors.

And when those pieces come together, the possibilities extend far beyond the workplace.

Coffee That Gives Back, One Cup at a Time

There's another important part of the Aspire CoffeeWorks story.

100% of Aspire CoffeeWorks' net proceeds benefit Aspire, helping create more opportunities for people with disabilities to live, learn, work, and connect with their communities.

That means every purchase supports more than great coffee. It helps make meaningful employment opportunities, life-enrichment experiences, safe places to call home, and access to the resources people need to pursue their goals possible.

And there are plenty of ways to be part of it.

From signature blends like Everyday Inspiration and Bold Ambition to Dream Big Decaf and Enterprising Espresso, Aspire CoffeeWorks offers freshly roasted coffee for just about every kind of coffee lover.

Businesses can also bring Aspire CoffeeWorks into their workplaces through office coffee, wholesale orders, and corporate gifting.

Whether you're brewing a cup at home or sharing coffee with coworkers, you're helping support a partnership that puts people and possibility first.

Here's to the People Who Make It Possible

More than 17 years after Aspire and Metropolis first came together, their partnership continues to demonstrate the power of shared purpose.

But the real story isn't just about two organizations.

It's about Rene, Alicia, Marcus, Ben, and the other people who bring their talents and dedication to work each day.

It's about the satisfaction of mastering a new skill, the confidence that comes from being trusted with responsibility, and the friendships that make a workplace feel like a community.

It's about what becomes possible when people are given opportunities to contribute, grow, and be recognized for their work.

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we're grateful to Metropolis Coffee Company, the Aspire CoffeeWorks team, and everyone who has helped this partnership grow.

Because behind every great cup of coffee is a team worth celebrating, and a world of possibility worth sharing.

Be Part of What's Brewing

Explore Aspire CoffeeWorks, meet the people behind the coffee, and discover how your next cup can help create more opportunities for people with disabilities.

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Media Contact

Dylan Phillips, Aspire, 1 7084830136, marketing@aspirechicago.com, Aspirechicago.com

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SOURCE Aspire