Through these challenging times over the last year, the need for community support is more important than ever.
Grand Rapids Triathlon is honored to welcome new local charity sponsor for 2021, Brody’s be Cafe, who encourages the community to support them by drinking coffee — coffee with a purpose. 
Located in Ada, Brody’s be Cafe is a nonprofit that shares a mission of “providing meaningful employment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
The coffee shop was founded by Jenny Cole, an Ada resident, Middle School English teacher and mom of three. Her dream was to create a place that served amazing coffee and have meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities like her son Brody, who is a middle school student in Forest Hills who has Down Syndrome.
Jenn’s dream is now a reality as Brody’s be Cafe currently has on staff ten BEristas who work in the cafe and earn a thriving wage. The name BErista being coined from their vision of “BElieving everyone BElongs and can work BEside one another.” Each BErista works alongside regularly-abled Baristas and together they interact with customers, make drinks, clean and restock the cafe.
The Cafe serves brewed coffee, hot and cold espresso drinks, hot chocolate and steamers, nitro and cold brew coffee, a selection of fine teas and smoothies, as well as locally-made baked goods. Coffee is provided by Uncommon Coffee Roasters of Saugatuck. Chick-fil-A lunches are delivered fresh to the cafe for purchase on Wednesdays and Fridays. Every Friday there is also a special of buy one get one free on drinks, so bringing the whole family is a must.
“Our Brody’s Be BEristas are so excited to serve our world-class coffee to the Triathlon athletes and cheer them on. Both organizations are bringing out the best in people,” said Rachel Stadt, Executive Director of Brody’s be Café.
As a community-funded organization, Brody’s be Cafe exists on the generosity of the community. For more information on how to support Brody’s be Cafe please visit their website: https://www.brodysbecafe.com/
