Join us for live music at SimplyBe 
on Saturday, September 13 at 10am with local guitarist Chris App!
With over a decade of experience performing at coffee shops, restaurants, and farmers markets, Chris brings a unique style of improvised acoustic and electric guitar instrumentals. His smooth, relaxing sound creates the perfect backdrop to unwind with your favorite SimplyBe drink.
Stop by, grab a cup, and enjoy the music!
Every March, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness Month highlights the unique talents, contributions, and challenges faced by individuals with IDD. But this month is not just about awareness, it’s about action.
People with IDD contribute to our communities in meaningful ways, yet they often face barriers in education, employment, and in our communities. At SimplyBe Coffee, we see the impact of inclusion firsthand. As a nonprofit coffee shop employing individuals with disabilities, we witness their talents, dedication, and the joy they bring to their work, every single day. That’s why the campaign #werehereallyear resonates so deeply with us.
SimplyBe also serves as inspiration to families that may not have been able to visualize a clear future for their son or daughter – here they see individuals overcoming many different types of challenges to be part of a community that supports and celebrates them. Additionally, our customers can witness the value and importance of inclusion as our staff work, interact, and thrive in an environment where they feel valued and supported.
Beyond employment, SimplyBe also serves as a place of connection. SimplyBe Connected is a monthly gathering where parents, caregivers, and loved ones can come together to learn, share resources, ask tough questions, and support one another in the journey of caring for a person with special need.
In honor of IDD awareness month, we urge you to support businesses and organizations that promote inclusive employment and take the time to learn more about the IDD community. One resource we highly recommend is the NOVA Developmental Disability Group Genius. This online community connects families with experts and service providers across Northern Virginia, offering valuable guidance through an easy-to-access platform and virtual fairs. Membership is free, providing a centralized space for essential information.
We encourage you to join the NOVA DD Group Genius community here and continue supporting #CoffeeWithACause. By learning more and engaging with the IDD community, we can break down misconceptions and ensure that individuals with disabilities are recognized for their abilities and not defined by their challenges.
In the quiet corners of Loudoun County, Virginia, there exists a sanctuary of shared experiences, support, and hope. This haven is SimplyBe Connected (SBC), a monthly gathering where parents of children with disabilities convene to navigate the intricate paths of parenthood. At Connected, they find solace, camaraderie, and a wealth of resources to guide them through the challenges unique to their journey.
Picture this: a cozy room filled with laughter, nods of understanding, and the occasional tear wiped away with empathy. This is the scene at SimplyBe Connected meetings, where parents find not only understanding but also practical solutions to the hurdles they face. These gatherings are more than just meetings; they are lifelines in a sea of uncertainty.
One of the recent sessions focused on day programs for children and young adults with special needs. The guest speaker, Jen Reese, spearheaded an initiative to increase day program funding within the Loudoun County Government. Her impassioned presentation resonated deeply with the audience, drawing in nearly 20 attendees eager to advocate for change. This is the power of community coming together with a common purpose.
But SimplyBe Connected is just one facet of an amazing framework of support for the disability community that is being fostered by SimplyBe Coffee and Tree of Life. Through the Still Waters program, a special needs ministry offered through Tree of Life, parents find a plethora of daily events tailored to their children’s needs. Spearheaded by the dedicated volunteer Cindy Welsh, Still Waters provides a safe haven where children with disabilities can thrive and shine. From yoga sessions to book clubs, from pickleball matches to lively dances, there’s something for every child to enjoy.
At SimplyBe Coffee, they’ve established a meaningful partnership with the DaVinci Art Program in Loudoun County, helping to bridge the gap between artists of all abilities and the broader community. This collaboration is designed to foster a deeper appreciation for the arts while providing a platform for artists with varying levels of ability to showcase their talents.
The DaVinci Art Program, an Arts for All Loudoun division, provides a welcoming and inclusive space that fosters a sense of belonging and community for artists to explore their creativity and develop their skills. The program is built on the premise that every artist has a unique story to tell, and it encourages participation from people of all abilities, starting from age 16 and beyond. Through its Open Art Studio and Art Group sessions,
DaVinci creates an environment where artists can create and form connections with others who share their passion for art, making them feel a part of something bigger.
SimplyBe Coffee plays a vital role in bringing the work of DaVinci’s artists to a wider audience. By hosting “Meet the Artist” events, SimplyBe offers a chance for the community to engage directly with these talented individuals. These events are about showcasing artwork and celebrating the personal stories and experiences that inform each piece.
In addition to the “Meet the Artist” events, SimplyBe facilitates the sale of artwork produced by DaVinci’s artists. This provides a source of income for the artists and validates their work in the eyes of the public. It’s a crucial step in recognizing the value and importance of art created by people with disabilities, emphasizing that creativity knows no boundaries.
Through this partnership, Simplybe Coffee and the DaVinci Art Program are breaking barriers and promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect. The collaboration demonstrates that art can bring people together, allowing for the sharing of experiences and building a more connected community. As SimplyBe continues to work with DaVinci, the impact on both the artists and the community will grow, reinforcing the idea that art is a universal language everyone can speak and understand.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the ministries of Tree of Life and SimplyBe Coffee are about more than just support – they are a lifeline for parents of children with disabilities. It’s a reminder that no one is alone in their journey and that together, we can overcome any obstacle. So, here’s to building bridges, fostering connections, and nurturing hope – one meeting at a time.
At SimplyBe, we hope to share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone who walks through our doors and encourage our staff to SimplyBe themselves…fearfully and wonderfully made! SimplyBe Coffee is a quaint coffee shop located in downtown Leesburg that employees people with disabilities. We are unique in that sense, but in many other ways, too.
This past year, we were blessed when 11-year-old Zohaib Begg came to us looking for a community service project he could do in the town of Leesburg. He contacted us, stating, “I do many community service projects in the area that help other youth and those who may be disadvantaged. To date, I have done many projects, like helping frontline workers, the unhoused, children battling childhood cancer, and senior citizens battle loneliness. My work has been recognized by leaders and government officials like President Bush and Obama.”
We were astonished that a child like this not only found our Leesburg coffee shop and wanted to help but had already done so much for our community in his 11 years. Zohaib wanted to put a kindness cart in the play area at SimplyBe Coffee and explained the concept to us: it is a cart filled with toys, books, puzzles, and games of a particular theme each month. Anyone visiting the coffee shop can play with all the toys and leave their names in a jar after they are done playing with the toys and put them away. At the end of the month, SimplyBe staff will draw a name, and all the items in the cart will be donated to one family. Zohaib continues, “The following month, I will replace all the items with a different theme.”
We felt the kindness cart was not only completely in line with our mission but also the perfect fit for our children’s play area at SimplyBe, where parents may take a break without worrying about their children playing, something that is not always easy to find in Leesburg.
At SimplyBe, we employ individuals with disabilities, providing opportunities where they may contribute and grow their unique strengths. Here, they are valued, visible, and connected. We cannot think of a better way to show this than through Zohaib’s kindness cart, and we want to thank him publicly for his kindness and generosity. Thank you, Zohaib!
Read more about some of Zohaib’s community projects and impacts here: www.zohaibhelps.us
