Abby Lee, a San Antonio native, is helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find meaningful opportunities to feel truly part of the community they call home.
Lee serves as program director at SA Life Academy, overseeing a community-based day program for participants affectionately known as “Stars.” These adults, ages 18 and older, spend time both on campus and throughout San Antonio volunteering, attending recreational activities and building life skills — creating experiences many may not have previously had access to.
Most recently, SA Life Academy launched the Rising STARS Coffee Truck, an internship-based program designed to develop life and pre-vocational skills while serving the San Antonio community.
“Our goal is to take our Stars into the community and bring the community to them,” Lee said. “We want them to experience life the way everyone else does — with friendships, responsibilities and opportunities to grow.”
She said San Antonio’s welcoming spirit has made the program’s expansion possible.
“San Antonio is incredibly welcoming, and that’s made all the difference,” Lee said.
The mobile coffee operation grew out of SA Life Academy’s career development program, which focuses on building pre-vocational and life skills tailored to each Star’s abilities and goals. Through the internship-style program, participants rotate through stations that include customer service, reading orders, measuring ingredients and assisting with espresso preparation.
“You think a coffee truck means pushing a button,” Lee said. “But there are so many steps involved. Every step matters, and every step is an opportunity for growth.”
Rather than emphasizing perfection, the program emphasizes progress, confidence and self-advocacy, allowing each participant to grow at their own pace.
For many Stars, the coffee truck represents their first opportunity to apply learned skills in a real-world setting. Because of the program’s emphasis on self-advocacy, participants are taught to communicate their needs and identify their strengths and preferences — skills that extend far beyond the coffee truck.
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church purchased the truck as part of its ministry outreach in partnership with the academy. Lee said the congregation embraced the mission immediately.
“This community didn’t just give us a coffee truck,” she said. “They gave our Stars a platform to show what they are capable of.”
The response from the broader community has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents frequently stop by to encourage those working on the truck.
“We’ve had people come up to us and say, ‘This gives me hope for my child’s future,’” Lee said. “That’s when you realize this is bigger than coffee.”
Lee encourages community members to get involved — whether by visiting the coffee truck, volunteering with SA Life Academy or simply offering a smile.
“We believe every person is created with purpose,” Lee said. “Doing life together means honoring that, walking alongside one another and trusting God with the growth we see every day.”
Click Here To learn More about SA Life Academy.
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