Jacob McFarland enjoys brewing and delivering his parents coffee, which has earned him the household moniker “Barista Jake” in Norristown, Pennsylvania. And now the autistic 21-year-old has his own cafe.
Making coffee for his father is a hobby of his. “It makes me feel quite content. Indeed, it does. I am speaking the truth. It absolutely does, “Jacob told CBS News that he enjoys preparing coffee for his father.
Angela, his mother, exclaimed, “He’s telling you the truth!” “Jacob is the biggest fan of his father, and my husband enjoys coffee. So, anything my spouse enjoys, Jacob enjoys as well. I was unaware, however, that Jacob was investing himself in study on the best beans to use, the various coffee blends, the ideal water temperature, and the technology behind the entire process. I was unaware of all of that.”
When the epidemic struck, his parents were forced to temporarily close their record store because it was not a vital business. Jacob, who at the time was 19 and had graduated from high school, was still enrolled in continuing education courses, but those were also discontinued.
“He craves regularity, but he no longer had one due to the outbreak,” Angela explained. Therefore, we decided to place a coffee cart outside our store.
The coffee cart was a means to keep people coming out, despite the fact that they were unable to purchase recordings inside the store. Jacob was able to realize his dream of becoming “Barista Jake,” according to his mother.
“This resulted in immense communal admiration for Jacob,” she noted.
Eventually, the cart was relocated inside the record store, and The Coffee Closet with Barista Jake grew. “I was in charge of making the hot coffee, and we watched a video to learn how to prepare iced coffee. Then, we obtained our license to begin food service. So we conduct breakfast-related activities “Jacob stated.
The coffee business was not only profitable, but it also helped transform Jacob’s life. “Since then, life has been a whirlwind. Two years ago, the person Jacob is now – the fact that you posed a question and he immediately responded – would never have occurred “Angela stated.
The cafe has expanded by employing and assisting additional young people with disabilities in their future employment ambitions.
“We just want this to be a secure environment for them to come in, feel of service and value, and learn some vocational skills,” she explained. “I also assist with résumé creation and preparation, and we conduct simulated interviews… We will eventually have a small facility where they can store their interview clothes, allowing them to prepare for interviews and put their best foot forward.”
The cafe has raised approximately $27,000 for scholarship funds, groups that assist the homeless, organizations for persons with autism, and other causes.
Jacob’s business has also benefited him socially. “While he has classmates, he has never had a sleepover, traveled with a friend, or took a friend along on a trip. He lacked some of these experiences “his mum said. “And now, when I hear him having really natural, informal chats with his coworkers, and they’re high-fiving each other and saying, “Hey, good to see you, friend,” I can’t even explain how it makes me feel. Because I never expected him to have that. And he is truly making progress.”
The Coffee Closet is more than a family business to the McFarlands; it is a welcoming place for everybody and a legacy for Jacob. “I believe he has a sense of purpose. And he gets extremely happy to get to work, and when he sees specific people, he will start brewing their coffee before they’ve even entered the building “Angela added.
“He has discovered the social aspect of himself. And if everything were to vanish tomorrow, Jacob’s development over the past two and a half years would have been worth it all.”