This is Bradley Kohler.
He’s a 24-year-old adult with Fragile X Syndrome. Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic chromosome disorder that causes mild to severe mental impairment. He’s had it since he was seven.
These are his parents, Mike and Tempa Kohler.
When Bradley was 22, he “aged out” of the Gwinnett School in Georgia. He needed a place to go instead of being left at home in front of a TV — but where?
In hopes to ensure a job and future for their son, the Kohlers decided to create Special Kneads and Treats, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity bakery in the middle of downtown Lawrenceville, Georgia.
But the bakery isn’t just a gift for Bradley, Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. currently employs nine young adults with disabilities.
“You give them a job to do, they learn it, and they know it well and they take pride in it and the love to come to work,” Tempa told TODAY. “I have yet to have one [special needs employee] call in sick.”
Volunteers and staff employees are paired with special needs employees. TODAY interviewed Mark Hayes and his partner Laurie McIntosh, who’ve worked with each other for five months.
“If it wasn’t for her, I would be lost. She taught me the meaning of family. She’s shown me how to make the cupcakes, how to make the frosting. She showed me the lead. She’s given me the reigns of the horse to be able to fly.”
Mark iced his first cake in July. The Kohlers wanted to sell it, but he wanted to take it home.
Every other Friday, employees are rewarded for their hard work with a paycheck.
The Kohlers know more than 250 families in their Georgia community who have children with special needs. Their dedication to providing outlets and guidance for the special needs community has swamped the bakery with volunteers, and as much business as they can handle.
Special Kneads and Treats’ focus on providing all adults with a place to learn a skill and develop a sense of accountability and pride has also lead to abundance support from churches and local businesses.
Pastor Jason from Amazing Grace church presents the bakery with a donation from their Lent offering.
Fastsigns of Snellville donated a new vinyl door sign to the business.
According to local Georgia reports about the bakery, the Kohlers don’t plan to stop their outreach with cupcakes and cakes.
They’d love to expand into other enterprises like thrift stores, an event hall or a soup kitchen to feed the homeless — relying on the work ethic of special needs adults.
Immediate plans for the bakery include hiring 25 to 50 special needs adults to work, and displaying the bakery’s tag line on the wall…
Everyone needs to be ‘kneaded.’
All photos courtesy of Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. Facebook.
