Governor Lamont Presents Citation to Coffee for Good, Marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Governor Ned Lamont visited Coffee for Good at the historic Mead House on Maple Ave Friday morning.

After meeting board members and staff, including Ben Beloff, whose t-shirt said, “Inclusion is Brewing,” Governor Lamont shared a citation recognizing Coffee for Good for providing employment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and demonstrating a dedication to altruism and the common good.

“Coffee for Good’s passion, enthusiasm, and leadership within the Greenwich and greater Connecticut community is outstanding, and its achievements are laudable,” the citation continued.

The primary mission of Coffee for Good is to improve the lives of people with disabilities by reducing the high unemployment rate of people within that community. The coffee shop offers paid training to help individuals with disabilities gain job skills and transition into competitive integrated employment.

“Steve Meskers has been wanting me to do this for a long time, and I’m glad I finally made it,” Lamont said.

“It says something about the quality of our state and the leadership that we have for someone who manages 3.5 million people and an economy as large as the state’s would take the time out of his day to stop by and acknowledge people. That’s a level of humanity that in some ways is lacking at the federal level.”

Alan Gunzburg, who chairs the Greenwich ADA Advisory and Advocacy Committee, had his service dog Denise by his side as he shared remarks, thanking the governor for shining a light on disability employment.

“Our goal should be to make sure people with disabilities aren’t simply included in our communities, but are valued as employees, colleagues and contributors – people who can bring their talents to the table and thrive alongside everyone else,” Gunzburg said.

Coffee for Good is located at 48 Maple Avenue in Greenwich, inside the historic 1858 Mead House on the campus of the Second Congregational Church.