July Newsletter
Our Expansion Plans, Full Steam Ahead, and More!
Our Expansion Plans, Full Steam Ahead, and More!
July is Disability Pride Month, and at Esteamed, it's one of our favorite times of year. Disability Pride Month originated to commemorate the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990. This year's theme is "The World Works Better With Us" - a sentiment we try to live out every single day at Esteamed. Read more below about the ways we uplift and celebrate adults with disabilities through employment, economic opportunities, social events, and more!
One quick housekeeping note: we'll be closing at 12:00 pm on Saturday, July 4th, and remain closed on Sunday, July 5th. We look forward to seeing everyone after the holiday weekend.
In case you missed it - yes, it's real, and yes, we're just as excited as you are! After over five years of serving the downtown Cary neighborhood, Esteamed Coffee is opening a second cafe! Later this year, you'll be able to find us at the NeighborUp Cary Campus, right alongside the brand-new Dorcas Vintage & Home, where you will be able to sip and shop to your heart's content.
If you know Dorcas Thrift Shop, you know it's been a Cary staple for ages. We're honored to be part of its next chapter - pulling espresso shots next to racks of vintage treasures and one-of-a-kind home finds, perfect for a little thirsty thrifting while supporting NeighborUp's work providing help for today and hope for tomorrow.
For us, this is about more than a second location. It's about adding up to 12 new jobs for adults with disabilities, and one more place in Cary where everyone belongs. We started this dream as one small cafe, and we are incredibly grateful to be watching it grow alongside a partner who shares our values.
More details (including an opening date!) coming soon. Stay tuned!
Esteamed Coffee's Full Steam Ahead Scholarship is back, and this year it's made possible entirely through the generosity of an anonymous donor, who has doubled the award from $1,000 to $2,000 this year.
This scholarship exists because we believe in what's possible when adults with disabilities are given the resources to chase their dreams. The award can go toward continuing education, job training, or supporting a recipient's own independent business.
Past recipient Jason Clinard Roth put that belief into motion in a powerful way: he used his scholarship to enroll at UNC School of the Arts, where he's studying film and hoping to elevate autistic voices in cinema.
If you or someone you know is an adult with a disability living in Wake County and ready to take the next step toward a goal, applications are open now through July 24th, 2026. Awardees will be notified by August 1st.
Some updates make us especially happy, and this one's from Michael, our former Floor Supervisor whose growth at Esteamed Coffee still inspires us every day.
Michael stopped by the cafe recently with wonderful news: he's now spent over a year as a certified pharmacy technician at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill! For those who remember Michael's early days with us, when stepping into a room full of people felt overwhelming, this milestone means everything.
Michael has also built close friendships in Chapel Hill, and this summer he's looking forward to moving into a new house full of sunshine.
We love seeing how the confidence and independence that Michael built with us continue to carry him forward into a life full of "possumbilities." Thank you, Michael, for stopping by and letting us be part of your story - we're so very proud of you!
Your donation helps the Esteamed Coffee® team and all people with disabilities have a place where belonging meets community.