by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The Friendship Place, located within the Central Florida Dreamplex campus located at 2400 US-27, Suite 4108, Clermont, celebrated the grand opening of its brand-new coffee shop, coffee shop, Friendly Grounds Cafe on Wednesday, February 11th. The South Lake Chamber of Commerce officiated at the ribbon-cutting.
Friendly Grounds Cafe is more than a business while the cozy shop serves as both a life skills opportunity for the clients of the Friendship Place but also a positive way for the clients to raise funds for daily programs at the adults with disabilities center. The coffee shop will be open from 10 am- noon each business day and will serve a variety of coffee blends along with plentiful Danish breakfast and muffin favorites.
To help celebrate the grand opening, the South Lake Chamber of Commerce sponsored a ribbon-cutting, complete with a welcome message from Friendship Place Director, Brianna Rudolph. “I would like to say that today represents more than the opening of a café. This space represents opportunity, inclusion and beliefs and talents of the people who serve here each and every day. The Café was created with a simple goal and that was to give adults with disabilities a meaningful opportunity to build job skills, confidence, and independence all while serving great coffee and connecting with the people around them,” says Brianna.
Also present to celebrate the occasion was Clermont Mayor Tim Murry, who joined in the opening ceremony comments. The mayor thanked the large crowd of attendees for continually supporting the clients and the Friendship Place. “Your presence in being here today shows the Friendship clients that their work matters and that they are supported by an incredible, incredible community that we call Clermont,” says Mayor Murry.
The Friendship Place provides adults with a safe and engaging day-time program to meet their mental, social, and healthcare needs while providing a respite to caregivers. The Friendship Place clients have direct and immediate access to physical, speech, and occupational therapy services, as well as recreation and fitness programs to ensure healthy minds, bodies, and souls.
Please visit www.Cfldreamplex.com/friendship-place for additional information.
