Written and photographed by Joe Guastella
“There’s a choice we’re making. We’re saving our own lives. It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me…”
I recently watched, with attendant goose bumps, a movie about the making of the song from which those lyrics were taken and wrote them down. Once I had done so, it occurred to me that the three-dotted ellipsis at the end of the last line leaves something unsaid for the reader, or listener to figure out. For me there was a challenge voiced in that chorus — an acknowledgement that it is our chance, our opportunity, to make a better day, “just you and me”— together! The statement rings as true today as it did thirty-nine years ago.
In 1985, the entire world came together across TV screens, concert halls and outdoor gatherings to join in singing the song above. It was the anthem, the spark that lit the fire of compassion, raising awareness, spreading the message of suffering that was occurring in Africa. It may be naive to say that music has the power to change the world. However, there is just something about music that can reach into your soul and draw out the belief that you can be more than you are.
Those of you who were lucky enough to attend Compassion Cafe’s presentation of Grease at the Stafford Township Arts Center on May 1st know the feeling. The sounds of singing, laughter and collaboration which required every participant’s care and attention definitely plucked at the collective heartstrings of everyone there.
Compassion Cafe was introduced to the general public three years ago, in March 2021. We made our debut on the pages of Echoes of LBI Magazine in spring of 2022. This is our fourth issue, and it is still an absolute thrill to be included in this extraordinarily well-crafted publication. We offer thanks to publisher Cheryl Kirby and her truly dedicated corps of staff professionals and contributors as they continue to help spread the word of our growing community of caregivers and recipients. That community was born out of a desire to make a tiny piece of our complex, troubled world, our 18-mile-long fragile slice of shoreline and sand dunes, that confronts the mighty Atlantic, a little better. The founders and organizers wrote the framework for their vision down on paper. They put out a call to families of special needs teens and adults, as well as to folks with a yearning to volunteer, to come aboard. They rolled up their sleeves and went to work. In our introductory article in Echoes, we spoke of Hope as being a fragile thing, yet something that we could count on to carry us through difficult times. We now revisit the Cafe coming up to its fourth season in operation.
Compassion Cafe 2024 — the need is still here! The intangible, uplifting feeling that Compassion Cafe provides to the community has not waned. Initially, there was COVID, and the Cafe offered a way out of isolation, of differences of opinion which caused rifts in families and friendships, a way out of cynicism and a focus for our energies and innate desire to come together as social creatures. It was a welcome change during a time of domestic political and social unrest and confrontation. We look to the Cafe to provide a space for self-esteem, acceptance, for the opportunity to work, to speak, to be heard, to be listened to.
We have friends and neighbors in our retirement community who get excited, even moved to tears to come to the Cafe for a cup of coffee, to hear a song or fill out a survey, to pick up a bag of homemade dog treats, t-shirt, ball cap, or bumper sticker; all of which are emblazoned with the coffee cup and heart logo that shows support for and inclusion in our growing family of believers.
Co-Founder Sue Sharkey’s words:
“As we enter into our 4th year, some might think the honeymoon is over… we were a novelty when we opened- … But we’re as strong as ever! I witness it every time the staff gets together…We (have a) wholehearted belief in…the possibilities for all the people in our employ. Which makes us so much more than a job… our donors (and the Sea Shell) continue to finance our crazy idea of overemployment and tell me they are better people because they have witnessed our little cafe with extraordinary customer service in action. We’re here to stay- I’m working on our ten-year plan… who’s with me?”
In 2023, Compassion Cafe was honored to be named Employer of the Year by the NJ Chapter of the National Association of People Supporting Employment First. It was an honor, to be sure, but it does not answer the question of why we do what we do. We believe that winning is not determined by score, but by participation. Yes, participation is the key. Participation equals winning. When I say “We,” I do not only mean our wonderful, growing staff of trained customer service representatives and their families. We are a community. We welcome new members. There is a place for everyone who wants to participate, to whatever extent their time and abilities will allow.
Our staff has grown from about thirty employees in the first season to eighty as of September 2023. Our vital volunteer corps has grown right alongside as well. We need each other to move forward. We need customers, donors, interviewers, aides, mentors, nurses, teachers, folks with ideas, organizers, supporters, listeners more than talkers, drivers, buggy-luggers, smilers and, yes, even though we are full-up with teary-eyed onlookers, we need more of those who are moved to tears by what they witness at the Cafe. So, dear reader if you are curious, why not come on down to:
Compassion Cafe at the Oceanfront Sea Shell Resort
10 S. Atlantic Ave, Beach Haven
Tuesday, May 14 through Thursday, September 12
7 am till 11 am
Compassion Cafe seeks the integration of teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through paid part-time summer employment in a small coffee shop environment with free hands-on training and ongoing support in an atmosphere of joy, community, love, and unconditional acceptance. By providing meaningful employment our employees gain independence, self-confidence, and work skills for future success. Compassion Cafe is a 501(c)(3) partnering with local businesses in a true, non-profit model.
