Our Story

As the mother of a child with a developmental disability, Kathleen wanted to create opportunities to empower her son and help him be independent.

As Charlie started middle school, Kathleen was inspired to set up a cafe which taught cooking skills to students with special needs. She continued the mission at Charlie’s high school, where she set up a cafe run collaboratively by students in the special day class and their high school peers.

The idea for a cafe like Ada’s came from Kathleen’s personal experience and she now takes over as a mother, cheerleader, and advocate for her employees. Her passion for elevating the lives of adults with disabilities inspires a strong work ethic and fosters a warm and welcoming community.

Our Mission

Ada's Cafe and Catering is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization, dedicated to conducting research and providing employment for people with disabilities. We are committed to conducting and publishing research on improving workplaces for people with disabilities and, hiring, training and empowering people with disabilities in our commercial food service business

Our core values:

• Commercial Success
• Community Values
• Compassionate Employment

Why Ada's?

Stopping by Ada's for a cup of coffee or using our catering services has a lasting impact on the lives of our employees. 

Your charitable contribution allows our business to succeed, which allows us to provide more work and training opportunities for our employees with disabilities.

​Oh, and we are a Green Business: sourcing local ingredients, supplies and using over 90% compostable materials

What's in a Name?

Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, Kathleen would often spend time with her friend Linda. At Linda's,  everyone was welcomed with a warm hello and an offer to enjoy some delicious food prepared by Grandma Ada.  Kathleen remembers the warmth and delicious food that came out of their kitchen.

The name Ada's Cafe also has another derivation — the Americans with Disabilities Act — passed into law in 1990 to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

And that is why, "Ada's Cafe" was the best choice for our name.