Photo via: @camscoffeecreations
At birth, Camden Myers suffered a traumatic brain injury and as a result has experienced some developmental and social challenges during his short nine years of life. His own personal challenges coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit led him to create "Cam’s Coffee Creations," a coffee shop business with a goal of hiring and training people with special needs.
Originally operating as a "pop up shop" style business while also selling products online, Cam’s Coffee Creations recently had a grand opening to now be permanently located inside of the Green Tree Community Center in his hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "With the right support, kids and teens and individuals with special needs really can accomplish anything, and so today is basically our mission, our vision in action,” said Latasha Lewis, Cam's mother at the grand opening ceremony.
While the shop menu includes brewed coffees from all over the world, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools students with various disabilities will receive job training and help behind the counter of the shop. Also, baked goods sold in the shop will be provided by "BeSpoke Confections," whose employees have various levels of autism. While the opening of this shop is a huge accomplishment for Myers, his vision clearly extends beyond one community center store front. He shares, “I like helping people. I like working. I like making money and I like donating money. I like donating money to people who don't have houses or food."
Myers is still working towards his goal of having a mobile coffee shop. He also welcomes donations from anyone interested in supporting the mission behind his shop of providing practical training and work experience to persons with special needs. In the meantime, we wish him and all of his employees the best of luck in your new shop home.
To learn more about Cam’s Coffee Creations or to donate, please visit: www.camscoffeecreations.com.