Building Community Through Inclusive Employment: Jack and The Bean Coffee and Lesage Water

In communities across the region, inclusive employment is moving beyond conversation and into action. 

Local organizations like Jack and The Bean Coffee and LeSage Water are demonstrating what it looks like to intentionally build workplaces where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not only employed, but empowered, visible and valued. 

While each business’s products are different, their missions intersect in a powerful way by creating opportunity, dignity and belonging through work.

A MISSION BORN FROM FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

Jack and The Bean began not as a business plan, but as a family searching for meaningful post-graduation opportunities. 

“Jack and The Bean is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of employment and community engagement for adults with intellectual disabilities,” said Melanie Adkins, the owner and founder of the coffee shop. “It started off with just being my son Jack. We were looking for something for him to do and be engaged with after high school.”

As Jack aged out of the public school system, the reality of how quickly structured opportunities can disappear became clear, she added. 

What began as informal participation in community events, slowly revealed something larger. 

“People seemed to really engage with us and support,” Adkins said. “So we had to get our business license and we went legit.”

Over time, Jack and The Bean evolved from a mobile setup to a permanent presence. Since 2023, the shop has been located on Poplar Street in Kenova, WV. 

THE JACK BEHIND IT ALL

Jack himself remains central to the identity of the organization. 

“He has moderate autism and he’s always loved going places and loved people, especially little people,” Adkins said. “He’s just very friendly, very outgoing, and it was just a good fit.”

Having spent his childhood deeply embedded in community life, the transition away from school activities only reinforced the importance of continued engagement. 

Jack’s joy is felt daily inside the shop and often, this joy shows up in unexpected ways, Melanie said. 

“Jack out of nowhere announces like somebody on a loudspeaker, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Jack and The Bean, will be closing in 15 minutes,’” Adkins said. “He has done it every week since.”

EXPANDING WORLDS THROUGH WORK

For many of the baristas, Jack and The Bean represents their first job. The impact goes far beyond job skills, Adkins said. 

“It stretches them and it expands their world,” she said. “After high school is over, for a lot of individuals like Jack, their world can really shrink. Opening up their world where they are meeting new people and having to engage in conversation is a really big deal.”

That visibility extends into the broader community, Adkins said. “Everybody knows their name,” she said. “When we do the parade for Autumn Fest, people are calling their name from the side of the street.”

COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Customer responses to Jack and The Bean have been overwhelmingly positive, Adkins said. 

“Sometimes you can see it on their face, and they’re like ‘Oh, this is a different kind of coffee shop,’” said Adkins. “But it’s just been amazing and everybody’s support has been amazing.” Some customers have even become weekly regulars, she added. 

“We have a large group of people that just come and see us every Wednesday,” she said. “They love to spend time and watch our guys grow and learn more about them." Moments like those confirm the larger purpose behind the coffee shop, Adkins said. 

“It’s not just coffee, it is a community. It’s skill-building and staying engaged with their community.”

A DIFFERENT PRODUCT, THE SAME PURPOSE

At LeSage Water, inclusive employment is equally foundational. 

“Our mission is to employ and empower those with developmental disabilities,” Executive Director Earlene Anglin said. 

Anglin said that focus was deeply intentional. “We offer a safe, secure, comfortable, supported environment for those who may not have opportunities elsewhere,” she said. “Our employees thrive in this environment, they contribute to society and they take great pride in what they do.”

At LeSage, Anglin said employees are deeply connected to the product itself. 

“We have a superior product, one that we all need to survive. Our product reaches thousands of customers weekly. The water that they bottle has won many awards and accolades. It consistently places at the Berkley Springs International Water Tasting Competition.”

The result is a strong sense of purpose, with LeSage employees striving to reach as many people as possible and share the product with everyone. 

INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT AS COMMUNITY STRENGTH

For LeSage Water, Anglin said inclusive employment strengthens everyone. 

“Everyone needs to have a sense of self worth,” she said. “We all deserve an opportunity to thrive in a safe environment regardless of ability. We are especially skilled at adaptation and accommodation.” Customers have responded with long-term loyalty, some exclusively drinking Lesage for over 30 years, Anglin said. 

“Those who have never heard of our mission are quick to jump on board and support us when they learn of what we do,” she said. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTER

For Anglin, some of the most meaningful moments have been deeply personal, she said. 

“Watching my son win employee of the year last year was an amazing moment,” she said. “This process is done solely by peer vote and selection.” Others, she said, are lighter but no less impactful. 

“Our employees love music and take turns picking a genre,” said Anglin. “Every time I am at the plant and 80s music is playing, I go into the water filling room and dance.” That carefree but structured workplace environment is intentional, she added. 

“We have a lot of fun in the work place and plan special lunches and events for our employees,” said Anglin. “We are like a big happy family.”

LOOKING AHEAD

LeSage remains focused on growth and sustainability in the new year, Anglin said. 

“Our goal is to continue to grow and offer even more jobs to those with disabilities,” she said. “We have a couple of surprise ventures coming in 2026!” LeSage also plans to address long-term needs beyond employment.

“We are working to renovate two residence halls on our campus to house those with disabilities,” said Anglin. 

SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE BUSINESSES

Both Jack and The Bean and LeSage Water thrive on the support of the community.  The best way? Customers should come and see it for themselves, Adkins said. 

“Come and see us, get a cup of coffee and experience it,” she said. Anglin said she echoes that sentiment.

“We encourage all Chamber and community members to come out for a tour of the facility and see what we do first hand.”

In different ways, both Jack and The Bean and LeSage Water are proving that inclusive employment is a vital aspect of community investment. In doing so, they are changing not only the lives of their employees, but the expectations of what inclusive workplaces can be. 

To learn more about Jack and The Bean, visit https://jack-and-the-bean.com/.

To learn more about Lesage Water, visit https://www.lesagewater.com/.