Not your Average Joe
Coffee with a Purpose
If you’ve been to the Midtown location of Not Your Average Joe, chances are you have been greeted by Danielle Robinson. “I love meeting new people.” says Danielle, the face of the organization and an inventory specialist.
Not Your Average Joe is a non-profit whose mission is to inspire our community by including adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the creation of exceptional coffee in an encouraging atmosphere. “We created our own word here, it’s called ‘acceptional’... acceptional means to include people of all abilities.” says Tim Herbel, the Executive Director of Not Your Average Joe.
Adults with disabilities have an eighty percent unemployment rate. “We exist to fight that statistic,” says Tim. Not Your Average Joe employs twenty-seven adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and hopes to have forty people employed by the end of 2021. Tim says, “Employment is great but meaningful employment is even better.” Part of providing a supportive atmosphere is having a coordinator of special needs on staff as well as a certified behavioral therapist. They do individual work plans, work with guardians and professionals on the team and staff, and self-advocate to come up with an integrative way to work together.
“We have four SCA certified Master Roasters,” says Tim, including possibly the only female SCA certified Master Roaster in the state. With high-level coffee knowledge, Not Your Average Joe strives to be educational rather than pretentious with their coffee.
Although primarily known as a coffee shop, they are also very proud of their food offerings. Tim says, “Most people don’t realize the food we have here.” Customers can choose from a variety of options including an Elvis inspired favorite called the Suspicious Sandwich and Danielle’s favorite, the Chorizo Burrito. They also have unique homemade ice cream options like Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip.
“We have craft beer and wine and we are going to get into the iced tea world. We are going to take it up a notch,” says Tim. This includes a huckleberry flavored tea at their new location in Homeland on Northeast 36th and Lincoln. The team hopes to continue gaining the community’s support not just in patronage but also in providing opportunities for adults with disabilities.
Not Your Average Joe, 1227 North Walker, Oklahoma City; (405) 265-5733; nyaj.coffee
