Karen Monroy of Flemington donated her $25,000 award to Ability 2 Work. As her son Zachary prepared to graduate in 2013 from a special education school in Branchburg, Karen was unsure about her son’s future. She understood that life after age 21 is challenging for a differently-abled person. Karen began researching possibilities and became disheartened at the few programs available. She worked with her son to create a vision board, filled with the things he hoped to accomplish. The topic of food was recurring so she thought, what if she designed a food business to serve as a place where talented people could work and employ developmentally disabled individuals at the same time? Her vision became Ability2Work, a non-profit that operates Grateful Bites bakery and café, a convergence of chefs who are looking to change the world of food, parents who want an opportunity for their differently-abled children, and a community that supports the cause. The team is trained by the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America. who are shadowed by paraprofessionals to help them learn life skills and enjoy themselves. For four years in a row, the Star-Ledger named them a Top 20 Bakery in New Jersey.

Ability2Work provides supportive employment opportunities for differently-abled young people transitioning out of school. The organization also leads programs at local schools to build awareness. Grateful Bites is a café and catering business led by trained culinary experts and volunteers who mentor differently-abled employees. Net proceeds from Grateful Bites support Ability2Work and its programs.