CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1496146
CityViewNC.com | 15 A well of compassion Molnar is a licensed speech pathologist and former speech therapist for Cumberland County Schools. Her journey helping people with special needs began the moment her son Miller was born in 2003. Miller was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. According to Molnar, Miller has taught his family just as much about life as they have taught him. Molnar says aer Miller was born, she realized there was a lack of vocational training resources in Fayetteville for people with special needs. Correcting that for an oen marginalized group of people has become her passion. Her research and planning outlined three phases, the first of which was to establish high school training labs. Currently, Miller's Crew operates 10 in-school cafes in area high schools where students work. Phase 2 included a working food truck to provide mobile, hands-on training in food prep and communicating with customers. "During Phase 2, we had so many families contacting us, we didn't have room on the truck," she says. Phase 3 was to open a brick-and-mortar business that would provide vocational training. Molnar says she knew it was time for the final phase when she didn't have enough space on the food truck to accommodate all those who needed help. "Now we have three crew members back there. We're able to fit more crew members in on a daily basis in three-hour shis, five days a week." Once the crew members gain experience and are ready for other employment, she helps them find a job with her community partners. "We train our crew members for employability and to either stay here or move on to the line of work they want to be a part of." Molnar says the Haymount shop offers a consistent location and job stability that the food truck could not provide. On a larger scale, Molnar's work for those with special needs has provided young people who lacked opportunity a newfound dignity and ownership of their future, she says. Opposite, Caitling Erben, 22, prepares cups while training at Miller's Brew. 910- 484-7161 611 West Russell Street Downtown Fayetteville www.homemakersfurniturenc.com HOMEMAKERS FURNITURE & INTERIORS Since 1945 Accepting selective pieces, including: Craftique Henredon Hickory Chair Henkel Harris Pennsylvania House Stickley High End Consignment Furniture