Mychal's Learning Place
Editor’s note: Hill Section neighbor, Sheila Ennis, has volunteered for Mychal’s Learning Place for several years now, and her daughter, Traci Horowitz, is a Mychal’s board member.
Located in Redondo Beach lies a heartwarming haven known as Mychal’s Cafe. More than just a place to enjoy a steaming cup of coffee, a delightful homemade pastry as well as breakfast and lunch, Mychal’s Cafe embodies a mission of inclusion, empowerment, and community. This unique establishment provides job training and employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, offering them a chance to shine in a supportive and understanding environment.
The story of Mychal’s Cafe is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Mychal’s Learning Place, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Since its inception in 2002, Mychal’s Learning Place has been a beacon of hope and opportunity. Founded by Ed Lynch, inspired by his daughter Mychal, who had special needs, the organization was created to provide essential support services that were sorely lacking in the community. Over the years, Mychal’s Learning Place has grown into a multifaceted organization offering after-school programs and adult day programs comprised of social recreational opportunities, independent living skills training, and job training and placement services.
The inception of Mychal’s Cafe was a natural extension of this mission. The cafe opened its doors with the vision of creating a space where individuals with developmental disabilities could gain valuable work experience and develop practical skills in a real-world setting. Here, employees are not only taught how to brew coffee, make a breakfast burrito or panini and serve customers, but also how to handle money, manage time, and work as part of a team. The cafe provides a nurturing environment where participants receive the guidance and the support they need to succeed.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Mychal’s Cafe is the transformative impact it has on its employees. Take, for example, Caelyn, a young woman with Down syndrome who has been part of the Mychal’s family for over 15 years. Caelyn is always ready for a challenge and continues to remind us how capable and able she is. You may catch Caelyn making your sandwich or salad in her station or taking your order at the counter. Caelyn greets customers with a warm smile, expertly prepares their orders, and takes immense pride in her work. Stories like Caelyn’s are a testament to the power of opportunity and the difference it can make in someone’s life.
The welcoming atmosphere of Mychal’s Cafe extends beyond its staff to its customers. Regular patrons often speak of the unique joy they experience when visiting. “I just feel great about coming to a place where people know your name and know you and then you get served great food on top of it,” says longtime volunteer and Manhattan Beach resident, Melinda Arentsen.
In addition to the cafe, Mychal’s Learning Place has ventured into other enterprises to further its mission of providing job training and employment opportunities. Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery, located in Redondo Beach, is another shining example. This business offers custom T-shirt printing and embroidery services, providing yet another avenue for individuals with developmental disabilities to learn new skills and gain meaningful employment. Whether it’s operating the equipment, tagging, packaging and managing orders, employees at Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery receive hands-on training and experience in a professional setting.
The impact of these ventures goes beyond the individuals they employ. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and support, Mychal’s Learning Place and its social enterprises help to break down the barriers and stigmas often faced by people with developmental disabilities. They showcase the incredible potential and talent that these individuals possess, changing perceptions and inspiring other businesses to adopt similar inclusive practices.
Moreover, the success of Mychal’s Cafe and Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery underscores the importance of community support. South Bay residents have embraced these initiatives wholeheartedly, frequenting the cafe, ordering custom apparel, and spreading the word about the positive impact of these businesses. This community involvement is crucial, as it provides the financial stability needed to sustain and expand these programs.
Looking ahead, Mychal’s Learning Place has ambitious plans to further its mission. There are dreams of opening more cafes and print shops and expanding the range of vocational training programs offered. The organization is constantly exploring new opportunities to provide meaningful work and learning experiences for individuals with developmental disabilities.
In essence, Mychal’s Cafe is more than a café, and Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery is more than a t-shirt printer. They are lifelines, offering hope, dignity, and purpose to those who need it most. As customers sip their coffee or don a custom-printed T-shirt, they are not just enjoying a product or service—they are participating in a broader mission of inclusion and empowerment. Through every cup brewed and every T-shirt printed, Mychal’s Learning Place continues to make a profound difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, one opportunity at a time.
The story of Mychal’s Cafe is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Mychal’s Learning Place, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Since its inception in 2002, Mychal’s Learning Place has been a beacon of hope and opportunity. Founded by Ed Lynch, inspired by his daughter Mychal, who had special needs, the organization was created to provide essential support services that were sorely lacking in the community. Over the years, Mychal’s Learning Place has grown into a multifaceted organization offering after-school programs and adult day programs comprised of social recreational opportunities, independent living skills training, and job training and placement services.
The inception of Mychal’s Cafe was a natural extension of this mission. The cafe opened its doors with the vision of creating a space where individuals with developmental disabilities could gain valuable work experience and develop practical skills in a real-world setting. Here, employees are not only taught how to brew coffee, make a breakfast burrito or panini and serve customers, but also how to handle money, manage time, and work as part of a team. The cafe provides a nurturing environment where participants receive the guidance and the support they need to succeed.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Mychal’s Cafe is the transformative impact it has on its employees. Take, for example, Caelyn, a young woman with Down syndrome who has been part of the Mychal’s family for over 15 years. Caelyn is always ready for a challenge and continues to remind us how capable and able she is. You may catch Caelyn making your sandwich or salad in her station or taking your order at the counter. Caelyn greets customers with a warm smile, expertly prepares their orders, and takes immense pride in her work. Stories like Caelyn’s are a testament to the power of opportunity and the difference it can make in someone’s life.
The welcoming atmosphere of Mychal’s Cafe extends beyond its staff to its customers. Regular patrons often speak of the unique joy they experience when visiting. “I just feel great about coming to a place where people know your name and know you and then you get served great food on top of it,” says longtime volunteer and Manhattan Beach resident, Melinda Arentsen.
In addition to the cafe, Mychal’s Learning Place has ventured into other enterprises to further its mission of providing job training and employment opportunities. Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery, located in Redondo Beach, is another shining example. This business offers custom T-shirt printing and embroidery services, providing yet another avenue for individuals with developmental disabilities to learn new skills and gain meaningful employment. Whether it’s operating the equipment, tagging, packaging and managing orders, employees at Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery receive hands-on training and experience in a professional setting.
The impact of these ventures goes beyond the individuals they employ. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and support, Mychal’s Learning Place and its social enterprises help to break down the barriers and stigmas often faced by people with developmental disabilities. They showcase the incredible potential and talent that these individuals possess, changing perceptions and inspiring other businesses to adopt similar inclusive practices.
Moreover, the success of Mychal’s Cafe and Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery underscores the importance of community support. South Bay residents have embraced these initiatives wholeheartedly, frequenting the cafe, ordering custom apparel, and spreading the word about the positive impact of these businesses. This community involvement is crucial, as it provides the financial stability needed to sustain and expand these programs.
Looking ahead, Mychal’s Learning Place has ambitious plans to further its mission. There are dreams of opening more cafes and print shops and expanding the range of vocational training programs offered. The organization is constantly exploring new opportunities to provide meaningful work and learning experiences for individuals with developmental disabilities.
In essence, Mychal’s Cafe is more than a café, and Mychal’s Prints and Embroidery is more than a t-shirt printer. They are lifelines, offering hope, dignity, and purpose to those who need it most. As customers sip their coffee or don a custom-printed T-shirt, they are not just enjoying a product or service—they are participating in a broader mission of inclusion and empowerment. Through every cup brewed and every T-shirt printed, Mychal’s Learning Place continues to make a profound difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, one opportunity at a time.
You can support Mychal’s Café by stopping in for breakfast or lunch Wednesday – Sunday between 8AM – 2PM at 2302 Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach. Or for more details on their social enterprises, online bakery orders and more visit www.mychals.org or follow along on social media @mychalslearningplace @mychalsbakery and @mychalsprints.