Lenea DeTore ’21 is turning a long-held dream into reality with the launch of The Caring Cup – a non-profit coffee shop created to provide meaningful employment for adults with disabilities. 

As an Elizabethtown College Occupational Therapy (OT) alumna and practicing pediatric occupational therapist, Detore witnessed firsthand the limited opportunities available to adults with disabilities once they aged out of school-based services. The Caring Cup aims to close that gap. 

“I’ve always dreamed of starting a coffee shop for adults with disabilities, but never knew where to start,” DeTore said. “My career as an Occupational Therapist only heightened that drive.” 

The idea began to take shape three years ago when DeTore was approached about a piece of land in Intercourse, Pa., near The Clinic for Special Children and The Community Care Center. The location quickly evolved into a developing campus for children and adults with disabilities. With interest from the Community Care Center’s adult day program in partnering, the vision for The Caring Cup started to grow.

From there, DeTore connected with architects eager to work with nonprofits, a local coffee roaster interested in collaboration, and generous donors who helped jumpstart the effort.

“There were even people approaching me in the community telling me of a sister, uncle, or relative with a disability who would love an opportunity like this,” DeTore said. “This was when I knew I had the community support.”

That support was on full display this past spring. The Caring Cup’s first major fundraiser welcomed over 600 attendees, triple the expected turnout, raising nearly $80,000 and well surpassing their original goal of $30,000. DeTore and her partners are now beginning the permitting process with hopes to open in spring 2027. 

DeTore traces her passion for leadership back to her days as an undergraduate at Etown, where she served as Class Vice President, Peer Mentor, and captain of the Women’s Tennis team. Now a student in Etown’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies, she’s come full circle by returning to her alma mater to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and further deepen her impact through service-driven leadership.

“As an occupational therapist, I am aware of the behaviors and challenges involved in employing adults with disabilities, however, I am not as familiar with the business concepts,” DeTore said. “The certification in non-profit leadership can teach me the business and finance side of this adventure that I am not as familiar with, such as grant writing, scheduling, and budgeting.”

DeTore is excited to use her Etown education and skills to create an environment at the coffee shop that provides opportunities for all employees to be successful.

“Our mission is that everyone is capable of living a life full of purpose, talent, and integration within society if given the chance and the tools to succeed,” DeTore said.

Follow along with the Caring Cup’s progress on their Instagram page.