Capper Foundation acquiring Dialogue Coffee Shop expanding its job training program for adults with disabilities

Dialogue Coffee House, a local coffee house located at 4009 S.W. 29th Street in Topeka, Kansas, will be joining Capper Foundation’s job training and employment program for adults with disabilities on April 3, 2023.

This local favorite breakfast and lunch stop aligns with Capper’s mission and will allow the organization to support more individuals in the community with career training and opportunities to be valued, enjoy access and independence to advance their hopes and dreams. The acquisition of Dialogue will not interrupt its existing model or staffing, and is expected to enhance both Dialogue and Capper’s programming to support individuals with disabilities working in community settings.

Caitlyn Halsey, founder of Dialogue Coffee House on April 18, 2019, will join Capper Foundation’s staff serving as the organization’s first Employment Services Director, continuing to provide leadership and oversight of Dialogue. Halsey’s other responsibility will be to oversee Capper Foundation’s employment services program through developing relationships and effectively planning, organizing and directing all aspects of the program to help provide employment readiness for adults with disabilities. The current Dialogue staff will remain working at Dialogue serving the public with welcoming smiles.

Zach Ahrens, President & CEO of Capper Foundation shared, “Coffee, Capper and friends make a perfect blend! Caitlyn’s passion for creating employment opportunities, mentoring and friendship to individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability is in perfect alignment with Capper’s vision that every person is valued and enjoys access, independence and opportunities to advance their hopes and dreams. Dialogue’s staff is incredible! They serve excellent coffee and baked goods with a smile that blesses your entire day.”

The inspiration for the name Dialogue references the way we communicate with one another. While for some people that is by verbal exchanges, for others it may be sign language or even body language cues. Dialogue Coffee House has an employee base of 15 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, giving everyone a place to be part of the conversation, without the definition of one's abilities – a culture where we are all equal.

“I am beyond excited for my team to join the Capper Foundation.” Caitlyn Halsey, owner of Dialogue, stated. “We can assure you that we will continue to serve you the same coffee, cookies and other many treats with the same team you have come to know and love! We see great value in this partnership to create even greater opportunities for the adults in our community living with disabilities. Together we will advance both of our missions further. “

Capper Foundation’s Mission is to build abilities and empower people of all ages living with disabilities. Dialogue Coffee House’s Mission is to create change in everyday pace of life in a diverse culture, celebrating individuals of ALL abilities.

For more information, contact:

Zach Ahrens, President & CEO                 or                         Edie Smith, VP Development & Marketing
Capper Foundation                                                                  Capper Foundation
3500 SW 10th Ave.                                                                    3500 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66604                                                                     Topeka, KS  66604
PH: 785.272.4060 / mobile 785.506.7114                           PH: 785.272.4060 / mobile 785.478.3580
zahrens@capper.org                                                               esmith@capper.org