OPENING FALL 2025-2026
OUR MISSION
Inspire a more inclusive community by offering vocational opportunities and activities of daily living for people with disabilities in pursuit of viable employment options
OUR STORY
We believe everyone should be able to achieve economic independence after graduation.
The best way to remove barriers and help individuals with disabilities become marketable to employers is to offer a viable pathway to employment
as they are transitioning out of high school.
as they are transitioning out of high school.
[Beth] My name is Beth Humbert, and I’m the founder of Whole Latte Love Café. The cafe is a vocational training program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have already graduated from high school. And out of that process, we’ve discovered that some of the referrals that we’re getting aren’t quite ready for our supported employment working environment. So, because of that we formed Whole Community Academy, which is a vocational grade 23 training option for high school students. When students with a disability are in school and they are on IEP supports or Individual Education Services, they are allowed to be in school until they’re 22. Typically, a student finishes Ohio academic requirements between the ages of 18 and 19 years old. So, they have a couple of years to discover what they’re interested in and explore those interests and skills and abilities, and that’s what we’re going to focus on at the Academy.
Our curriculum is coming from a very well-known organization out of Kentucky, Education Associates. Their materials are all hands-on, evidence-based materials. They’ve broken every step down. So, for those individuals that are hands-on learners this will be a great opportunity for them to explore what their interests are and examine that thoroughly in the safe space of a classroom. And then we’ll take it out further into the community where they can do informational interviews, maybe a career shadow day, maybe some volunteering, and eventually some paid internships. So, this project has obviously started. We raised some money this year with our Coffee With a Purpose benefit, but we still have a lot of work that needs to be done to complete it. Still more curriculum to purchase and staffing to hire, and if you are willing to help us get this project to the end we are always greatly appreciative of the generous donations from our community.
Promoting Inclusion One Person at a Time
Help us on our mission to provide a direct vocational pathway to community employment for students with disabilities before high school graduation takes place.
Whole CommUNITY Academy (WCA)
Providing a Grade 23 vocational option to students on IEPs before the age of 22.
The Academy strives to support, train and place people with disabilities in meaningful competitive-integrated employment before students complete high school.
Along with classroom instruction, students will explore:
- Interest assessments
- Selected interests in a variety of hands-on learning opportunities
- Job shadowing, informational interviews, volunteering, paid internships
- Portfolio building, resume composition
- Interview techniques and job search navigation
- Linked with disability-focused state organizations for sequential and continuous support
Our vision is to provide a direct vocational path to community employment.
Our Program: Project Discovery
A combination of instructional methods and hands-on strategies used in a classroom setting, Project Discovery offers learners the opportunity to explore, experience, and develop real-life insight pertaining to the necessary job skills needed for a variety of entry level positions.
Students who learn by doing will excel and enhance their exploration through practical daily living activities, while addressing social communication and workplace behaviors, as well as examining personal preferences in career exploration, and job skills training for community employment.
Introducing Project Discovery and Achieve Life Skills Curriculum
Hands-On, Evidence-Based
Career Education for ALL Students
Career Education for ALL Students
Our Career Exploration Series
Allows adult students ages 18-22, who are still eligible for an IEP, to explore a variety of careers while discovering their interests and aptitudes.
Our Adaptive Series
Including video modeling and dynamic supports, such as audio, text and role playing with multiple modes of instruction so no student is left behind.
Our Job Skills Training Series
Provides comprehensive career and technical instruction to prepare students for a specific career of their choosing. Learning is relevant to real world employment.
Students are given the opportunity to discover their career passions and interests through hands-on career kits. Students use real job tools to explore, practice and learn valuable job skills.
In Partnership with Education Associates
Nationally Recognized.
Results Driven.
Proven Results.
Results Driven.
Proven Results.
Improving test scores and achieving successful transitions are both critical outcomes that matter to dedicated educators.
Education Associates’ Project Discovery curriculum was developed by a team of nationally recognized curriculum experts and career guidance professionals as well as skilled workers in each career field. We passed a rigorous evaluation process by the U.S. Department of Education and received its validation and approval. In addition, it has been selected by the National Dropout Prevention Network as a Model Program.
Intervention Specialist Job Description
NOW HIRING! Provides instruction and support for students with special needs ranging from age 18-22. Facilitates transition instructional skills for the acquisition of daily living and vocational skills that lead to a successful transition to adult life within the community.
Student Program Application
The purpose of this application process is to determine if the student applying for the program would be an appropriate candidate for our Grade 23 transitional option. Whole CommUNITY Academy staff will take time with each student’s application to determine whether that student would be able to excel and benefit from our curriculum.
EIN #93-2476922
1306 S. Main Street
North Canton OH 44720
North Canton OH 44720
For additional questions, please send an email to academy@wholelattelovecafe.org or call 234-360-2233, ext 1314.
