Our Mission
Will’s Place is a nonprofit cafe dedicated to creating meaningful employment and vocational training opportunities for adults with disabilities, fostering an inclusive and empowering workplace for our team members.
Will’s Place is more than just a sandwich shop—it is a movement toward a more equitable workforce. Our mission is to:
Provide comprehensive job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.
Educate the community about inclusivity and the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Foster an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Impact
With a structured job training program and a personalized teaching approach, we meet our employees where they are to equip them with essential skills in customer service, food preparation, and workplace communication. Our program offers:
Hands-on experience in a real-world setting.
Mentorship from experienced professionals.
Personalized career coaching to support long-term employment goals.
Beyond the direct impact on our employees, Will’s Place serves as a community hub that promotes social interaction, awareness, and advocacy for disability inclusion.
Our Story
Will’s Place was founded by sisters Joan Hallagan and Cathy Maassen in 2022.
Twenty-one years ago, Joan was standing in line for a doctor's appointment in Vietnam to get her new son's Visa when the doctor whispered she believed there were medical concerns. It wasn't until months later that Joan found out that William had suffered a stroke at birth and that it had done some neurological damage. As a parent of a child with disabilities, Joan spent years managing expectations as it became clear that this world isn't always designed for children like her son. When William turned 22 and aged out of the education system, it became clear that his options were limited.
For adults with disabilities, job opportunities are often minimal. While 15% of the general population struggles with both physical and intellectual disabilities, 82% of adults with disabilities will never find a job. While most school districts offer programs for children with disabilities, adult options are limited. Most adults with disabilities age out of the public system at 22 years old.
The joy and love that William has brought into our family and our community are impossible to articulate or measure. The idea for Will’s Place was born out of a desire to give back to William the happiness he has given all of us. Once the idea was out in the world, we were moved by the amount of support and encouragement from the entire community. There are so many families in our community who want the exact same thing for their children. Everyone deserves a place to feel seen, supported, and important. That is why our community deserves Will’s Place.
Construction on Will’s Place began in October 2022. Over the course of the next seven months, our Skokie storefront was completely transformed into a commercial kitchen and restaurant space. With the help of our community and the Village of Skokie, Will’s Place raised enough funds to create a bright, joyful, state-of-the-art restaurant space.
In June of 2023, construction was completed on the space, and our team of 20 employees began training.
On July 8th, 2023 Will’s Place hosted its Grand Opening. From the moment we opened the doors, there was a line around the block. Our team served lunch to over 400 patrons. It was an incredible showing of support that was truly moving.
Will’s Place is currently open Tuesday-Saturday for a wide selection of provisions, Dark Matter Coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. To visit Will’s Place, check out our hours here!
We hope to welcome you in soon!
