No Limits Cafe To Benefit From Red Bank Theater's Giving Year

RED BANK, NJ — With each meal served, No Limits Cafe makes a difference in the lives of people with IDD and fulfills its mission to "eat well, do good."

Now, the lunch spot right over the bridge in Middletown is getting recognized for its unique role, employing and training individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to work in all aspects of the cafe.

No Limits Cafe is receiving this month's grant from the Count Basie Center for the Arts/Bank of America Giving Year program, and will receive $1 from every Count Basie Center ticket sold in May, along with tickets for the organization’s clientele and volunteers, the organizations announced recently.

This year, 12 area nonprofits are being recognized in a yearlong initiative to recognize and reward organizations for their contributions to the regional community.

No Limits Cafe provides jobs and job training to adults with IDD to help them lead fulfilling lives and to increase public awareness of their potential.

Employees serve lunch six days a week, with its workers involved in every aspect of the restaurant’s operations – from the kitchen to the front of house, the Basie Center said.

Founded in 2019, the organization recently launched a second phase in its nonprofit work – a paid, 10-week training program to help additional adults with IDD find meaningful employment in the restaurant industry.

“This partnership will help fund No Limits Cafe’s programs, and most importantly, raise awareness that the need and result of providing employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities is priceless,” said No Limits Cafe founder Stephanie Cartier.

The cafe, located at 418 Highway 35 in Middletown, was started by Middletown residents Stephanie and Mark Cartier, and was inspired by their daughter, Katie, a Middletown South alum, with Down Syndrome.

On its website, you can register for the cafe's fifth annual Golf Outing coming up on Monday, June 26.

"The job and training opportunities offered by No Limits Cafe are vital to championing development for adults with intellectual disabilities in our community,” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey.

“By filling a significant need and doing so with compassion and care, No Limits Cafe has become one of the region’s most beloved and productive nonprofit organizations,” said Jeremy Grunin, chairperson, Count Basie Center for the Arts.

“Structure, purpose and achievement are such important experiences for adults with intellectual disabilities, and No Limits provides these things in a way that not only empowers their workers but also demonstrates their ability to thrive in the community,” he said.

The Giving Year program focuses on organizations serving causes related to arts and culture, health and wellness, food insecurity, diversity, equity and inclusion, or financial management or other services to under-represented populations.

Organizations interested in consideration for the program may learn more and apply for consideration at www.thebasie.org/thegivingyear. Qualifying applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout 2023.

Organizations will be eligible to receive up to $15,000 during their month, in addition to complimentary tickets for distribution to their volunteers and/or their beneficiaries.

In January, mental health nonprofit Shore House was announced as the inaugural Giving Year recipient, receiving $15,000 from the Basie Center and its patrons. Asbury Park’s Inspire Life (February), The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide in Freehold (March) and The Sandy Hook Foundation (April) have since been recognized as monthly recipients.