Housatonic, MA - On Saturday, April 12 from 11am to 3pm at 226 Pleasant Street in Housatonic, MA, ExtraSpecialTeas will celebrate its ninth birthday of providing vocational services to special needs adults offered through two teahouse locations: 2 Elm Street in Great Barrington and in Housatonic. ExtraSpecialTeas supports, trains, and empowers young adults with diverse learning differences, such as autism, Down Syndrome and sight/hearing impairment, to learn, work and thrive in the Berkshires.
To quote Dan, a veteran ExtraSpecialTeas (EST) Server, "EST has helped me be all I can be!"
Originally, EST was created to provide vocational services to those with special needs 22 and over. However, in 2022, EST also began offering services to local high schools to provide transition training to students ages 17-22 years of age, so they are ready to join the working world when public education is no longer an option. ExtraSpecialTeas offers opportunities for all participants to cultivate community and provides a place to grow essential skills and find purpose in a work setting.
April 1st is World Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month so it's the perfect time for a spring celebration! The Blue Party (blue is for autism awareness, understanding and acceptance) will run from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 12 at 226 Pleasant Street in Housatonic, MA. All community members are invited to wear blue, post party pictures to their social media (tag @extraspecialteas #lightitupblue #brewbelonging) and come into the teahouse to sample an "ExtraSpecial" brew of our signature blue tea named "Blue Skies," and sample gluten-free brownie bites made by ExtraSpecial Servers and staff. Hot, iced and bubble teas are always available for purchase!
The day's schedule includes face painting, live music (Berkshire Bateria at 2), and dancing!
ExtraSpecialTeas is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our vocational day program is supported in part by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, grants from foundations, and contributions from committed donors.
Both community teahouses are open Monday-Friday from 10-4 pm each week and serve hot, iced and bubble teas and gluten-free treats made by the participants and staff at our commercial kitchen in Housatonic. ExtraSpecialTeas Housatonic is now serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea (through our vocational food prep program). For more information, check out our website at: www.extraspecialteas.org. Follow ExtraSpecialTeas on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky: @extraspecialteas
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