

A small cafe with a big mission!
Inclusion. Jobs. Dignity.
At Rise Up Cafe, we provide secure, successful jobs which in turn help our employees form meaningful friendships with their peers; live independently; improve their public speaking, develop self-advocacy and communication skills; and feel valued and included by society. We celebrate and honor their special abilities!
It's an Inclusion Revolution!
Integrated employment,
front and center
For too long, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been kept in the shadows. Rise Up Cafe is about inclusion, acceptance and opportunity for all. Visit us in our awesome flagship shop, right in the middle of downtown Sarasota, Florida.
Dignity and Respect


Great coffee, ice cream, and food in an inspiring environment
Slow down, enjoy delicious coffee, breakfast sandwiches, gourmet ice cream, yummy lunches, and indulgent treats while you spend time with our amazing Rise Up Cafe team members.


Join Rise Up Cafe
in the
Inclusion Revolution
It took a vision and a village to establish and cultivate our coffee and ice cream shop, Rise Up Cafe. Many thanks to our generous partners.
- Jobs
- Dignity
- Respect
- Acceptance
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Beaver and his homie Wayne traveled to Washington DC today to meet with Shawn Ferguson, Vice President, Govt. Relations & Chief of Staff, Chairman’s Office for Special Olympics International regarding funding and partnership opportunities for Inclusion Revolution, our supporting nonprofit. Wayne Ruben, one of Rise Up Cafe’s biggest fans (for real!) ❤️🤘🏼, traveled with Beaver for the meeting. Lots of exciting new programs to come! This is amazeballs! Bring it!
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#letsgrow #specialolympics #sarasota #riseup
@mariashriver @timothyshriver @anthonykshriver @specialolympicsfl @specialolympics

Beaver and his homie Wayne traveled to Washington DC today to meet with Shawn Ferguson, Vice President, Govt. Relations & Chief of Staff, Chairman’s Office for Special Olympics International regarding funding and partnership opportunities for Inclusion Revolution, our supporting nonprofit. Wayne Ruben, one of Rise Up Cafe’s biggest fans (for real!) ❤️🤘🏼, traveled with Beaver for the meeting. Lots of exciting new programs to come! This is amazeballs! Bring it!
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#letsgrow #specialolympics #sarasota #riseup
@mariashriver @timothyshriver @anthonykshriver @specialolympicsfl @specialolympics
Always brightening up the places that he and Theresa visit with big smiles and bigger hearts. @yoursarasotarealtor and his lovely wife Theresa spent their Sunday morning volunteering their time at Rise Up Cafe to also brighten up our paint job! Thank you to all of our community volunteers for helping us gear up to reopen. It absolutely does take a village! We appreciate you!
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#sarasota #volunteer #riseup #onwardandupward #brightandbold #ittakesavillage

Always brightening up the places that he and Theresa visit with big smiles and bigger hearts. @yoursarasotarealtor and his lovely wife Theresa spent their Sunday morning volunteering their time at Rise Up Cafe to also brighten up our paint job! Thank you to all of our community volunteers for helping us gear up to reopen. It absolutely does take a village! We appreciate you!
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#sarasota #volunteer #riseup #onwardandupward #brightandbold #ittakesavillage
Maxine (our ice cream tricycle), Morgan, Vaughn and Beaver love providing sweet treats for special events like this one at @sarasotaopera! Thanks for having us! Interested in having us bring our artisan ice cream to your next event, check out our events page on our website or stop in when we reopen for more information! See you soon!

Maxine (our ice cream tricycle), Morgan, Vaughn and Beaver love providing sweet treats for special events like this one at @sarasotaopera! Thanks for having us! Interested in having us bring our artisan ice cream to your next event, check out our events page on our website or stop in when we reopen for more information! See you soon!
Who doesn’t love a lil ZING! ⭐️ House made “Pickled Stuff” on the side for your Grilled Waffle Three Cheese, Sous Vide Tarragon Chicken Salad and Plant Based Vegan “Tuna Salad”! Um, FANCY! The team is ready to get back to work - see you October 10th for our grand re-opening!
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#pickledstuff #sammiesides #sarasota #sarasotacafe #diversityincludesdisability

Who doesn’t love a lil ZING! ⭐️ House made “Pickled Stuff” on the side for your Grilled Waffle Three Cheese, Sous Vide Tarragon Chicken Salad and Plant Based Vegan “Tuna Salad”! Um, FANCY! The team is ready to get back to work - see you October 10th for our grand re-opening!
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#pickledstuff #sammiesides #sarasota #sarasotacafe #diversityincludesdisability
Meat stick ice cream. 🤔
Here, Dylan is explaining to me that he wants to make a 🎄Christmas 🎄themed ice cream flavor called “Fa La La La La” for the upcoming holiday season and he creativity thought that a Slim Jim would be a good option for the trunk. What do you think about this ice cream flavor challenge???? 🍖 I bet we can make something happen because our shop does magical things! Tell us how you’d help Dylan make his dream ice cream happen in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️⬇️
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#icecreamchallenge #themayor #sarasota #meettheteam #autismacceptance #diversityincludesdisabilities #magic #sarasotaflorida #cafelife #lifeofanartist

Meat stick ice cream. 🤔
Here, Dylan is explaining to me that he wants to make a 🎄Christmas 🎄themed ice cream flavor called “Fa La La La La” for the upcoming holiday season and he creativity thought that a Slim Jim would be a good option for the trunk. What do you think about this ice cream flavor challenge???? 🍖 I bet we can make something happen because our shop does magical things! Tell us how you’d help Dylan make his dream ice cream happen in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️⬇️
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#icecreamchallenge #themayor #sarasota #meettheteam #autismacceptance #diversityincludesdisabilities #magic #sarasotaflorida #cafelife #lifeofanartist
“This summer I did my very first gravel bike race in Nebraska. I rode my bike 31 miles on muddy gravel roads with the Adventure for All team. I felt great after the race because I trained so hard. I also did a 20-mile gravel bike race in Idaho, and I went rock climbing in Colorado.”
Meet Joey.
Joey has been taking piano lessons for the past 8 years. His favorite song to play is “Lean on Me”. - that’s a perfect song bud!! We all need someone to lean on at times. ❤️
“I love working at Rise Up Café. I am proud of myself. I enjoy meeting new people, making beignets, coffee, and scooping ice cream. I’m also an assistant coach at @nxtgeneration_wellness and @adventureforallfund . I enjoy helping the athletes get fit and learn new activities.” (We’ve all heard about your athletic accomplishments, maybe you can help start a fitness program at Rise Up for the team!) 🏋️♀️ 🏃♀️
I got my best haircut from @erin_shriver_srq , owner of Rise Up Cafe 😜. I looked super fresh! (Sorry Joey, I hung up my clippers to come work with YOU!!) it’s more fun at Rise Up Cafe!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You’ve accomplished so much! What do you want to learn how to do next Joey?
“I want to learn how to use the cash register at work. That would be very cool.”
One of Joey’s happiest memories is winning a gold medal in tennis at the @specialolympics state games. So many talents! 🏅 🏅🏅🏅🏅
Joey’s favorite song? “Big Time Rush” by the band @bigtimerush.
Joey tells us that his favorite foods are pepperoni pizza 🍕 🍕🍕and cheesy bread. I do not like nuts, they are too crunchy. 🥜
Our very own fitness superstar and the rest of the gang look forward to seeing you very soon at Rise Up! Stop in and get some fitness and sports tips from this outdoor enthusiast! 🚲 🚲🚲
#diversityincludesdisabilities #riseup #sarasota #meettheteam #fitness #adventureforall #florida #specialolympics
@mariashriver @anthonykshriver @timothyshriver @shrivergroup

“This summer I did my very first gravel bike race in Nebraska. I rode my bike 31 miles on muddy gravel roads with the Adventure for All team. I felt great after the race because I trained so hard. I also did a 20-mile gravel bike race in Idaho, and I went rock climbing in Colorado.”
Meet Joey.
Joey has been taking piano lessons for the past 8 years. His favorite song to play is “Lean on Me”. - that’s a perfect song bud!! We all need someone to lean on at times. ❤️
“I love working at Rise Up Café. I am proud of myself. I enjoy meeting new people, making beignets, coffee, and scooping ice cream. I’m also an assistant coach at @nxtgeneration_wellness and @adventureforallfund . I enjoy helping the athletes get fit and learn new activities.” (We’ve all heard about your athletic accomplishments, maybe you can help start a fitness program at Rise Up for the team!) 🏋️♀️ 🏃♀️
I got my best haircut from @erin_shriver_srq , owner of Rise Up Cafe 😜. I looked super fresh! (Sorry Joey, I hung up my clippers to come work with YOU!!) it’s more fun at Rise Up Cafe!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You’ve accomplished so much! What do you want to learn how to do next Joey?
“I want to learn how to use the cash register at work. That would be very cool.”
One of Joey’s happiest memories is winning a gold medal in tennis at the @specialolympics state games. So many talents! 🏅 🏅🏅🏅🏅
Joey’s favorite song? “Big Time Rush” by the band @bigtimerush.
Joey tells us that his favorite foods are pepperoni pizza 🍕 🍕🍕and cheesy bread. I do not like nuts, they are too crunchy. 🥜
Our very own fitness superstar and the rest of the gang look forward to seeing you very soon at Rise Up! Stop in and get some fitness and sports tips from this outdoor enthusiast! 🚲 🚲🚲
#diversityincludesdisabilities #riseup #sarasota #meettheteam #fitness #adventureforall #florida #specialolympics
@mariashriver @anthonykshriver @timothyshriver @shrivergroup
Todays training is covering everything from cappuccinos to (UGH!) Dish washing but it’s all part of the job!
Day 1 of re-training with the gang! Amanda, Kristi, Kelley, Joey and Mary can’t wait to see you all soon! Save the date - October 10th!
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#diversityincludesdisability #team #coffeeshopvibes #leadershipinaction #riseup

Todays training is covering everything from cappuccinos to (UGH!) Dish washing but it’s all part of the job!
Day 1 of re-training with the gang! Amanda, Kristi, Kelley, Joey and Mary can’t wait to see you all soon! Save the date - October 10th!
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#diversityincludesdisability #team #coffeeshopvibes #leadershipinaction #riseup
With our new grab and go breakfast (or anytime!) items you can get your autumn fix in Florida (hello cooler temps! 😅) with our new seasonal “Pumpkin Spice Girl” (blended) Chia Pudding! Miss Ava will be in charge of making this Fall treat filled with nutritious chia, real organic pumpkin, oat milk, real maple syrup for a touch of sweetness and layered with vanilla oat milk yogurt and a touch of perfectly blended pumpkin spice. Each comes with an organic grain free granola topper too! You wanted dairy free, you wanted vegan, you wanted gluten free options Sarasota and we listened! More flavors to be announced soon along with one that’ll be capable of fulfilling your breakfast AND caffeine needs on your morning commute! Stay tuned! It’s almost time to reopen - October 10 - see you at Rise Up Cafe!
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#diversityincludesdisability #avaftw #chiapudding #sarasota #glutenfreerecipes #vegan #oatmilk #hangry #florida #dairyfreelife

With our new grab and go breakfast (or anytime!) items you can get your autumn fix in Florida (hello cooler temps! 😅) with our new seasonal “Pumpkin Spice Girl” (blended) Chia Pudding! Miss Ava will be in charge of making this Fall treat filled with nutritious chia, real organic pumpkin, oat milk, real maple syrup for a touch of sweetness and layered with vanilla oat milk yogurt and a touch of perfectly blended pumpkin spice. Each comes with an organic grain free granola topper too! You wanted dairy free, you wanted vegan, you wanted gluten free options Sarasota and we listened! More flavors to be announced soon along with one that’ll be capable of fulfilling your breakfast AND caffeine needs on your morning commute! Stay tuned! It’s almost time to reopen - October 10 - see you at Rise Up Cafe!
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#diversityincludesdisability #avaftw #chiapudding #sarasota #glutenfreerecipes #vegan #oatmilk #hangry #florida #dairyfreelife