Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Underwood.
Hi Jan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Each and Everyone Foundation-Jan Underwood
In 2010, I was toying with ideas for vocational job training and help for individuals with IDD. I established a non-profit, the Each and Everyone Foundation, to focus on job training, advocacy and support for adults with intellectual developmental differences. Along with the creation of Austin’s Underdawgs and Franchise, the development of The Mingus Job Accelerator was created to give others a chance to explore their passion, become gainfully employed and hopefully make a living wage within their own community. Vocational on-the-job training is paramount for Adults with Intellectual Differences whether it be Autism, Down Syndrome or those who just need extra support. We are giving them the opportunity to gain practical real-time job experience in various skill sets which can lead to job placement within the community.
All of these ideas came to fruition in Mingus, Tx. where our family owned the property…where my great grandparents and grandparents had immigrated from Italy in 1906. A place where need and legacy could collide. We have a setting where we help individuals gain skills for job placement, we have tiny homes where they stay and gain independent living skills, gardens where we grow the very things we use daily.
Beneventi’s Italian Restaurant and The Mingus Job Accelerator are the vessels for our program. Renovations on the 160 year old building began in the fall of 2019 and we opened June, 2020 at the height of a global pandemic. Through all the societal pitfalls, in five action packed years, we have managed to train 13 participants and place 6 in jobs within their own community.
Our program includes tiny homes where each participant can stay a week at a time while training.
It was exciting building this little “Mecca in Mingus”. Inside of each tiny house there is a queen size bed, bathroom with a shower, refrigerator, bar sink, flat screen tv and wifi. We have expectations for each participant which includes getting themselves ready for the work-day independently, making their bed, tidying their house, removing trash and being responsible for doing their own laundry.
The experience is not for every person with an intellectual difference, but it is a good place to see if they ARE that person. It all comes down to expectations. Focusing on what someone can or might be able to do rather than dwelling on the things one cannot do.
Surprises come daily!
Owning a restaurant was not in my plans at age 70, but I guess, neither was having a child with Down Syndrome at age 26. It all works and it works with all the hassles, headaches, trials and tribulations one can endure. It’s hard, it’s also easy, it gives me energy while leaving me exhausted at times. It’s a wonderful road to travel. I am forever grateful that I was chosen to make this journey and I took full advantage of the ticket price.
Thank you so much for letting me share our story!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We struggle daily with low customer flow due to the geographical area where our restaurant is located. In a town of 114, no one was expecting a semi fine dining experience. We cook things as fresh as possible and don’t own a fryer. Our fresh pasta is made right where the customer can see the process in our open kitchen.
Small towns are often slow to warm up to outsiders and Mingus was no different no matter how deep my roots were. Our food is authentic and an excellent representation of my family recipes. The problem is advertising the fact we exist. Mingus is located in an advertising desert. We could use signage on the interstate but we have no funding for it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We sell meals with a mission. A mission of inclusion, opportunity and experiences. Our restaurant is representative of the old days when the area we are in was a bustling city, next door to a town of 10,000 with coal mining and brick making industries. Then it died to a handful of residents. We brought life back to the main street. Having been a business owner my entire adult life and a parent of a son with Down Syndrome, it was important to me to share my knowledge and journey with folks searching for their own mission. I’m most proud of building a restaurant with great food in homage to my Italian roots. To tackle a renovation on a 160 year old building that has been closed up for 45 years was no small feat! It’s fun to tell customers the story, point out my family’s pictures and our museum shelf with relics from the buildings previous life. I know in my heart that I have made the family proud.
What matters most to you? Why?
Having raised a son with Down Syndrome and seeing what he could accomplish as an adult has driven me to help others like him.
Pricing:
- Mingus Job Accelerator(MJA) $700 per week
- MJA Participants earn pay for 32 hours a week
- Beneventi’s Italian is priced from $6-$12 for appetizers, $12-$22 entrees and $6-$8 desserts
- Sweet Loretta’s Beer, Wine & Coffee offers specialty beverages $4 to $8
- Tiny House rentals for all is $150 per night
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beneventisitalian.com
- Instagram: @beneventi1906
- Facebook: @4eeo.org
- Other: https://www.4mja.com
