Divergent Inclusive Representation Transforms

Every Ability. Every Opportunity.

DIRT Coffee Bar Intern Spotlight featuring Jacob.

This Colorado Gives Day, we need your help to protect what we’ve built.

In November, 95% of the individuals in our programs lost their funding through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the state department that provides direct support for people with disabilities to access job training and employment programs. Because of statewide cost-saving measures and limited federal funds, DVR has paused nearly all approvals and will soon place people on an 18–24 month waitlist to receive services.

For the people we serve, this isn’t just a funding change. It’s the loss of opportunity, progress, and stability.

DIRT Coffee has always believed that work is more than a paycheck. It’s purpose, connection, and belonging. Every day, neurodivergent and disabled individuals show up ready to learn, to contribute, and to be part of their community. 

Your support helps fill a $20,000 gap to keep DIRT’s paid internships, job coaching, and workforce workshops running through the end of the year and to start next year's cohort strong with no interruptions. Together, we can make sure that training, employment, and dignity continue, even when funding doesn't. 

Why DIRT?

DIRT (Divergent Inclusive Representation TransformDIRT Coffee Bar Graduation collage.s) cultivates intentional workspaces where neurodivergent individuals can gain meaningful, integrated, and equitable employment.

What began in 2013 as a mobile coffee truck has grown into two brick-and-mortar programming sites across the Denver Metro area — both operating as inclusive training grounds and employment hubs. Our vision is to reduce underemployment in the neurodivergent community by empowering individuals and transforming workplace culture.

• 11 Years of Impact: From our coffee shops, community workshops, and DIRT on the Road program, over 1,200 people have been served in 2024 alone.

• Real Work, Real Pay: Interns gain transferable job skills and paid experience in a supportive, neurodiverse environment.

• Community Change: We train employers to recognize and remove barriers to inclusive hiring practices.

Your donation helps us keep the doors open for the people who are working hard to build independence, stability, and self-worth through employment that strengthens both our economy and the kind of world we want to live in.

Testimonials

DIRT Coffee Bar Intern Spotlight featuring Mary.Summer Intern 2021: "A lot of the learning comes on the job. I took the first step, which is starting the internship. The most important thing I learned, if you are scared to try something like this - you should do it anyway. It will be worth it! I’d tell them that they should just go for it! I was a little bit worried that the coaching would be for people more impacted, but it still helped me. Don’t be afraid to say things and advocate for yourself!"

"...Jake's self confidence has skyrocketed since beginning the internship. He was on cloud 9 last night after completing the food handling training. He even let me take him out to dinner. Jake doesn't leave the house much so it was awesome that he went because he wanted to not as a compromise. Thank you all so much for helping him see himself as a capable employee. It's definitely spilling over into his daily life in a positive way." - Parent of IEP Graduate

"You know when you get that feeling that the place you're at is right for you, like you're right where you want to be? That's how I feel about DIRT. When I'm here it just feels right for me. I get an experience but I also get to be myself." - Austin Program Graduate and Dirt employee