The Kansas City area will soon welcome a fun new ice cream shop, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a franchise that is “on a relentless pursuit to create jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” (IDD) Come celebrate the Grand Opening on May 16 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 921 NE Woods Chapel Road in Lee’s Summit to enjoy a unique blend of delicious treats and a powerful mission.
Howdy Homemade is brought to Kansas City by TNC Community, a local nonprofit that provides customized support services to individuals with IDD. CEO Kelly McGillis said, “TNC Community is committed to helping people with disabilities prepare for and succeed in employment, so they can pursue meaningful careers and develop transferrable job skills through the wildly successful Howdy Homemade Ice Cream franchise.”
Everyone deserves the chance to thrive in the workplace, but opportunities are severely limited for individuals with IDD. Across all age groups, people with disabilities are much less likely to be employed than those without disabilities. For those who are employed, the earnings gap is astonishing. Many individuals with IDD are willing, able, and wanting to work. While evidence shows that supported employment intervention enables individuals with IDD to get and keep jobs, national integrated employment rates remain unfortunately low.
TNC Community is making a difference through Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, which began hiring Heroes for the Lee’s Summit shop in April. They receive customized training and support to learn job skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential. The team is excited about opportunities to make and scoop ice cream, serve customers, go into the community for catering, and host special events in the shop’s party room.
Howdy Homemade’s signature flavors include Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip, Cookie Nom’ster, Chocolate as All Get Out, Strawberry Milkshake, Birthday Cake, and a host of other delicious homemade recipes.
Bringing Howdy Homemade to our area is a labor of love for TNC Community in alignment with our mission to “champion equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities, inspiring lives of dignity, belonging, and joy.” With 76 years of experience providing customized services to people with IDD, we are uniquely positioned to pave the way for meaningful employment with equitable pay. “Howdy Homemade Ice Cream will help us create a more inclusive community that celebrates the gifts and contributions of people of all abilities,” said McGillis.
