Training and Employment for Individuals with Cognitive or Physical Disabilities

Positive Vibe Café was founded in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the Positive Vibe Foundation (formerly the Get Lost MD Foundation). Unchanged today, the Café provides hands-on training and meaningful employment in food services to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.



Max's Positive Vibe Café has trained and graduated over 900 students, most of them are now gainfully employed. The training program aims to prepare students for the work world and includes basic food service skills; is hands-on, builds self-confidence and readies students for real-world employment. Graduates of our training program also acquire skills in cleaning and sanitizing, proper use of kitchen utensils, food safety, commercial dishwashing, communication in a workplace, interviewing, and job seeking. The program typically lasts four weeks and culminates with a graduation ceremony. Each graduate, in the end, is prepared for job seeking, interviewing and working in the foodservice industry.



Several area chefs, food service consultants, physical and occupational therapists have collaborated to formulate an effective training curriculum.  The 4-week food-service training program is offered on a scholarship basis to individuals with disabilities.  The training covers skills such as busing tables, customer service, dishwashing, cleaning, knife skills/basic food prep and workplace communication.  Time is also spent working on job and resume skills.