On October 29, 2026, the Santa Cruz County Employment Services Committee presented Skills of Life Café ® with a Certificate of Recognition “for outstanding business leadership in employing people with disabilities in our community.” The award came at the close of October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

The certificate carries a line we couldn’t have put better ourselves: “Talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t.” That gap is the reason SOL Café exists. Every shift at our café trailer at Simpkins Swim Center gives our interns real work experience. They greet customers, run the register, pull espresso shots and prep food, and along the way they build the communication, teamwork and time-management skills that carry into jobs across Santa Cruz County.

This award belongs to our interns, who show up every week ready to learn. It also belongs to the volunteers, families, donors and customers who keep the café running. Thank you!