The restaurant that hires employees with Down syndrome

Romar Fernando

September 14, 2018

• The idea was that people with Down syndrome are happy and would bring customers much happiness as well.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  There is a restaurant in Rome, Italy which is being run by people with Down Syndrome. They call it “La Locanda die Girasoli” or “The Sunflower Inn” located in Via del Sulpici, southeast of Rome.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  La Locanda die Girasoli is a restaurant and pizza house that offers Italian cuisine and those serving the customers are the social and working inclusion of youth with Down syndrome, Williams Syndrome and various genetic conditions.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  La Locanda die Girasoli restaurant is primarily serving Italian foods such as Sottobosco, Tonnarelli. They are also offering pasta, pizzas, gourmet sandwiches, salads, chicken dishes and side dishes such as baked potatoes and grilled vegetables.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  It was started in the year 2000, when the parents of a teenager with Down Syndrome wanted to open a restaurant within the city of Rome. The primary goal of this venture is to employ and empower people with the same condition as their child.

  The restaurant is called “Sunflower Inn” because, according to them, sunflower represents happiness. People with Down Syndrome is said to be happy individuals and will surely bring happiness as well.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  Because of the cause and one of its kind endeavors in Italy, it swiftly become a local and national phenomenon and got the attention of the international press.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  The Global Down Syndrome Foundation called this as “a purpose in life” for the restaurant provides them with a work contract and the goal is to employ them for the long term. These differently-abled people are members of cooperative that helps them in numerous ways.

  The restaurant requires the employees to be 18 years old and above, having some intellectual or genetic disability, having a lower secondary school diploma, must be unemployed, and have received a certification of eligibility from the Italian government. Almost all of employees started as interns and trainees and has completed an accumulated 600 hours of training and practical exercises.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  Different from a regular term of employment, Enzo Rimicci, the president of the Sintesi Cooperative, says all positions at the La Locanda die Girasoli are paid, including interns. this is to ensure that they are provided with financial security and autonomy.

  One great thing to consider about the restaurant and the cooperative as well, is the idea that they don’t receive any financial aid from the Italian government. They are self-sufficient. The main source of revenue is their catering service on private events, sporting events and collaborations with other restaurants.

  

  Photo Credit: La Locanda die Girasoli Facebook

  As of this moment, all the restaurant’s employees are consisting of 13 people which includes eight differently-abled people, five of which having Down Syndrome, working as sous, assistants and chefs. They all agrees that their job is a world of teamwork and family life.

  This time, they consider opening a new restaurant in Southern Italy. “We never stop! We have not yet managed to realize the dream of opening a second restaurant in southern Italy. It’s a big economic investment for our pockets today, but we’re sure that will come true tomorrow!” Rimicci said.

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