New Rockland café provides opportunities for workers with autism

A new café is giving people diagnosed with autism a unique chance at working and building their resumes.
Lillian’s Café, a restaurant aimed toward providing meaningful employment to adults with autism, opened last month in West Nyack.
The café was brought forth as a chance for young women and men to build their resumes and learn life skills in a safe environment.
Michele Koeing, director of clinical programs with Rockland Jewish Family Services, says those on the spectrum often struggle to find employment.
She says that they saw a need for a program like this one to help, and Lillian’s Café was created.
“This provides them with an opportunity to learn how to run cash register, to learn kitchen skills, and to work amongst peers and within the community,” Koeing said.
The café is located in the Jewish Community Campus building. Its name comes after Lillian Adler, a volunteer and a philanthropist who passed away earlier this year.
“People with autism have so much more to offer the community,” Maria Dowling, of the Rockland Jewish Family Services, said. “For us, we want to really spread that message."