Be A Good Human>> Spencer’s Place

Geneva consistently seeks out innovative non-profits that are doing whatever it takes to spread kindness in their communities. As part of our Be A Good Human Initiative, we are able to highlight these incredible organizations on our community connection segments with Sonoran Living on ABC 15.

Spencer’s Place is a coffee shop with a purpose. The concept provides adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) job training and direct skill development to earn a paycheck.

Job coaches help the staff build relationships, gain a sense of purpose, and show the community the beauty of diversity and inclusion. The vision was initially created for Spencer, the owner’s son with Down Syndrome. As Spencer neared high school graduation, his next steps were extremely uncertain.

The 80% unemployment rate for those with disabilities was an alarming statistic that became a driving force to promote change.

Karin York, Spencer’s mother and high school Special education teacher, realized the need as her former adult students were not given job opportunities. Her students were well prepared and capable but not given a chance. York was determined to create a place for both Spencer and her former students to work; this was the inspiration for Spencer’s Place.

While as a community we’ve made great strides and continue to work towards diversity and inclusion, the employment space for Spencer and people with similar intellectual and developmental disabilities is still behind.

Our staff has been fortunate enough to work in an environment designed to promote well-being and create stability. Through intense training and repetition, they have proven to be the hardest working employees. Their work ethic is one of the driving forces behind Spencer’s Place, where we continue to provide individuals just like Spencer with access to employment in a safe and stable environment that fosters inclusion while building relationships with the community.

Spencer’s Place
15341 W. Waddell Rd B101
Surprise, AZ 85379
(623) 473-8899

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At Geneva, we designed our Be A Good Human T-shirts that are available to order, proceeds are donated to charities such as Spencer’s Place and other non-profits.

Our mission at Geneva Financial is to approach every aspect of our business from the “inside-out.” With a culture-forward mindset, we focus on our mortgage loan originators and support staff first in order to ensure an unbeatable experience for our customers.
Our Core Values were created as a daily reminder to operate with the inside-out approach in mind. Core Value #1 – “Be Human” is the backbone of all our Core Values, our mission, and our brand vision.

Geneva Financial Mortgage Arizona – Home Loans Powered by Humans® – is a direct lender serving Arizona and 45 other states offering New Home Loans, Refinance, VA & USDA Loans, First-Time Homebuyer, Homes for Heroes, Reverse, Self-Employed, Down Payment Assistance Programs and Investor lending products.

Always strive to humanize both the customer and employee experience.