COFFESHOP INSPIRATIONS * SAVE THE DATE * MEET L'ARCHE * Wild Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol. 11 * August 6, 2010
BILL SACKTER AND JANE ADDAMS
ARE COFFEESHOP INSPIRATIONS
Wild Bill's Coffeeshop began as a way to find employment for one
individual with disabilities. It has grown into a community institution in
Iowa City and a nationally-recognized symbol of efforts to reduce the
isolation of individuals with disabilities.
The coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University
of Iowa. It offers employment opportunities for individuals from the
community with disabilities and service learning opportunities for
students. Uptown Bill's, its crosstown cousin, seeks to do the same
ARE COFFEESHOP INSPIRATIONS
Wild Bill's Coffeeshop began as a way to find employment for one
individual with disabilities. It has grown into a community institution in
Iowa City and a nationally-recognized symbol of efforts to reduce the
isolation of individuals with disabilities.
The coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University
of Iowa. It offers employment opportunities for individuals from the
community with disabilities and service learning opportunities for
students. Uptown Bill's, its crosstown cousin, seeks to do the same
in a community setting.
At first glance, coffeeshops and social work might seem like an unlikely
combination. In fact, the two have been together since the beginning of
social work more than a century ago. Wild Bill's is just one of a number
of coffeeshops which draw from the legacy.
Jane Addams, one of the founding mothers of social work, opened a
coffeeshop inside Hull House just a few years after the settlement house
started in 1889. She and the other women of Hull had a number of goals for
the place. It was to be a spot where men and women could discuss the news
of the day, a place where community groups could organize, and a center
for arts in the neighborhood. The coffeeshop hosted debates on political
and social issues as well as music and dramatic performances. Plus, it was
a showcase for arts and crafts made by those who came to Hull House,
Founders of Hull House also saw the coffeeshop as a place where people
could gather regardless of their income of ethnic background. Addams and
the others wanted to find ways to combat the isolation by race and income
in cities. "The social organism has broken down through large districts of
our great cities," Addams wrote. The coffeeshop, museum, and community
theater were all initiated as efforts to reduce this isolation.
Wild Bill's Coffeeshop began as a way to reduce the isolation of one
individual, Bill Sackter. A native of Minnesota, he had spent nearly 50
years in a state mental hospital before being released in the early 1960s.
Sackter came to Iowa early in the 1970s with Barry and Bev Morrow, a young
couple from Minneapolis. The coffeeshop started as a job for Bill. At
first, it was little more than a coffeepot and a closet.
At first glance, coffeeshops and social work might seem like an unlikely
combination. In fact, the two have been together since the beginning of
social work more than a century ago. Wild Bill's is just one of a number
of coffeeshops which draw from the legacy.
Jane Addams, one of the founding mothers of social work, opened a
coffeeshop inside Hull House just a few years after the settlement house
started in 1889. She and the other women of Hull had a number of goals for
the place. It was to be a spot where men and women could discuss the news
of the day, a place where community groups could organize, and a center
for arts in the neighborhood. The coffeeshop hosted debates on political
and social issues as well as music and dramatic performances. Plus, it was
a showcase for arts and crafts made by those who came to Hull House,
Founders of Hull House also saw the coffeeshop as a place where people
could gather regardless of their income of ethnic background. Addams and
the others wanted to find ways to combat the isolation by race and income
in cities. "The social organism has broken down through large districts of
our great cities," Addams wrote. The coffeeshop, museum, and community
theater were all initiated as efforts to reduce this isolation.
Wild Bill's Coffeeshop began as a way to reduce the isolation of one
individual, Bill Sackter. A native of Minnesota, he had spent nearly 50
years in a state mental hospital before being released in the early 1960s.
Sackter came to Iowa early in the 1970s with Barry and Bev Morrow, a young
couple from Minneapolis. The coffeeshop started as a job for Bill. At
first, it was little more than a coffeepot and a closet.
Later Bill's moved into a larger room in North Hall. It has remained there for more
than 35 years. Uptown Bill's grew from the original coffeeshop and is now
located at 730 S. Dubuque.
OPEN MIC FRIDAYS
AT UPTOWN BILL'S
Sing a few songs, read your poetry, share a story at Open Mic. Friday evenings, 8 pm, at Uptown
Bill's. New location: 730 S. Dubuque (above PATV). Sign up at 7:30 pm. For more information,
call 339-0401.
SAVE THE DATE FOR
LABOR DAY MARKET
Uptown Bill's hosts the annual Labor Day Flea Market on Monday, Sept. 6. 10 am to 3 pm. Inside and outside at new location, 730 S. Dubuque.
Lots of great items for sale, plus food and music. For information, call Tom Walz at 339-0401.
OPEN HOUSE SEPT. 6
AT UPTOWN BILL'S
Come see the new Uptown Bill's, 730 S. Dubuque, on Monday, Sept. 6, 10 am to 3 pm. The Open House is being held in
conjunction with the Labor Day Flea Market and Sale.
REMOVING 'RETARDATION'
FROM STATE AGENCIES
A state senator in Pennsylvania has introduced a bill calling for an end to the use of 'mental retardation' by all state agencies.
For more about this proposal, visit the Facebook page for Uptown Bill's.
INTRODUCING
L'ARCHE
Do you know about L'Arche Communities? It's an opportunity for people of all abilities to live and work together.
For more about this movement, visit the Facebook page for Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop.
ANOTHER SMALL STEP IN
ABILITIES AWARENESS
Fueling up may now be easier for individuals with disabilities. Check out this article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette for details:
LINKS DISABILITIES
AND EMPLOYMENT
Looking for information about employment and disabilities. Check out this link to a web page at the Cornell University library.
Pull down menu offers guides to all aspects of this topic.
A WEEKLY CUP OF
COFFEE QUOTES
Coffee smells like freshly ground heaven -- Jessi Lane Adams
I could smell myself awake with that coffee -- Jaesse Tyler
Have a favorite coffee quote? Send it along. We'll include it in a future issue of the Newsletter.
LOOKING BACK IN
THE NEWSLETTER
Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter has been published since 2000. Here's a look at topics covered in past years during
the month of August:
Eight years ago (2002). Iowa City is waking up from its long summer nap as students return for the new school year
Seven years ago (2003): Minneapolis musician Cyril Paul is coming to Bill's Coffeeshop.
Six years ago (2004): One way to build community is to take the experience of Bill's Coffeeshops to other places.
_______________________________________________
Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. Located in North Hall, it has been a part of campus life in Iowa City for more than 35 years. The coffeeshop is currently closed for its summer vacation. It reopens Friday, Aug. 20 at 8 am.
Uptown Bill's is a collection of businesses owned and managed by individuals with disabilities. Now located at 730 S. Dubuque, these include a coffeeshop, a bookstore and a performance venue. For more information, stop by or call (319) 339-0401. Uptown Bill's is open daily from 8 am.
posted by Tom Gilsenan @ 2:00 PM
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