Disability-Rights Advocate Joan Allen Shares Her Top Five Obsessions
MY FIVE: A series where we ask Omahans to share their five favorite things
Meet Joan Allen, this week’s My Five feature!
By: Xitlally Velasco
Destiny Cafe, established by Joan Allen, is a restaurant that gives people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain employment and receive training in order to improve their overall job prospects in the community.
As a homemaker for a number of years with her two daughters, Jen and Sara. In 1993, Sara was killed in an automobile accident, and the subsequent year was a trying one for everyone. Because she was at home, Joan had more time to notice that Mark was following a good educational path. She participated in the founding of Phoenix Academy in 1990 as a response to the fact that this did not appear to be occurring. He was the only student there the first year he attended and the next two years.
In 2019, Joan was awarded 501(c)3 status for Destiny, and she embarked on a journey to locate a location that these individuals could call their own, where they could receive secure, meaningful training and find employment. Her enthusiasm has attracted an incredible group of people, with Dr. Hamza Haqqi, her interim executive director, and Rich Barmettler, a restaurant facilitator, serving as the team's leaders.
Soon, she will be able to realize one of her deepest desires: she will have a place to call Destiny in a location not far from you!
Without further adieu, keep reading for Joan’s top five obsessions…
1. Faith.
“I have a big responsibility, and who better to direct me than my God?”
- Joan Allen
I begin each day reading my Jesus Calling and the Bible verses that go along with it. I try to have some quiet time for the Spirit to give me guidance for my day and help me to have kind and caring words. I have a big responsibility, and who better to direct me than my God?
2. Dreamboard.
I got this when my dream began, and as you can see, it’s quite packed with very important and precious things. Each has a special meaning like all the cards Hamza gives me and the thank-you notes. Also, my invites from our first and second gatherings for Destiny, my grandbabies, of course, and my beautiful Sara.
3. Mark.
My whole reason for Destiny. His struggles have always been mine, too, and I have fought for him every step of the way to see that he gets a fair shake out of life. He’s the most amazing human I know and never gives up. He works in landscaping and coaches football. Sometimes, I grow weary of driving him, but I have to stop and think of how he feels having to be driven everywhere.
4. Thomas.
“He reminds me to drink my water!”
- Joan Allen
Thomas, Aka Tommy Tippy, is surgically implanted in my right hand. Wherever I go, he goes! He’s actually a Kate Spade insulated cup that brings me much happiness and seems to be my dear friend. Besides, he reminds me to drink my water!
5. Art.
Art with meaning, for sure! This picture was created by Angie of Friendship Heart Gallery in Lancaster, PA. I purchased this one at To A T, one of my favorite shops. These people also have developmental disabilities, which is certainly proof that they are so capable of doing a good job!
Xitlally Velasco is a University of Nebraska at Omaha journalism student with a concentration in public relations and advertising and a minor in Psychology. Velasco is the Digital Content Curator at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. Send your tips and story ideas to office@lozafina.com
