New face behind the counter at Christy’s Cafe

The Engaging Opportunities Foundation has announced the appointment of Duke Dawkins as the new manager for Christy's Corner Café in Elmore.
Christy's Corner Café honors the memory of Christy Bosch, a woman with Down Syndrome who won numerous awards for her community involvement.
Though Dawkins recently started as manager, he is already familiar with Christy's. The nonprofit café provides opportunities to people who face ability-related barriers to employment, including Dawkins’ twin daughters Delaney and Olivia, who have genetic disabilities.
"When I was growing up, I always wanted to do something to make a difference. Like opening a shelter for homeless people," Dawkins said.
His daughters' experiences with Christy's drew Dawkins to work at the café.
"Just seeing the impact that this café had on my daughters attracted me to this job. I've always had jobs, but this is the first with a purpose behind it," he said.
Elmore area residents may recognize Dawkins from his previous role as a manager at Tank's Meats, where he worked from 2018 until January. His tenure was interrupted when complications from a routine surgery left him temporarily disabled.
"A blood clot traveled from one leg through my heart and lungs to my other leg. I wasn't supposed to survive, but I did it," he said, expressing gratitude that it's great to be back and serving the community. "One of my favorite things about working here is looking out and seeing all of my customers I know."
Dawkins always had a purpose behind his work, said Kathy Barbee, a co-founder of Christy’s.
"He is such a caring guy," said Barbee. “When he worked at Tank's, Duke always took great care of us."
Barbee recalled that Dawkins once talked with her about his past job as a meat department manager in Toledo and that he always kept snacks and drinks in his car to give to people in need that he encountered.
"We are so excited to work with Duke again," she said.
When asked what the public should know about her dad, college-bound Delaney Dawkins added, "He is going to be a great asset to the café. I know since he is my boss at home and at work."