“What I try to do is become what the community wants or needs, I try to fill
whatever that gap is,” says Joanna Kilgore, owner of a local Maize coffee shop.
Twelve years ago, Kilgore opened Moxi Junction with little to no idea as to what it
would be, and mean today.
However the goal of Moxi both then and now is to create a place for the
community to gather and create a workplace opportunity for people with
disabilities.
“The community has had a huge impact on Moxi, because what we are is what I
perceive the community wants,” Kilgore says, “We do school breakfast Monday
morning, because that’s kind of fun. We do community events.”
Moxi Junction provides an opportunity for local people with disabilities to work
and feel a part of the community while making a legitimate impact through their work. Kilgore describes that there’s always a spot for someone who wants and
even sometimes needs to be a part of Moxi.
“The whole point is that everybody needs a purpose. A purpose is given to you
by many different things but having a job gives you a purpose,” Says Kilgore,
“And having a job where people appreciate you, and see your value, and you’re
bringing value to a whole community, that’s what I hope they’re getting out of it.”
One young employee, Kait Rummery explains how Moxi has made her feel more
involved and has provided her with early job experience that she really enjoys.
“Moxi Junction has provided me with my first job ever,” Rummery says, “I’ve
worked here for three years and I have gotten to be more included in the
community, go to all of the events, just meet all the fun people here. New people
[and] regulars.
Moxi Junction is an important pillar of the community that gives people the
opportunity to come together and find connections and unity.
