A VISION FOR INCLUSION BECOMES HER PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS
NAPERVILLE–Waubonsie Valley and Concordia University graduate, Megan Elder has always had a vision for inclusion in her community.
Over 15 years ago, she started a Naperville ministry, now called Young Life Capernaum, for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through running this program, Megan became painfully aware of the lack of opportunities there are for adults with disabilities.
Along the way, she and her husband, Justin, adopted two girls with Down Syndrome, Mila (9) and Audrey (4) to join their growing family with Zoey (12) and Wells (4).
“That’s when I started asking myself, how can I help, which planted the seed for Moose and Me,” she says. “Moose and Me was inspired by my daughter Mila, a/k/a Moose, who always showed a desire to bake. It was a fun way to bond and teach her life skills while keeping her attention.”
Living by Bob Goff's words that most people need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice, she has an overall goal to employ adults of all abilities and create meaningful interactions within the community. Currently she operates this non-profit, in-home bakery, and hopes to open a physical location in order to employ more adults of all abilities.
Moose & Me Baking Company’s mission doesn’t stop there, it’s also impacting the community with their Donate-A-Cake program, which donates birthday cakes to children in need by partnering with local organizations including Hesed House, Mutual Ground and 360 Youth. -Kristen Kucharski, Photos by Mike Catuara
