And, then we thought, with Monday being our day off and the restaurant closed, why don't we offer it up as a 'classroom' for others like him so that maybe we can teach them job skills in service to help them become employed? The program has been in effect since 2022 and growing ever since. This foundation is its "next life," so to speak, and is completely separate from Sorriso Kitchen. Programs so far have expanded to cookie baking at the Madison Community House and hydroponic vegetable growing.
It is our sincere goal and desire to help this develop further and expand into other communities as we educate, help support and influence other businesses to do the same. This charity can grow into such an important part of these kids futures. Won't you contribute to our efforts?
Bellas Family / Founders
ABOUT US
We are the Bellas Family. Karen, Jimmy, L.J. and Nico and we've owned a restaurant named Sorriso Kitchen since 2018 on Main Street in Chatham, NJ - our hometown.
With LJ coming to us with Down Syndrome, we looked at our lives and his future differently. What type of job would he be able to get upon turning 21? Would he be respected and safe in whatever that environment looked like? Would anyone be there to advocate for him if he couldn't for himself? Any parent with a developmentally disabled child understands this uncertainty and anxiety. So what did we do?
We opened a restaurant.
Our Board of Trustees share their time and talent to further our mission to make a positive impact in the lives of young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Many of us are either parents of a disabled child or working professionally with these individuals on a daily basis.
Executive Board: Karen Coccari Bellas / President and Co-Founder
Jordyn Iantosca / Vice President
Karen Yutsus / Secretary
Jodi Burns / Treasurer
Members: Jimmy Bellas / Co-Founder
Cynthia Marrapodi, Melissa Soules, Tony Bianchino
