ABOUT DISH

The D.I.S.H. Foundation was founded from a place of love, necessity, and unwavering commitment. When Suzanne Taylor’s son Kaden, who was born with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), expressed a dream of becoming a chef, she saw a spark — and a challenge. While his passion was clear, the path forward was not.

​

As Kaden was about to promote into high school, Suzanne quickly realized that there were no structured culinary training programs in their region tailored for individuals with IDD. Despite being capable and driven, Kaden’s opportunities were limited by systems that weren't built for learners like him. The nearest model that remotely matched her vision was over 1,400 miles away in Arizona.

​

Determined to build a future for her son and others like him, Suzanne took matters into her own hands.

In 2019, she founded the D.I.S.H. Foundation, which stands for Dignity, Independence, Sense of Purpose, and Hope,  with the belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive in the workforce, especially in an industry as expressive and rewarding as food service.

​

But Suzanne didn’t do it alone.

​

She was joined by a group of dedicated parents and professionals, each with a personal connection to the IDD community and a deep understanding of the gaps in services post-graduation. Every founding board member is either a parent of a child with IDD or an experienced advocate and educator. They didn’t just see a need, they lived it.

​

Together, this passionate team created more than a nonprofit. They created a community of opportunity, where young adults with IDD receive individualized training, mentorship, and employment support — all grounded in dignity, purpose, and possibility.

​

The board continues to guide DISH with vision, empathy, and determination — expanding programs, advocating for inclusion, and building a more equitable workforce one student at a time.