Jordan’s helps those who qualify for placement with a job coach. Their program has been so successful that they have a waiting list, and they’ve been able to move a few of those into jobs at the McKenzie store. “We just treat others the way that we want to be treated,” Jessica St. John said. “The special team members here, they don’t care about how much money you have, or your social status, or your car or your home, or what color your skin is, or who you voted for. They don’t care if you got a vaccine or not. They love unconditionally. And they just want you to have a good day because they’re having a good day. And even if you’re having a bad day, they still want you to have a good day. Again, it’s that selfless love that I think is the closest thing to Jesus.” Jessica St. John said they’ve had several success stories with employees moving on to other jobs. One of those is Michael Pope, who will begin culinary school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this fall. He started working at Sweet Jordan’s when he was in high school, and the skills he’s learned helped propel him into a culinary career. “We always thought that when we hired them (special ability workers) that we were here to give them a purpose,” Jessica St. John said. “But then we realized along the way that we can’t give anyone purpose because God is the one who gives us a purpose. We can give you an avenue and an opportunity to find that purpose. What we needed to do was to give them a platform and to show them what it means to truly live like Jesus lives. And so it’s with that platform that we’ve been able to really effect change. That has been such an incredible blessing. We’re known for that platform of highlighting people with different abilities.” On a recent blisteringly hot summer day where the heat index hovered over 100, the store stayed busy throughout the afternoon with families coming in for ice cream, cookies, or even a late lunch. Uplifting contemporary Christian music played on the sound system. Customers eyed the ice cream and cookie cases filled with confections. Some of the ice cream flavors included traditional flavors like chocolate, vanilla, mint chocolate chip, and unusual flavors like the maple brown sugar and Elvis is in the Building (peanut butter and banana). Cookie choices range from the original chocolate chip to snickerdoodle to birthday sprinkle. Families allowed children to indulge in their sweet treats before sending the children to the play area. Jordan popped by the sofa where Jessica sat and told her that it’s World Chocolate Day. He had his chocolate ice cream cup in hand and headed out the door to shoot a social media promo. He has started a YouTube show called “The Inside Scoop” where he travels to different businesses and finds out what’s happening. Thanks to social media and coverage from Nashville news stations, Jordan has become a celebrity. Jessica said people have stopped the family at malls to talk to Jordan, and people have come from across the country to their bakery to see the smiling young man they’ve seen on social media. Jessica laughs that part of her job is to keep Jordan humble. Yet with his easy smile and sparkling eyes, that might be a hard task. His personality exudes kindness, and he calls everyone at the bakery his family. Family remains at the heart of Sweet Jordan’s. At one point, both of Jessica’s brothers worked at the bakery alongside her and Jordan. Her parents remain involved as does her sister-in-law. Their employees are like family, too, with each one having a special role. And if you ever walk into a Sweet Jordan’s, you’ll probably feel like a member of the family after indulging in ice cream, coffee, or confections, and seeing the love from the workers of all ability levels. 86 SEPTEMBER 2022 | PROMOTING EVENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE | INTHEVUE.COM
