Empowering Families One Recipe at a Time
About 321 In The Kitchen
The Story of 321 in the Kitchen: Two Families, One Mission
The Story of 321 in the Kitchen: Two Families, One Mission
The Story of 321 in the Kitchen: Two Families, One Mission
321 in the Kitchen began as a journey of friendship and shared experiences between two families with children who have Down syndrome. For nine years, these two couples—Dave and Liz DiLuciano and Bob and Joanne Wierda—have supported each other through life’s challenges and joys, united by their love for their children and a desire to cre
321 in the Kitchen began as a journey of friendship and shared experiences between two families with children who have Down syndrome. For nine years, these two couples—Dave and Liz DiLuciano and Bob and Joanne Wierda—have supported each other through life’s challenges and joys, united by their love for their children and a desire to create meaningful change.
Dave has always been a close friend and even spoke at Bob and Joanne’s wedding. When Bob and Joanne’s first child, Desmond, was born with Down syndrome and later received a dual diagnosis of autism, they began navigating the complexities of raising a child with special needs. During those early, uncertain years, Dave and Liz provided unwavering support.
Two years later, the roles reversed. Dave and Liz learned that their fifth child, Nick, would also be born with Down syndrome. Now it was Bob and Joanne’s turn to offer guidance. They shared their experiences with hospitalizations, multiple medical specialists, therapies, feeding challenges, and educational opportunities. This deepened the bond between the families that went beyond friendship—it became a partnership.
Their shared journey led them to a pivotal moment one year ago. Bob and Joanne discovered a local coffee shop, CUP (Coffee Uniting People), that employed individuals with special needs. Inspired by CUP, they dreamed of starting their own business to create similar opportunities. Conversations with other special-needs families revealed a common frustration: many families wanted to start businesses but were hindered by high costs, limited time, and lack of experience.
Hearing these stories and seeing an opportunity gap sparked an idea. With Bob and Dave’s shared background in financial analysis and their families’ mutual passion for empowering special-needs families, they decided to take action. Thus, 321 in the Kitchen was born—a business dedicated to breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for families like theirs to succeed.
Our Mission
The Story of 321 in the Kitchen: Two Families, One Mission
The Story of 321 in the Kitchen: Two Families, One Mission
321 in the Kitchen exists to empower families of children with special needs by creating sustainable employment, income opportunities, and pathways to entrepreneurship. We aim to remove the barriers that often prevent these families from entering the business world by providing an accessible, supportive, and scalable business model.
At it
321 in the Kitchen exists to empower families of children with special needs by creating sustainable employment, income opportunities, and pathways to entrepreneurship. We aim to remove the barriers that often prevent these families from entering the business world by providing an accessible, supportive, and scalable business model.
At its core, our mission is about loving the special needs community. We believe that every family, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the chance to thrive. By focusing on collaboration and storytelling, we hope to inspire others to see the value and potential in every individual, regardless of their abilities.
Our Vision
The Story of 321 in the Kitchen: Two Families, One Mission
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a world where families of all types of special-needs individuals can build successful businesses and live with financial stability and pride. Starting with our first product, chocolate chip banana bread, we envision a network of community-minded businesses that support and uplift each other.
About 321 In The Kitchen
The Meaning Behind “321”
The name “321 in the Kitchen” is a tribute to individuals with Down syndrome, who have three copies of the 21st chromosome. It symbolizes our commitment to celebrating their unique abilities and creating a future where their contributions are valued and celebrated.
Our goals include:
- Creating Impactful Opportunities: Providing unique employment for individuals with special needs and empowering families to bring their products to market.
- Fostering Community Partnerships: Partnering with coffee shops, specialty stores, and other mission-driven organizations to build a thriving network.
- Expanding Our Reach: Developing a scalable model that can be expanded to other families.
- Celebrating Unique Abilities: Promoting awareness of and loving special-needs individuals through storytelling and community engagement.
Looking Ahead
What started as an idea shared over coffee has grown into a mission that extends far beyond these two families and their shared hope and love for their children with special needs. 321 in the Kitchen is more than a business—it’s a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the belief that every family deserves a chance to thrive. Together, we’re not just baking banana bread; we’re building a better future.