Meet 321 in the Kitchen
Our Story
321 in the Kitchen was born out of a friendship that began long before our children came along. Dave and Liz DiLuciano and Bob and Joanne Wierda shared life’s milestones together—Dave spoke at Joanne and Bob’s wedding. Years later, when Bob and Joanne’s first child, Desmond, was born with Down syndrome and later diagnosed with autism, Dave and Liz were there with unwavering support. Just two years after, when Dave and Liz welcomed their son Nick, also born with Down syndrome, Joanne and Bob shared the lessons and hope they had already begun to gather.
Through hospital visits, therapies, feeding challenges, and countless appointments, our families grew closer than ever. What began as friendship became something deeper—a partnership built on resilience, empathy, and the shared determination to give our children every chance to thrive.
That journey led us to a turning point. After discovering CUP (Coffee Uniting People), a local coffee shop employing individuals with special needs, we felt a spark. Conversations with other families revealed we were not alone—many dreamed of creating opportunities for their children but faced overwhelming barriers. Together, we decided to do something about it. Drawing on our shared experience and backgrounds in analysis, we launched 321 in the Kitchen with one mission: to break down those barriers and empower the special needs community through unique job opportunities.
Our Mission
The Kitchen Crew
Richard
Daniel
Zahria
Rob
