In this episode we talk with Stephanie Ward, Program Coordinator for the NCHPAD Coffee Club. Stephanie’s role at NCHPAD focuses on community engagement, building meaningful connections, and helping create positive change while empowering people to live healthier lives. Twice each month, she hosts the NCHPAD Coffee Club, an engaging virtual program where people with disabilities connect, build friendships, and learn about health and wellness. We wanted to highlight the impactful work happening through Coffee Club and share more about the program’s history and goals.

Visit the NCHPAD Connect and Coffee Club pages to become a participant and join the NCHPAD community of participants.

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Episode Transcript

Quick Navigation (click the linked text below to jump to a new section)

• Intro
• The inspiration that led to the creation of the NCHPAD Coffee Club
• What happens during a typical Coffee Club session
• How the topics and guest speakers are chosen for each meeting
• How she’s seen Coffee Club grow over the years
• Stephanie’s most memorable Coffee Club conversations or moments
• Structured content with open conversation and community connection
• How Coffee Club contributes to the health and wellness of people with mobility limitations
• A message to anyone curious about joining their first Coffee Club session
• Coffee Club for Care Partners
• What Stephanie has learned from hosting Coffee Club

*Edited for clarity*

Host 0:04

Welcome to Wellness, Health and Everything Else: a NCHPAD Podcast. NCHPAD is the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability – the nation’s premier center dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of everyone. In each episode, we explore topics at the intersection of health, wellness and mobility limitations. If you have an idea for a topic, would like to learn more about a topic or are interested in our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at nchpad@uab.edu, give us a call at 866-866-8896 or check out our website at nchpad.org.

Music Interlude

Stephanie Ward 0:50

Coffee Club, oh Coffee Club, getting ready for the Coffee Club. It’s time to have our coffee and convo. Coffee Club, oh Coffee Club, welcome to NCHPAD’s Coffee Club. It is time to have coffee and convo with you!

Host 1:10

That’s Stephanie Ward, Program Coordinator for the NCHPAD Coffee Club. Stephanie’s role at NCHPAD is rooted in community engagement and centered on fostering connections and creating positive change, while empowering everyone to lead a healthier life. Twice a month, Stephanie hosts the NCHPAD Coffee Club, an engaging virtual program for people with disabilities to foster connections, build friendships, and learn about health and wellness. We wanted to highlight the outstanding work being done in the Coffee Club and share some of the program’s history and goals.

Here’s Stephanie discussing the inspiration that led to the creation of the NCHPAD Coffee Club.

Stephanie Ward 1:44

The NCHPAD Coffee Club was actually created during the Covid 19 pandemic to maintain connection for participants in the NCHPAD MENTOR program. So, we wanted to offer a more welcoming, informal virtual space where individuals living with mobility limitations could connect beyond structured programming and feel a sense of belonging. While NCHPAD provides evidence-based health resources, we recognize the importance of community. So, since the launch in August of 2021, I’m happy to report Coffee Club has grown to over 300 members and continues to foster connection, reduce isolation, and promote whole-person wellness in a supportive environment. And our topics are actually centered around the MY SCORECARD 11 wellness domains, along with relevant current events. The 11 domains include minding your thoughts and emotions, your spiritual practice, self-care skills, core values, outdoor time in nature, relationships, exercise, contribution to others, arts and leisure, rest and relaxation, and diet.

Host 3:14

Stephanie talked about what happens during a typical Coffee Club session.

Stephanie Ward 3:18

A typical Coffee Club section includes a warm welcome community check-in first, okay? And either a guest speaker or a guided discussion around a relevant health and wellness or life topic. We offer guest speakers who share personal stories, professional expertise or lived experiences and resources. Our sessions usually include a 20-to-30-minute presentation and then 15 to 20 minutes of interactive Q&A, open conversation, and peer sharing. The atmosphere is conversational and supportive. Participants are encouraged to engage at their own comfort level.

Host 4:10

We asked Stephanie about how the topics and guest speakers are chosen for each meeting.

Stephanie Ward 4:14

Well, our topics are chosen and centered again around the 11 wellness domains, emerging wellness themes, and issues that directly impact people living with mobility limitations. So, I also listen closely to what participants are talking about, their challenges, their celebrations, and also questions shape our future sessions. Guest speakers are also selected for both expertise and relatability, and we look for individuals who can provide practical insights, inspiration, or tools that participants can apply to their daily lives.

Host 5:06

Stephanie gave a glimpse into how she’s seen Coffee Club grow over the years.

Stephanie Ward 5:11

Coffee Club has grown, not only in attendance but in connection, leadership, and impact. Well, what began as a virtual gathering has evolved into a trusted community where members openly share, build friendships, and support one another. Participants are invited to co-facilitate discussions and topics in a safe platform, which also empowers them to share their personal experiences by focusing on their strengths rather than their hardships.
Another way that we have opened up additional communication for our Coffee Club members is the opportunity to stay connected using the NCHPAD Facebook and NCHPAD Connect Facebook page, which was created to strengthen friendships beyond our Zoom sessions. We also have collaboration between Coffee Club participants and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Biomedical Engineering Department’s professors and students. This led to the development of adaptive equipment prototypes for our Coffee Club members. The growth has been organic and rooted in trust and authentic connections.

Host 6:45

We asked for some of Stephanie’s most memorable conversations or moments that have happened during Coffee Club.

Stephanie Ward 6:50

Well, some of our most memorable moments have been when a guest shares a deeply personal story and participants respond with affirmation. There have been sessions where people express that it was the first time that they felt understood in a health-related conversation. Another powerful moment is when participants continue conversations after the sessions have ended. That tells me that the connection is real and meaningful.

Host 7:23

Stephanie discussed how she balances structured content with open conversation and community connection in each session.

Stephanie Ward 7:30

Well, I intentionally designed each session with structure, meaning a clear beginning, middle, and end, but I leave space for organic dialogue. I typically allocate time for presentation and time for Q&A, but if the conversation becomes impactful and community building, I allow it to flow naturally while still respecting everybody’s time. The balance helps maintain professionalism while preserving authenticity.

Host 8:07

We wanted to know how she sees Coffee Club contributing to the health and wellness of people with mobility limitations.

Stephanie Ward 8:13

Well, health is more than physical activity; it also includes mental, emotional, and social well-being. Coffee Club contributes by reducing social isolation, providing access to health education, encouraging peer support, promoting self-advocacy, and highlighting adaptive wellness strategies. For individuals with mobility limitations, community connection is a powerful health intervention, I feel.

Host 8:53

Stephanie has a message to anyone curious about joining their first Coffee Club session.

Stephanie Ward 9:00

I would say that you don’t have to speak to belong to the Coffee Club. You can come, listen, observe, and engage at your own pace. Coffee Club is a judgment-free space. Participants join quietly at first and gradually feel more comfortable. The goal is connection, not pressure.

Host 9:31

Along with the regular Coffee Club, Stephanie also hosts Coffee Club for Care Partners. Here’s Stephanie discussing the mission of these sessions.

Stephanie Ward 9:40

NCHPAD Care Partner Coffee Club is a welcoming judgment-free space designed for care partners to share experiences, build connections, hear about valuable resources, and gain valuable insight from guest speakers focusing on various topics, including exercise, diet, spiritual practice, nature, resources, arts and leisure, rest, and relaxation. When caring for someone, you always need a supportive community, and so that’s what we try to provide with that space for just one hour (9:30 to 10:30, Central Standard Time) once a month on a Wednesday.

Host 10:32

Stephanie closes with one big lesson she’s learned from hosting the Coffee Club.

Stephanie Ward 10:37

One major lesson that I’ve learned is that leadership and community spaces aren’t about having all the answers. It’s about holding space. Hosting Coffee Club has taught me that when people feel safe, respected, and heard, transformation happens naturally. Sometimes the most powerful role I play is simply facilitating the room and letting the community shine, and letting the Coffee Club members be themselves.

I feel like one thing I would like to add is that Coffee Club is not just a place to have coffee and conversations. The community, I feel, is more like a family, and the connection is real, and I love each and every one of my Coffee Clubs members. They all bring something special to the group.

Host 11:42

Thanks for listening to Wellness, Health and Everything Else. For a full episode transcript, visit our website and find the episode in the podcasts and videos section or in the episode details on streaming apps. If you would like to learn more about Coffee Club, visit our website and click the Coffee Club link under the NCHPAD Connect tab in the top menu. If you have questions about NCHPAD’s free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at nchpad@uab.edu, call us at 866-866-8896 or check out our website at nchpad.org.