Friends Ice Cream and Coffee Serves Up Community, Inclusivity, and Purpose in Katy
In Katy, local residents are falling in love with a new addition to their community - Friends Ice Cream and Coffee. Introduced in May of this year by Kingsland Baptist Church, Friends is not just a typical ice cream shop; it’s a unique venue that provides a loving and warm atmosphere for the whole family while opening up opportunities for a special group of individuals.
Situated at 20553 Kingsland Boulevard on the northeast corner of the Kingsland Baptist Church property, Friends serves a delicious variety of coffee and homemade ice cream treats. The extraordinary charm of this place, however, comes from the employees with special needs, known as the Friends Crew. Their warmth and joy permeate every interaction, making every visit a heartwarming experience.
Not just a business, Friends Ice Cream and Coffee is an extension of Kingsland Baptist Church’s Special Needs Ministry, which underwent a two-year renovation and expansion project. This unique ministry caters to children, teens and adults with various special needs, integrating them into worship gatherings and special events.
The outdoor patio area at Friends Ice Cream and Coffee, where patrons of all ages and backgrounds According to Fred Shafer, the Special Needs Director at Kingsland Baptist Church, “People with special needs are one of the most underserved people groups in churches today. Working at Friends Ice Cream and Coffee gives our adult employees with special needs a sense of purpose and accomplishment. At Kingsland, our ministry embraces and serves people with special needs and their families with the love of Jesus Christ.”
The menu at Friends caters to everyone, with a wide range of specialty coffees, flavorful smoothies and shakes. The star of the menu, however, are the ice cream creations by Allan and Maisa Velasque—award-winning Brazilian ice cream creators. Friends features tastes from delectable Nutella Crunch and Cheesecake Berry to an avant-garde Jalapeño Peach Cream, catering to a spectrum of sweet cravings.
“People with special needs are one of the most underserved people groups in churches today. Only about 10% of churches have a special needs ministry. 60% of adults with special needs are unemployed. Working at Friends Ice Cream and Coffee gives our adult employees with special needs a since of purpose and accomplishment.
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Further cementing its commitment to inclusivity, an adjacent Friends Community Playground, open to the public, is custom-designed to cater to children of all abilities. The cutting-edge playground includes play elements specifically designed for shared play, promoting a sense of unity and companionship among children," said Shafer.
With its doors open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Friends invites everyone to indulge in their irresistible treats and coffee. But most importantly, it offers an opportunity to embrace and support a meaningful cause.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
