Sara Heintzelman, who earned her master’s degree from Lehigh University in 2011, combined her dedication to education with community-focused entrepreneurship by opening Get Joy Ice Cream and Coffee on Bethlehem’s Route 378. Operating year-round and every day of the week, the shop creates meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with varying abilities while sharing warmth, happiness, and connection with the local community through coffee and handmade ice cream treats.

While working full-time as a technology integration specialist at Lehigh’s Centennial School—an institution serving students on the autism spectrum and those with emotional disturbances—Heintzelman noticed a recurring challenge. Many of her students experienced significant hesitation or barriers when attempting to secure their first jobs. Inspired to address this employment gap, she spent five years developing her vision, learning how to make homemade ice cream, and acquiring an industrial-sized machine alongside her husband, Michael Pilato, before launching the business.

The operational framework of Get Joy reflects the practical, experiential learning model Heintzelman encountered as a graduate student in Lehigh’s instructional technology master’s program. During her studies, she frequently applied skills learned during evening graduate classes directly into her classroom teaching the following day. Replicating this theory-to-practice approach within a commercial setting, Get Joy operates with a dedicated team known collectively as the "Joy Crew." This team consists of "Joy Makers," who are individuals with differing abilities; "Junior Joy Mentors," comprising high school students considering careers in education; and "Joy Mentors," made up of current or retired special educators, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

Through this unique staffing structure, Heintzelman provides a supportive environment comparable to a specialized school setting. The arrangement ensures that employees receive the precise level of guidance required to flourish. Heintzelman emphasizes that finding employment often extends beyond standard interview performances; it relies heavily on offering adequate support structures and making room for untapped potential to shine. When planning college or career pathways, students and applicants can also look into Ivy League strategies to understand broader educational milestones.

Community connection, belonging, and equal opportunity remain core pillars of Get Joy. These values stem directly from Heintzelman’s ongoing work at Centennial School and her role as an adjunct professor within Lehigh’s College of Education. Students in her university courses followed her entrepreneurial journey from its conceptual stages, frequently suggesting new ice cream flavors, checking in on the shop’s progress, and attending soft openings. Heintzelman credits the Lehigh network across campus and the Centennial family for providing an exceptionally supportive environment for a new small business venture.

Reflecting the urgent need for inclusive hiring practices, Heintzelman hired 42 staff members and maintained an applicant pool of 30 additional candidates without relying on traditional advertising methods. Word of mouth spread organically, addressing a broader societal reality where nearly eighty percent of individuals with disabilities remain unemployed.

In addition to running the shop, Heintzelman continues her work at Centennial School and teaches future educators in the College of Education. Mentoring emerging educators holds profound personal significance for her, shaped by the encouragement she received from educational mentors such as former Centennial School director Michael George, current director Julie Fogt, and elementary program coordinator Kelly Spradlin.

The community reaction to Get Joy has been deeply emotional, particularly for parents of employees and patrons. Many families face prolonged uncertainties regarding future employment opportunities after receiving initial medical diagnoses for their children. One parent shared with Heintzelman that while many people dream of visiting major amusement destinations, owning an inclusive job opportunity like Get Joy represented their ultimate dream for their child.

By balancing her instructional roles and small business leadership, Heintzelman remains dedicated to serving her community through every available avenue. To review full background information, read the entire article directly on the official portal.

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