A 7-year-old pageant titleholder will swap her crown for an apron Friday at a Spring café that trains adults with disabilities for the workforce.

Emma-Jean, the 2027 Miss Yellow Rose State Ultimate USA Princess, will volunteer at TEAM Café on Friday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The café, at 21127 Spring Towne Dr., provides hands-on vocational training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Woodlands Online reported.

TEAM Café operates inside The Antique Gallery of Houston in Spring, an approximately 85,000-square-foot antique mall with nearly 250 independent dealers. The café is a project of TEAM Abilities, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs promoting independence and community participation.

Rachel Jelks, founder and CEO of TEAM Abilities, said the café's participants thrive when they can be productive and take part in community life.

"TEAM Café gives them a place to practice those skills in a real-world environment while building confidence and experiencing the pride that comes from contributing," Jelks said.

Jelks is also Emma-Jean's mother. She said her daughter's pageant platform centers on working with and supporting people with special needs.

During the visit, Emma-Jean will greet customers, help the café crew and encourage neighbors to stop in for lunch. The public is invited.

The Oct. 9 event falls during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a period recognizing contributions of workers with disabilities.

Team members at the café learn food preparation, customer service, communication, organization and workplace responsibility alongside an experienced general manager and support staff.

Jelks said the café filled a longtime goal. "I have always wanted a restaurant environment where we could train our TEAM Members who would like to work, learn new skills and enjoy a new level of independence," she said in a September announcement of the café's opening.

What to know

  • What: Miss Yellow Rose Princess Emma-Jean volunteers at TEAM Café
  • When: Friday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Where: 21127 Spring Towne Dr., Spring, TX 77388 (inside The Antique Gallery of Houston)
  • More info: MyTeamAbilities.com or (832) 790-2879