Quick summary
- Seth, a Via Mobility Services rider from Longmont, Colorado, lives independently and works two jobs: at Chick-fil-A and at Best Day Ever! Café.
- Best Day Ever! Café was inspired by Seth’s dream of working in a coffee shop. His mother, Marla, and their family opened it to create jobs for people with disabilities.
- Via provides Seth’s rides to both jobs, helping him build confidence. He recently took his first solo airplane trip.
- Gifts to Via Mobility Services on Colorado Gives Day, December 8, 2026, help more older adults and people with disabilities live independently.
When we first shared Seth’s story in 2021, he was building a life of independence, living on his own and working at Chick-fil-A in Longmont. Five years later, Seth is still enjoying that independence, and his world continues to grow.
Today, Seth has two jobs, enjoys sports and music, and recently took his first solo airplane trip to visit a friend in Ohio. And there’s another exciting development: one of his longtime dreams has become a reality.
Through it all, Via Mobility Services helps Seth get to work, maintain his independence, and pursue new opportunities.
Every Day Is the Best Day Ever
Seth has a habit of describing his days with enthusiasm.
“He would just say, ‘It was the best day ever!'” recalls his mother, Marla. “It was always the best day.”
For years, Seth has kept a dream book at home, writing down his hopes and prayers. One of those dreams was to open a coffee shop where he could work.
Today, that dream has come true.
Inspired by Seth, Marla and her family opened Best Day Ever! Café in Longmont, a welcoming place that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
“We want every single person who walks through the door to feel loved,” Marla says. “Everybody deserves the best day ever.”
Seth works at the café on Thursdays, helping at the register, making coffee, and washing dishes. He also continues working at Chick-fil-A, where he has been employed for years.
For Seth, having a job means more than earning a paycheck. It’s about friendships, being part of a community, and doing something he enjoys.
Independence Starts With a Ride
Seth lives independently and relies on Via to get to both Chick-fil-A and Best Day Ever! Café. Whether he’s heading to his longtime job or helping bring his coffee shop dream to life, Via helps him get there.
When asked if he enjoys living on his own, Seth responds with a cheerful, “Oh, yeah, I do.”
And when asked about his independence, he proudly says, “I am now.”
For Marla, these simple words represent years of growth.
“Everything we can do to create independence is important, and that’s what Via does,” she explains.
She points out that taking transportation independently is about more than getting from one place to another. Getting ready, being on time for a ride, and traveling without a parent’s supervision all help Seth build confidence.
Via also makes a difference in Marla’s life.
“I truly couldn’t do my job without Via,” she says. “I’d be running back and forth with Seth.”
“It brings him a beautiful life, and it also gives me a lot of freedom.”
Growing Confidence, New Adventures
Seth’s independence continues to grow beyond his daily routine.
Recently, he took his first solo airplane trip to Ohio to visit Maggie, a former job coach and close family friend who had moved away.
Marla helped him prepare for the trip, but Seth boarded the airplane on his own and was met by Maggie when he arrived.
For Marla, it was a big moment.
“I’m learning, too, how to let go and trust in these situations,” she says.
While she was nervous, Seth was full of excitement.
“He had no fear. None. He was so excited. He wasn’t scared at all. He was ready to go.”
The trip was a success, and Seth is already talking about his next adventure.
Your Support Helps Independence Grow
Today, Seth is living a full life. He works at two places, enjoys swimming, softball, basketball, and cheering for his favorite Colorado sports teams. He has friends, dreams, and new adventures ahead.
And Via helps him stay connected to the opportunities that make his life meaningful.
Marla understands the importance of community support. As the owner of a café that creates opportunities for people with disabilities, she sees firsthand how transportation can open doors.
“I can’t even put a price tag on what Via brings to my community and to me as a parent,” she says.
“There are lots of things you can give to. In my world, this is one at the top of the list because it brings so much independence to our community.”
For Seth, a ride with Via means getting to work, seeing friends, and continuing to build a life of his own. For Marla, it means knowing her son can pursue his dreams while she manages her own responsibilities.
Your gift to Via Mobility Services helps make more moments of independence possible for riders like Seth.
This Colorado Gives Day, help more older adults and people with disabilities stay connected to their communities and live life on their own terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is Best Day Ever! Café?
Best Day Ever! Café is a coffee and crepes shop in Longmont, Colorado, that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Marla and her family opened it, inspired by her son Seth’s dream of working in a coffee shop.
How does Via Mobility Services help people with disabilities live independently?
Via provides accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. Riders like Seth use Via to get to work, appointments, and community activities without depending on family members to drive them.
Who is Via Mobility Services?
Via Mobility Services is a Boulder-based nonprofit that has provided accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities in communities along Colorado’s Front Range since 1979.
When is Colorado Gives Day 2026?
Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 8, 2026. Early giving begins November 1. Donate now and give the gift of independence.
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