Howdy Homemade Ice Cream: Ice Cream with a Mission

Though only having its doors open for a little over a week, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is already impacting Indy. The shop, which is located near Needler’s Fresh Market at 370 N. New Jersey St., serves ice cream with a mission.

“Our goal is to employ individuals with disabilities, an untapped workforce in Indiana and around the country,” James Officer, co-owner alongside Cindy Carter and Carmela Toler, said. Howdy Homemade Ice Cream aims to create a safe space for their staff, most of whom have an intellectual or developmental disability

Officer believes that caring for people with disabilities goes beyond helping and serving them. At Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, they have the valued role of employee and receive a paycheck. This grants them greater independence, which is something that often goes overlooked.

The company intends to “highlight a segment of the community who is under-voiced, underrepresented and misunderstood.”

Though one of their primary focuses is the community of those with disabilities, Officer hopes that Howdy will become, “an inclusive meetup spot where it’s not just for people with disabilities. It’s for the families and friends and for the community.”

Howdy Homemade Ice Cream will hold its grand opening Thursday, Sept. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. Festivities will include a DJ, food, fun and, of course, ice cream. Regular business hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

For more on Howdy Ice Cream, go to www.howdyhomemade.com or check them out on Facebook or Instagram.

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