The Lily Pad provides a leap up

by | Nov 28, 2025

By Laura Lee Leathers

Lily Lape and Hayden Elliott at The Lily Pad

Have you ever driven around the Barnett Reservoir and noticed the floating leaves of the water lilies around the edges? The lily’s root is in the mud at the bottom of the water. It produces a stem that extends upward to the surface, making the green leaf. They are usually round; some are heart-shaped, green on top, purplish underneath, and may have a flower.

This plant became the inspiration for The Lily Pad Cafe, “a not-for-profit restaurant focused on employing and training individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to give them the work skills and confidence necessary to obtain employment with other businesses.”

On my first visit to the Ridgeland cafe, I was greeted warmly at the door by a young man named Tyler. He escorted me to a table, gave me a menu, and then told me about the week’s special, Roast Beef-A-Bella, while a volunteer stood behind him, available if needed.

After studying the menu further, I decided on the Basil Pesto & Chicken on flatbread, a cauliflower crust, and placed my order at the counter. When it was ready, another young man brought it to my table. Throughout my meal, he asked several times for my lemonade to be refreshed. It too was delicious. The dining area was inviting, and by observing the colors of their T-shirts, you could tell whether they were staff, students, or volunteers.

The why behind The Lily Pad

Hayden Elliott and Lily Lape

The parents of Hayden Elliott (left) and Lily Lape operate The Lily Pad restaurant as a way to provide job training and opportunities to people with disabilities.

After my meal, Lily Pad co-founder and director Kristin Lape shared the story of the cafe’s inception.

Everything began in 2012, when Kristin and Brent Lape’s daughter, also named Lily, was born with Down Syndrome. Before leaving the hospital, they were encouraged to reach out to two local organizations: the Little Light House of Central Mississippi and the Central Mississippi Downs Society.

Meanwhile, Brent liked running 5Ks and marathons to support various causes. It occurred to him that not one of these runs had promoted the awareness of Down syndrome.

In May 2013, Brent created Running for Lily with the goal of running 321 miles. The number stood for “Trisomy 21, the third copy of chromosome 21,” which causes Down syndrome. He ran while pushing Lily in her stroller.

Then the Lapes wanted to do a fundraiser for the organizations mentioned earlier. It became known as Run-Up for Downs. Here they met Deanna and Kelly Elliott, whose son Hayden was in Lily’s class at the Little Light House. The Elliotts agreed to be supporters of Run-Up for Downs, and the couples became good friends. Deanna serves as President of the Lily Pad board.

God winks and nods

Lily Pad staff, volunteer, and paid interns

Lily Pad Director Kristin Lape (far left) with staff, volunteer, and paid interns at the Ridgeland cafe.

For the Lapes, the Elliotts, and other parents of children with Down’s, one of their concerns was what comes after high school. Sadly, they learned that there are only a few options. The two couples kept researching and discovered Hugs Cafe in McKinney, Texas, which provides employment training for individuals with special needs.

The Lapes were visiting Texas in 2018 for a wedding and decided to detour to Hugs Cafe. Inside, Kristin watched the students doing every task in this restaurant. It seemed to ignite a fire within her. This was needed in Mississippi, and she wanted to learn more about how to implement it. The Hugs owner advised Kristin to come back when she had a building.

In 2019, the owners of the former M7 Coffee House in Olde Towne Ridgeland reached out to see if The Lily Pad Foundation was interested in purchasing the building.

“We signed a contract in June 2020 and agreed to buy this building in December 2020. That was our goal.”

Fundraising included sponsorship levels for bricks and pavers, tables, and even menu items named in honor of an individual. Three weeks before closing, the foundation was going to have to borrow money. Then came a phone call from an anonymous donor who asked what was needed to buy the building. The money was donated, and the building was purchased with no loan.

Acts of kindness continued as renovations began. Volunteers caulked and painted, and businesses offered their services. Staff were hired in May 2024, and the first training began in June. The Lily Pad opened the first weekend of December 2024. The students then became paid interns.

“We wouldn’t be open or where we are today if it weren’t for Hugs and their partnership. (We) have come full circle with them,” stated Kristin.

As far as Kristin knows, The Lily Pad is the only Mississippi nonprofit offering this in-house training, matching students’ skills with other jobs, and ultimately helping them become independent.

“The name of The Lily Pad represents a stepping stone for every student. We don’t want this to be a permanent place of employment; we want this to be a place where they feel comfortable and build their confidence,” Kristin says.

“Community involvement plays a large part in the process. (Without) customers, they cannot practice their skills.”
 

Ways to be Involved

  • Eat at the cafe – regularly! The Lily Pad also does catering and grab-and-go.
  • Volunteer!
  • Donate to The Lily Pad Foundation.
  • Make plans now to run in the Leap 4 The Lily Pad event, usually held in April.
  • Visit thelilypadms.com for more information on all of the above, plus the application for your child to participate in this program.

The Lily Pad hours & info