Courtney Kobelenske is like every parent who wants the best for their children.

So when she came to the realization that her teen daughter’s challenges have kept her from participating in traditional school sports and activities, she took matters into her own hands and organized the first Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games in September at Kotecki Park in Lower Burrell.

The games were inspired by Kobelenske’s daughter Cora, 17, a sophomore at Burrell High School, who is on the autism spectrum and suffers from muscular issues that prevent her from participating in many activities, Kobelenske said.

Helping kids with special needs find ways to play then led Kobelenske to look for ways to introduce them to the world of work.

“Children need exposure to work and everyday life skills,” said Kobelenske, 48.

But she doesn’t think the high school offers enough to help special needs students learn life skills.

“So I decided to take matters into my own hands and went around to local businesses to ask if they would be willing to help the kids,” she said.

On Saturday, Cora Kobelenske and three other teen girls will be on hand to work the breakfast shift at Rudy’s Table in the Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell from 8 to 11 a.m.

“I think it’s super cool that they are interested in going along on this journey with us,” said Courtney Kobelenske, who co-owns Cora Lee Cupcakes with her sister, Kylie Lash. The shop is at 2300 Freeport Road inside Feldarelli Square in New Kensington.

The business is named for Kobalenske’s daughter and has a purpose beyond selling sweet treats.

The sisters strive to make the shop a welcoming place for children with special needs who might require tutoring help.

Becky Rudy, who helps her son, Matt, and husband, Mark, at the restaurant during the evenings, said they were open to Kobelenske’s idea because they already had some Burrell High School students working for them.

“We were already familiar with the kids from Burrell, so when Courtney came in to eat one day and asked about doing a job-skills program for the special needs children,” she said, “we thought it was something we could help out with.

“We think it’s important for businesses to do things that benefit their community and felt that this is one way we could step up and help the kids involved in the program,” said Rudy, 61, of North Huntingdon.

The students will set and clear tables, seat customers and get a firsthand view of a restaurant’s operations — along with getting paid for the hours they put in.

The Rudys will celebrate the restaurant’s first anniversary in April. The family bought the former Elena’s Restaurant and Cafe when the previous owner wanted to retire.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)