“There’s Autism in the House” at Monkey’s Uncle 

When Jeanell and Derrick Morgan opened the doors of Monkey’s Uncle in 2010, the goal of the store was to provide Philly sportswear to Doylestown and the surrounding Philly burbs, while creating a safe future work environment for their preschool aged son diagnosed with Autism. Fast forward to 2023, and Monkey’s Uncle is thriving in ways the Morgan family could have never imagined.

If you know Jeanell, the personable artist behind Monkey’s Uncle, then you know one of her favorite phrases is “Autism is a superpower.” It’s hard to feel anything but sheer joy when in the presence of Jeanell. As a mom who is knee deep in the special needs world, Jeanell has not let any obstacles affect her positivity. She is truly a cheerleader for children, youth, teens, young adults, and adults of all abilities. It’s easy to see how serving this community was Jeanell’s calling in life.

Monkey’s Uncle has morphed from a Philly sportswear store to a safe haven for the special needs community:

• Five years ago, Jeanell kept thinking “I can be more to the community.” She began partnering with the local school district to provide a work based instruction program, helping students with special needs build valuable work and job skills. 
• Two years ago, Jeanell’s husband, Derrick, left his full-time marketing job to give 100% to the business. Now, this power couple is helping the local community with their “Merch on a Mission.”

While Jeanell teaches students how to do retail at the cash register, in the back area of Monkey’s Uncle, Derrick has set up shop with a learning space for their students-artists interested in production. Each student is taught how to create graphics, print them, use a heat press, and ship out their merchandise all over the country. Jeanell knows that this was Derrick’s calling all along; proof that this couple is unstoppable with their creativity and determination in helping the special needs community.

“You have to change the way the world sees Autism,” Jeanell said. And she’s exactly right. Parents of those on the Autism Spectrum know that the outside world’s ideas of Autism have to change. In order to create a more inclusive world, the world needs to embrace individuals of all abilities and allow them to navigate the world in their own way. While Jeanell knows that Monkey’s Uncle is a launch pad to the real world for her students, she hopes to continue hiring more students who have graduated from the district work program. The special needs trained adult volunteers on staff are also an imperative element to the success of Monkey’s Uncle.

It seems like the Morgans have accomplished all they wanted to with Monkey’s Uncle, but that just means they have room for new goals. Jeanell’s next big goal? “I want to franchise!” While Derrick believes they “need to do one thing really well,” Jeanell thinks that Monkey’s Uncle will continue to serve a greater purpose beyond the Doylestown community—I would have to agree. Jeanell observes that when her son is navigating the world with his own coping skills, she has to explain “there’s Autism in the house” so the rest of the world is more understanding. I have a feeling that Jeanell and Derrick are creating a world where special needs won’t need to be explained, but are naturally embraced. After all, special needs are always in the house in all of our communities. It’s refreshing to see businesses who make all feel welcomed! Unless maybe you’re a Mets fan….

Grab your Philly sports gear and check out all of the Merch on a Mission at Monkey’s Uncle.