The new student-run coffee shop, planned to open in the upstairs concession stand across from the gym and hoped to open students’ eyes to improve inclusion and opportunity in addition helping students wake up with caffeine in the morning.
As student workers deposit money and hand the customers their drinks, what can be seen as a simple task intends to provide real-life experience for these students as they’re learning new life skills that will help them succeed in the future.
The coffee shop sways from any other ordinary coffee shop through its significance to encourage students in the transition program to seek helpful life skills including counting money, brewing drinks, and talking to other students and teachers.
“Everybody needs to start somewhere and so this is a great place for our kids to start,” Place Shift Manager, Madison Broadbent said.
Every role in the cafe was designed to highlight ability rather than limitations. From greeting customers and taking orders to preparing drinks and managing daily operations, these young leaders are pushed to be actively involved in running the shop. With guidance from mentors and staff, they will gain hands-on experience while discovering their own strengths and talents.
“Counting the money and helping people makes me happy,” student Deanna Smith said.
This coffee shop was more than a place to enjoy a cup of coffee, it will be a space where opportunity, dignity and inclusion come together. Led by Transition students, the shop was created to empower individuals who are often overlooked, giving them a platform to develop skills, confidence, and independence in a real-world setting.
“I work with them really good and I have good sportsmanship,” student Kiara Kelly said.
In a Coffee Shop led by students, everyone will play an equally important role by working together to serve customers. Student employees will also build confidence and their collaboration will show that success comes from supporting one another and working as a team to develop independence.
“I felt so excited and I was really happy,” Kelly said.
