PROJECT Y.O.U. MOBILE BEVERAGE BUSINESS
Project Youth Opportunities Unlimited is a special education work-study program leading to job placement and improved employability behaviors. Efforts are made to build self-esteem, positive work habits and academic skills.
During their summer school program in 2016, students in Project Y.O.U. founded "Sleepy Coffee", their own business which delivers coffee, tea, hot chocolate and bottled water to the administration building and high school staff. Students in the program have to apply for a position (cashier, server, stock clerk etc.), be interviewed for that position and participate in three weeks of classroom training in skills such as customer service, money management and food safety. This has been so successful that Sleepy Coffee now offers on-line ordering and delivery for high school staff and has been approached by Neighborhood House to expand their services there. They also plan to make their offerings available to the students in the High School, using the "Smart Snacks" guidelines.
Through "Sleepy Coffee" special education students are able to learn a variety of skills while offering a service to the school community. They are all able to participate and be successful, no matter what their skill level.
While the students were originally able to get their business up and running by collecting small change, extra funding was necessary to expand it further. The Foundation is pleased to be able to help "Sleepy Coffee" move on to its next phase by providing the funds for a beverage cart, baking equipment and the replenishment of paper goods and food supplies.
During their summer school program in 2016, students in Project Y.O.U. founded "Sleepy Coffee", their own business which delivers coffee, tea, hot chocolate and bottled water to the administration building and high school staff. Students in the program have to apply for a position (cashier, server, stock clerk etc.), be interviewed for that position and participate in three weeks of classroom training in skills such as customer service, money management and food safety. This has been so successful that Sleepy Coffee now offers on-line ordering and delivery for high school staff and has been approached by Neighborhood House to expand their services there. They also plan to make their offerings available to the students in the High School, using the "Smart Snacks" guidelines.
Through "Sleepy Coffee" special education students are able to learn a variety of skills while offering a service to the school community. They are all able to participate and be successful, no matter what their skill level.
While the students were originally able to get their business up and running by collecting small change, extra funding was necessary to expand it further. The Foundation is pleased to be able to help "Sleepy Coffee" move on to its next phase by providing the funds for a beverage cart, baking equipment and the replenishment of paper goods and food supplies.
