Cafe Teaching At-Risk Kids Work Skills Now Open In Everett

Sara Haner at Housing Hope passes along this information about another great collaboration in Everett to help build employment skills for at-risk youth…

New year, new cafe, new opportunities for homeless youth in Snohomish County. On Friday, Jan. 8, CafeWorks in Everett is holding its grand opening celebration, featuring coffee, free samples, and a look at the new space that is now officially open to the public.

CafeWorks, a collaboration between HopeWorks, Cocoon House and Housing Hope, features a full espresso bar, fresh pastries and sandwiches. But the best feature of the new space isn’t the coffee, it’s the opportunity the cafe provides. Through an innovative internship program, the cafe employs at-risk teens from Cocoon House and teens from Housing Hope’s young parent program.

“The internship program is what makes CafeWorks so special,” says Ross Latham, Chief Operating Officer at HopeWorks. “A customer isn’t just purchasing great coffee; they’re investing in the youth in our community.”

The new interns begin in early January, and will be greeting guests and serving coffee at the grand opening on Jan. 8.

“Through an internship at CafeWorks, teens will learn culinary, customer service and cafe management skills in a supportive environment,” says Joe Alonzo, Chief Program Officer at Cocoon House. “This program is creating a brighter future for our at-risk youth.”

The grand opening is scheduled from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8.

CafeWorks is the newest social enterprise project from HopeWorks, an organization that evolved from Housing Hope’s goal to provide job readiness, counseling, internships and work experience to low income individuals and people experiencing homelessness. HopeWorks engages Housing Hope residents in internships in one of several social enterprises, including GroundWorks Landscaping Services, WaterWorks Irrigation Services, ReNewWorks Home & Decor Store, and now CafeWorks, a coffee shop serving the Everett community.

CafeWorks is located at HopeWorks Station at 3331 Broadway in Everett. The grand opening is scheduled from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016.