By Jen Hofer
Special to Bellevue Reporter
The scene doesn’t look unusual.
Two young women, Joy, 19, and Megan, 20 (not their real names), greet customers at Bellevue’s new “Truly Sensational Coffee Shop” with heartfelt enthusiasm and contagious smiles. They quickly take orders for coffee and treats, answer questions and serve their customers with the confidence, professionalism and energy of the most experienced baristas.
But not only is it their first day on the job, but the two also are special education students, part of the Bellevue School District’s Transition Services Center (TSC) program, which provides training in vocational and life skills to students (up to age 21) with disabilities.
The coffee shop, sponsored by funding from the Bellevue Schools Foundation and located in the district headquarters, celebrated its grand opening in May.
“We borrowed the concept from a school district in California,” said Joe Weber, Special Education and TSC Supervisor. “It was the same idea – opening a small non-profit business to give the young adults in our program valuable on-the-job training. It’s all about empowering them to face the challenges of independence and self-sufficiency.”
One of Megan’s tasks is to pour milk into the pitchers before the orders come.
“I just really want to help out so people can enjoy our coffee,” Megan says. “And they’ve trained us how to make lattes, hot chocolate and other stuff.”
Megan has held and enjoyed other jobs, but notes that the coffee shop “is my favorite so far.”
While Joy’s goal is work with animals, “I really like this job, so now I might be inching toward working in a coffee shop.”
She remains a people-person despite the challenges she occasionally faces from a neurological disability. She enjoys a wide range of activities, from Seattle Humane Society volunteer work to playing soccer and hanging out with friends.
A self-proclaimed “Latte Lady,” she ends a conversation by saying, “Oh! I’ve got to get back – a customer needs a latte!”
The coffee shop enterprise requires the help of adult staff members, such as Para-Educator Debi Hitchcock.
“I loved the concept right from the start,” said Hitchcock. “We all knew there would be a lot to do to launch the coffee shop, but the bottom line is that we all believe in it and have unique skills to offer.”
Among other things, Hitchcock has been responsible for procuring supplies like coffee, filters, and pastries. She helps Joy and Megan develop a list of needed supplies, and then shop for them. She plans to continue working with the students to get them fully trained, but will phase out as they take on more of the responsibilities.
“Not only is this an invaluable experience for the students, but also I’ve always wanted to work in a coffee shop myself,” laughs Hitchcock. “So it’s been a bit of a dream come true for me, too.”
Transition Specialist Peggy Lynch also has been instrumental in launching the non-profit and has learned a lot along the way.
“I’ve never opened a small business before, and was shocked at how much work goes into it,” she said.
The team also has benefited from support by other coffee businesses such as Starbucks and Caffé D’arte.
“This has definitely been a team effort,” said Lynch.
It may be Megan’s and Joy’s hard work and great attitudes, or the delicious Caffé D’arte coffee, or the value this program brings to the community, but the tip jar, which goes back into the TSC program, is getting fuller by the second.
Jen Hofer is a volunteer for the Bellevue Schools Foundation and a parent in the school district.
The Truly Sensational Coffee shop is located on the main level of the school district’s ESC building located at 12111 NE First St., and serves building occupants and visitors every weekday from 9-11 a.m. (Wednesday 9-10:30 a.m.
