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Barista Training and Education Program
July 03 2006
Here is just a glance at BTEP youth successes:
Reid was homeless and enrolled in BTEP in June of 2004. Upon graduation from the program, Reid began working at Peet’s Coffee and Tea and is now a shift manager there. Because of his steady work, he has been able to get his own apartment. Reid still has strong ties to the program; he is a guest instructor during each eight-week training session and has written an article documenting his experiences with BTEP and at Peet’s which was published in the April/May Edition of Barista Magazine.
Jacob was a homeless youth who frequented YouthCare’s Orion Center. Before he enrolled in BTEP in September of 2004, he had never held a job for more than a few weeks. After he completed eight-weeks of training, Jacob secured a BTEP internship at My Coffeehouse. This internship led to full employment, and Jacob is now an assistant manager there. He currently rents an apartment and is the proud owner of two Volkswagens.
Dario came to Seattle from a group home in Portland. He was homeless and living on the streets. He enrolled in BTEP in November of 2004. He did so well in his internship placement at Cloud City Coffee that they hired him. He is currently living in a house with a group of friends and still keeps in touch with his BTEP employment counselor.
Aimee enrolled in BTEP in June of 2005. She was living with her mother and stepsister in family transitional housing at the time of enrollment, became emancipated at age 16, and moved into YouthCare’s Pathways Transitional Living Program. Aimee participated in a barista internship at the FareStart Library Café in October of 2005 and completed a Reel Grrls media internship in April of 2006. Aimee is currently a sophomore at Summit K-12 and regularly attends tutoring sessions at BTEP.
Ted enrolled in BTEP in September of 2005. Ted was living in YouthCare’s Passages Transitional Living Program at the time of enrollment. He completed the eight-week training and was employed at Tully’s immediately upon graduation in November of 2005 where he continues to work. Ted is also a hip-hop performer and regularly performs at all-ages clubs in the Seattle area, and he has released songs under the moniker of “Gameboy.” Through BTEP he is currently involved in an internship at SeaSpot, a music promotions company, and is working towards an internship at local radio station KEXP. Ted has applied to Bellevue Community College.
Quinn was referred to BTEP from YouthCare’s ISIS House in June of 2005. She earned her GED and was placed in an internship at Highlands Espresso Café in September of 2005. Quinn successfully completed this internship and was hired as a full time employee – she became morning lead barista in March of 2006. Quinn is now living in her own apartment and continues to work at Highlands Espresso Café.
Leslie was a pregnant homeless youth when she came to BTEP in March of 2005. She completed barista training successfully and moved into her own apartment before having her lovely daughter. When Leslie’s daughter was old enough to receive day-care, Leslie began an internship at My Coffeehouse – she successfully completed the internship and was hired as a regular employee upon completion. Leslie has maintained her independent housing and continues to work at My Coffee House.
Paul was a homeless youth who heard about BTEP through his Case Manager at YouthCare’s Orion Center. After graduating from the program in January of 2004, Paul obtained a job at Tully’s at Antioch University. He has since risen to the position of assistant manager and assists in the training of new hires.
Kurt was living in Discovery Park when he found out about BTEP at a local health clinic. During the eight weeks of training, Kurt immersed himself in all aspects of the coffee business and decided to work for a smaller, specialty coffee company. He completed training in October of 2005 and obtained an internship with an independent roaster through BTEP’s Career Coordinator. Kurt also landed a job at Café Zoka and has worked there for the past seven months. He is renting an apartment and has applied to community college.
Jennifer was referred to BTEP by YouthCare’s Home of Hope program in March of 2005. Jennifer successfully completed the eight-week training in April and with the help of BTEP staff, took the college SATs in June of 2005 where she scored a very impressive 1650. Jennifer’s employment interests are in the gaming industry, and she began contract work as a game tester for Microsoft X-Box games. She is currently employed in the gaming industry.
Bianca was homeless when she enrolled in BTEP in June of 2005. A recent arrival to Seattle, she was staying at adult women’s shelters. Soon after enrollment, Bianca moved into YouthCare’s Straley House. She began working as a security guard for Allied Barton Security Services in November of 2005 and is now living in her own apartment. Bianca has re-enrolled in community college to complete her AA degree.
Carl was living with his girlfriend’s family after being kicked out of his parent’s home due to his gender identity issues. He completed the eight-week training program in June of 2005 and has been working at My Coffeehouse, a small café in Madison Valley. He recently began an internship through BTEP with SCAN Media pursuing his career aspirations in the film industry. He and his girlfriend are currently living in their own apartment.
Nela completed the eight-week component of BTEP in January of 2006. Previous attempts at employment had left Nela doubtful about her prospects of keeping a job. During the last week of training, she participated in a series of mock-interviews. One of the interviewers representing Safeway thought she did a great job and took her resume. This led to Nela being hired as a courtesy clerk at her local Safeway. She is positive about her job and enjoys helping customers. She is currently eyeing other positions at her store.
Sherri was living in one of YouthCare’s under-18 programs when she started BTEP in October of 2004. After completing the eight-week training, she concentrated on school, graduating from YouthCare’s Orion School with a high school diploma in June of 2005. Soon after graduation, she secured a position at Peet’s Coffee and Tea and has held the job for the past 10 months. She is now enrolling in massage school.
Meg was referred to BTEP in April of 2005. She was living at Friend’s of Youth’s Arbor House with her young son. She had a limited work history but completed BTEP training like a pro – Meg began working at Cherry Street Coffee House in July of 2005 and has maintained full-time employment since then. She completed a quarter of post-secondary school at Cascadia Community College in December of 2005.
Ivan was homeless when he enrolled in BTEP in April of 2005. He moved into YouthCare’s Straley House soon after enrollment. Ivan had difficulty throughout barista training due to extreme shyness and his reticent nature but successfully graduated in June of 2005. He has maintained employment as a baker at Greenwood Bakery Café since August of 2005 and has become the bakery’s lead baker. Ivan rents his own apartment in the Wallingford neighborhood and is considering taking the SATs.
