Coffee cart part of District 214 'life' program for special ed students
Jaylisha Vega Navarro, a Hersey High School senior from Elk Grove Village, is not quite a barista yet, but she is learning the tricks of the trade during her daily shifts behind the Forest Brew coffee cart, in the middle of Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights.
"I like the money," she quips as she collects payment for cups of coffee from employees, students and visitors.
Working beside her is Alex Rodriguez, a Hersey student from Wheeling, who leaves the customer service to Jaylisha, while he mans the computer tablet with the tab that calculates the cost.
In all, nearly 18 students from Northwest Suburban High School District 214 work in shifts behind the coffee cart, which opened last month. It was conceived by officials with the district's transition program, for special education students between the ages of 18-22.
Currently, there are more than 40 students in the transition program, which is called L.I.F.E. The acronym stands for learning, independence, fulfillment and enrichment, as it literally helps prepare these students for life.
Special education administrators say they patterned the coffee cart business after ones they had seen at both Hoffman Estates and Lyons Township high schools. District 214 officials liked the concept so much they positioned the coffee cart front and center, in the administration building's main hallway.
"It's authentic work experience," says Kara Kendrick, director of the life program. "Our goal is to get these students out into the community, and with this job, it's people-centered, working on social skills and communication."
Overall, Kendrick says, the program's mission is to transition students to reach their highest level of independence through instruction in daily living, communication, community, vocation, self-determination and functional academics.
Skills learned at internal job sites, like the coffee cart and the district's workshop, are then applied in the community setting.
Forest Brew launched in a big way in March, with students selling nearly 200 cups of coffee during its first week, and they have maintained that level through its second month.
The venture has drawn business partners, including Stewart's Coffee in Chicago, which has donated all of the equipment, and Starbucks, which next month is sending one of its baristas to train students how to prepare iced coffee.
For now, students like Jaylisha and Alex enjoy their work experience, including the help of their special education teachers and students like Danny Arroyo of Wheeling, who attends The Academy, one of the alternative schools housed within the Forest View building.
"It feels good; I like to work with them," says Danny, 17. "I try to motivate them and help them with appropriate behavior. I think they appreciate it when I'm here."
Kendrick knows they do. It all adds up to an exciting start to their school day, she says, and a learning experience they wouldn't get in the classroom.
"It's part of experiential learning," she says. "But it's just exciting for them. They love all the social interaction and they don't want to miss a day."