Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute's CAFE Coffee teaches special needs students job-related skills

Busy hands made shots of espresso, poured milk and flavored syrups into lattes, and drew personalized pictures on the coffee cup sleeves at the CAFE Coffee cart as a steady stream of students between classes stopped for a caffeine fix.

The coffee cart was like a well-oiled machine. Trace G. took customers’ orders on a slip of paper, then took it to either the latte or cold brew station. At the latte station, Coleten C. not only operated the espresso machine, but taught fellow employees how to use it. Joe G. sat at a table, waiting patiently to be given dishes to wash and greeting customers while they stood in line.

A handful of volunteers and Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) Adult Basic Education Coordinator Megan Norwood were on standby, stepping in to assist when employees needed help.

Each CAFE Coffee employee is an adult learner in CCC&TI’s CAFE (Career Assistance for Everyone) program. It is geared toward helping adults with learning, intellectual, or developmental differences learn job-related skills.

Norwood said there are currently about 20 students in the program.

CAFE Coffee is in its ninth month of operation and is a required component of the CAFE program, Norwood said.

“We have tons of opportunities out in the community that we’re so thankful for (and) tons of partners that let us come and volunteer,” Norwood said. “(But) we wanted something that was more consistent and on a more day-to-day basis, where they really had to be hands-on.”

From there, CAFE Coffee was born. Norwood wrote a mini-grant and was awarded $3,000 from the Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute to kick off the coffee cart idea.

CAFE Coffee started back in January. Throughout February and March, Norwood, volunteers, and students were experimenting with recipes before formally opening for business in April.

“I felt like I was sending them home hyped up on caffeine every single day,” Norwood said. “We were taste-testing the lattes (and) I was buying all kinds of syrups and hot chocolate.”

The initial goal was assigning students to one job and helping them hone their skills as cashiers, baristas, and cleanup crew.

“Now they’re wanting to learn other jobs,” Norwood said, beaming with pride for her students’ achievements. “And when their classmates are out for the day, so many of them are the first to volunteer.”

Norwood said the students work in rotating shifts so that the job is consistent, but not overwhelming.

When students get overwhelmed or overstimulated, they are quick to communicate, Norwood said, and teachers and volunteers are always nearby to ensure the students are all right.

During Thursday’s CAFE Coffee hours, one student with noise-blocking headphones became overstimulated and left for a 20- or 30-minute break. When they returned, they were calm and ready to resume their job.

“The campus and the community have just welcomed us with open arms and they’ve been patient,” Norwood said. “Drinks may take a little bit longer than a normal coffee shop to get out, and people have been incredibly kind and patient with us.”

CAFE Coffee operates at CCC&TI on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and is currently cash-only. Hot lattes cost $5 and cold brews cost $6. The signature drink, “Caldwell Cocoa Classic,” is $3.

The smiles, though, are free.