Our young adults are employed and work in a healthy work environment alongside wise mentors, in our CUP Coffee Houses. The connections that are made with mentors in the day to day, help students overcome hurdles in their lives, by having a caring person in their life at work to problem solve and train. This training goes far beyond the espresso machine. We teach great customer service, effective communication, teamwork, and commitment to a healthy work environment, but we also identify and nurture strengths such as marketing, inventory control, management, admin skills and how to have a crucial conversation! These skills help at risk young people level up to a new and better opportunity in the work force. As part of our BEYOND the job training, students who work at a CUP Coffee House are also required to participate in one 12-week Youth Empowerment Program through CUP. The two programs work together to help young adults grow and overcome hurdles in their lives that affect their futures, their communities and families.