Douglas County High School students in the School Transition and Employability Program (STEP) launched the NextSTEP Coffee Cart in December. DCSS Transition Specialist Alena Tappin says the coffee cart offers students hands-on opportunities to develop real-world job skills by serving faculty members and building the abilities necessary for a successful transition into adulthood.
The goal of the NextSTEP Coffee Cart is to prepare students for paid employment in the community upon completion of the transition program. Students practice and polish essential communication skills by greeting customers and taking orders, and learn the elements of operating a small business like inventory management, cash handling and service promotion. Students are responsible for preparing coffee, accurately completing orders and cleaning up.
STEP teacher Priscilla Nelson emphasized the value of the experience.
“Practicing these skills supports student growth and prepares them for success in paid employment,” she said.
Special thanks are extended to Partners in Education of Douglas County, Inc. for funding the NextSTEP Coffee Cart through their Sunshine Fund, and to Douglas County High School Principal Kenja Parks for her ongoing support of the program.