The Community Readiness Class (CRC) opened ‘The Thunderbird Cafe’ on the 22nd of November to raise funds for the CRC class and provide their students with the opportunity to give back to their teachers and staff while learning practical skills.
The Thunderbird Cafe opened in the teacher’s lounge, in room A-241, to hand out free pie, coffee and cookies to teachers and staff.
It was entirely staffed by CRC students, serving people with plastic gloves and big smiles.
Instructional Coach Roberta Nieves was one of the three overseers of the event, being present to make sure everything was going well.
Nieves expressed that the purpose of the Thunderbird Cafe was to help students give back to their community while practicing social skills.
“Well, the idea behind it is to teach our students how to work, how to engage in social interactions, and how to give back to the community of Coronado,” Nieves said.
Nieves expressed that she wanted to show students that work can be fun, and risk free when students follow up-to-code food handling guidelines.
She shared interest in the idea of making the Thunderbird Cafe a reoccurring event. While the cafe is still in its early stages, CRC teachers hope the cafe could eventually serve students and reward those who wear their ID’s.
“We can maybe open the Cafe every two weeks, or even as a prize! For example, students who wear their ID’s can receive a coffee coupon,” Nieves said.
Brandon Fuentes, a Senior Cafe Volunteer, helped to manage the hot cocoa and coffee booth. He spoke about how the event was a good challenge for him, and he began finding new ways to cope with his social anxiety without the use of his preferred method; music.
“It’s nice working here as a volunteer and giving stuff out, it’s a lot of fun… I think this can help me a lot if I want to work at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts,” Fuentes said.
Micah Carrasco, the Thunderbird Cafe Manager said he also was having a lot of fun managing the café and he was glad there weren’t any issues that occurred.
When asked what he gained from the event, Carrasco claimed the Cafe is helping him gain experience to use for a job.
“I feel like it’s going to help me with my resume in the future when I have to apply for a job. I feel like it’s a good experience for students whenever they need help for an interview, so they at least have some references,” said Carrasco.
The Thunderbird Cafe was a success for the students and the staff and will continue to open throughout the year.
The CRC program wants to make this a reoccurring event to raise money, by tip donations.
Teachers and staff can stop by the Thunderbird Cafe on Friday, December 20th, from 8:00 to 10:00 am in room A-241.
