A Taste of Brookville Beans Coffee Bar and Transition Services at the BCCS Education Center
The smell of fresh coffee—and possibility—filled the air on Oct. 31 as families enjoyed a preview of Brookville Beans Coffee Bar, the newest addition to the growing Transition Services program helping students build skills that will serve them well after graduation.
While Brookville Beans will officially launch this winter, families were treated to a special sneak peek after the Halloween parade, with a sampling of cold brew coffees and strawberry refreshers prepared by students.
“We’re always thinking of new ways to show students how their time and talents can connect them to a bigger world,” said Debra Doyle, Senior Director. “Brookville Beans is a fresh and tasty way we can do that, bringing different Transition Services opportunities together in a cohesive way. This is possible because of our incredible families’ fundraising and continued support.”
Students and staff are currently working to get the coffee bar up and running in the next few weeks, while refining Brookville Beans recipes, creating labels, and practicing skills, like making cold foam and counting the pumps per drink. The coffee bar is next door to the newly refurbished model apartment.
During a tour of the lower level of the Cissy Birnbaum Building by Denise Gaughan, Director, families were shown what a typical day might look like for students. Depending on their skill level and goals, a student might practice household routines in the model apartment, work on baked goods, or take a shift at the coffee bar. Another might spend the day on the job with a community partner such as Walgreens or Mario’s Pizza.
Families then visited the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) lab, a simulated work environment where students can explore different career paths including food service, business and marketing, or construction and project management.
“This stuff right here puts a smile on my face,” said Tom Emde, who toured the lab with his wife Jill Emde and brother-in-law Chris Downing to see firsthand the daily activities his son Gavin enjoys at school.
“The PAES lab to me, it makes perfect sense,” Jill said. “That’s how my son learns, very incrementally. At the same time, it teaches him step by step.” What resonated most with Jill was how well organized and color-coded the labels and instructions were in the PAES lab. Students can clearly see what is expected of them while they take on real work assignments.
Overall, it was a special day for parents to see the many ways their children are being prepared for lives of independence and opportunity.