Students build skills and community at RTCoffee

On Friday mornings, the Robbinsdale Transition Center (RTC) smells of coffee and cinnamon as staff and students gather at RTCoffee, sharing warm drinks and conversation.

A student-run coffee shop, RTCoffee exemplifies the major goals of RTC, providing meaningful work experiences for all students and equipping them with skills to transition from school to life in the community. RTC is a program that serves young adults, ages 18-21, who receive special education services and need support in transition areas.

Academically, students have the opportunity to take classes in money management, reading, habits of wellness in fitness and cooking, health, and social skills. From a transition perspective, RTC provides opportunities for students to expand their work skills through job training, work experience, and soft skills classes. RTC also connects students with vocational rehabilitation services.

Since 2019, RTCoffee has served as a way for students in the Money for Independent Living class to experience a faux economy, working and earning paychecks, learning how to earn and budget money.

At the start of the year, students in the course practice finding a job by applying for and interviewing for all the positions available at the coffee shop. Money for Independent Living teacher Jenny Peterson ensures that students receive jobs that provide opportunities for them to learn, but also support their personal strengths.

“I'll give the cashier job to a student who needs more support with counting money, or the greeter job to a student who is working on social skills,” said Peterson. Students then switch jobs once they demonstrate the ability to complete the position independently.

Throughout the class, in trying to keep the students’ experiences as real-world as possible, students create fake bank accounts, receive faux paychecks, and pay a variety of fake bills. Students learn ways to track their spending and earnings, developing responsible fiscal habits.

“I’ve seen so much growth with students, in skills, but also in confidence,” said Peterson. “I've had years where it is completely student-run, and it brings me to tears when I see how far they can go when they're given a chance. I've also seen it positively bring our community together at RTC.”