Baltimore County’s newest coffee shop, Reaching Higher Grounds, is more than just a place to grab an affordable cup of coffee. Located at the district’s employee development center in Timonium, the student-run stand provides a unique opportunity for students with disabilities to build valuable employment skills.
For two hours each morning, eight students take on various roles, from greeting customers to manning the cash register and brewing coffee with the Keurig. The goal is to teach face-to-face service, an essential skill in the workplace, explained Bernadette Fotopoulos, liaison for the county’s post-high school education program.
“We saw it as an opportunity to meet a need by supporting our staff and co-workers with caffeine, while also providing a work-based learning experience for the students,” Fotopoulos said.
Though the first week has faced challenges, including snow delays and the postponement of the grand opening, the students have been using the time to prepare. Donald Griffin, 20, who has worked in every role at the stand, shared that making coffee is his favorite part, but operating the cash register has been his biggest lesson.
“We have tea, coffee flavors, and hot chocolate,” Griffin said while greeting customers. “It’s only two dollars.”
The coffee stand’s revenue supports the Baltimore County schools’ charity foundation, with most customers being district employees. However, the stand is also open to visitors attending professional development sessions, and Fotopoulos hopes the grand opening ceremony next Tuesday will help spread the word.
“The chance for students to showcase their skills and contribute to their community is both powerful and valuable,” Fotopoulos said.
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