THE BREW CREW
/THE BREW CREW
By: Sgt. Jeff Stewart
The Boilermaker Brew pop-up coffee shop is not just about selling coffee, it is about empowering special needs high school students and preparing them for life after graduation. The program, which is a collaboration between the Garfield School District's LifeSkills program and the Garfield Police Community Affairs Division led by Sgt. Jeff Stewart, allows students to gain hands-on experience in the food industry while also learning valuable life skills such as financial literacy.
The program was entirely funded by grants and community members, and volunteer George Leles of Arabica Coffee Co. helped the students source beans, experiment with flavors and roast the coffee. The students even had the opportunity to create their own logos and take lessons on financial literacy provided by a local TD Bank branch office.
The Boilermaker Brew pop-up coffee shop is located at the Century Field House kitchen, located at 60 Elizabeth St. in Garfield and operates in spring, summer and fall. During the winter, it moves indoors to the local YMCA located at 33 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ 07026, with winter hours of operation on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:15 am. Both the Century Field and the YMCA host the students free of charge.
The coffee shop has received positive reviews, and cups sell for $2 small and $3 large. The second year of the program has been fully sustainable by coffee sales, and the goal is to one day have a brick-and-mortar location.
The Boilermaker Brew pop-up coffee shop is a shining example of what can be achieved when the community comes together to support special needs students. The Garfield Police Department, Police Chief Rich Uram and the Garfield School District should be commended for their innovative approach and for the positive impact they are having on the lives of these students. We hope that other communities will take note of this program and be inspired to create similar opportunities for their special needs students.
More Information:
Sgt. Jeff Stewart
City of Garfield Police
Community Affairs Division Commander
DM @officerstewart Instagram
