The Cowboy Coffee Shop is a place where Coppell high school Learners with disabilities are given the opportunity to thrive and develop essential life skills. Our high school program empowers Learners by teaching them valuable employability skills like customer service, job responsibilities, and organizational abilities, all in a supportive and hands-on environment. With a space designed to simulate a real working coffee shop, complete with modern technology, our Learners gain the confidence and experience they need to succeed in the workforce. Come visit us for great coffee and to support a program that’s brewing future success for all.

Grade:11th and 12th

Ed Arndt

Description and purpose of grant: 

Grant Description: Student-Run Coffee Shop Employability Program

Project Title: Cowboy Coffee Crew: Building Employability Skills through a Student-Run Coffee Shop

Project Overview:
The Cowboy Coffee Crew Coffee Shop is a hands-on, work-based learning experience designed to provide Learners with disabilities meaningful opportunities to develop employability skills in a realistic workplace environment. Operated during first and fifth periods each school day, the coffee shop allows Learners to gain practical experience in customer service, food safety, technology use, and teamwork—all within a supportive and structured school setting.

Program Description:
Each morning, customers receive a digital order form featuring the “Special of the Day” and all other beverage options including coffee (with choice of condiments), hot cocoa, hot tea, and juice. Once an order is submitted, it appears on a technology screen in the coffee shop where Learners working as “inside baristas” assemble each order.  The shop is also available to walk up orders by all other Learners or staff, further enhancing an opportunity to learn and employ their customer service skills. 

Learners are responsible for selecting the correct cup, preparing the appropriate beverage, and following all food service protocols, including wearing gloves, aprons, and hats, and maintaining a sanitary workspace by regularly wiping down surfaces.

Completed orders are placed in labeled delivery buckets. “Delivery Walkers,” another team of Learners, review the delivery tags, deliver the products to staff throughout the building, and either collect payment or punch prepaid cards. After completing deliveries, walkers return to the shop for the next round of orders.

Technology Integration:
The entire system is designed to mirror a modern workplace environment by incorporating technology at every step—from electronic order placement via Google Forms to real-time order tracking on digital screens. This system allows Learners to gain valuable experience navigating digital tools commonly used in food service and retail industries.

Educational Impact:
Through participation in the Cowboy Coffee Crew Coffee Shop, Learners develop:

• Workplace readiness skills such as punctuality, communication, and teamwork
• Technology literacy through order processing and digital tracking
• Customer service skills through interaction with customers
• Food safety and hygiene practices consistent with real-world standards

This authentic, student-run enterprise not only promotes independence and confidence among Learners with disabilities but also fosters inclusion, builds school community, and highlights the capabilities and contributions of all learners.

Funding Purpose:
Grant funds will support the purchase of supplies, ingredients, condiments, uniforms (aprons and hats), and adaptive tools or equipment to ensure accessibility for all Learners involved.

Expected Outcomes:
By participating in the Cowboy Coffee Crew Coffee Shop, Learners will:

• Demonstrate increased independence and confidence in workplace tasks
• Acquire transferable job skills applicable to future employment
• Build meaningful connections within the school community
• Experience real-world success in a safe and supportive environment

Implementation process:

Each morning, customers receive a digital order form featuring the “Special of the Day” and all other beverage options including coffee (with choice of condiments), hot cocoa, hot tea, and juice. Once an order is submitted, it appears on a technology screen in the coffee shop where Learners working as “inside baristas” assemble each order.  The shop is also available to walk up orders by students or staff, further enhancing an opportunity to employ their customer service skills. 

Learners are responsible for selecting the correct cup, preparing the appropriate beverage, and following all food service protocols, including wearing gloves, aprons, and hats, and maintaining a sanitary workspace by regularly wiping down surfaces.

Completed orders are placed in labeled delivery buckets. “Delivery Walkers,” another team of Learners, review the delivery tags, deliver the products to staff throughout the building, and either collect payment or punch prepaid cards. After completing deliveries, walkers return to the shop for the next round of orders.

There are 15 total Learners participating in the Cowboy Coffee Crew. This grant will cover the current school year. 

Items you plan to purchase with grant money

Items will be bought at Sam's, Market Street and Amazon

Coffee- $456
Cups- $160
Plasticware- $20
Creamers- $120
Black and Green Tea bags- $48
Disposable food gloves- $54
Sani wipes- $52
Paper Towels- $90

Total: $1,000.00
 

In the event my grant is not fully funded, this is minimum amount I would need to get started on this project:  $850