Charlie Charger Coffee Cart, a recently launched micro-business at Amos Alonzo High School, is no ordinary coffee experience. The Coffee Cart is run by students in the ULTIMA program, which stands for Utilizing Learning Tools in Meaningful Activities, and supports students with functional academics, daily living skills, communication and sensory experiences, and vocational skills.
The Coffee Cart is about so much more than a cup of coffee. The micro-business helps build independence, communication, and problem-solving skills. This hands-on experience fosters confidence, responsibility, and social interaction while preparing students for future employment opportunities. Engaging in meaningful work empowers students, promotes inclusion, and showcases their capabilities to the school community.
The student workers are responsible for filling out order tickets, preparing orders, delivering coffees, and handling transactions by filing receipts and invoicing customers. In addition, students are responsible for tracking the customer rewards program with a punch card. The expectation is that the micro-business will be self-sustaining by the 2025-2026 school year.
Special Services teacher Stephanie Young said, “We started the process with a soft launch to the Special Services Department at the end of the first semester. At the start of the second semester, the coffee cart was officially opened to the entire school building with great success! Since starting, we have already served more than 114 cups of coffee around the building!”
A satisfied customer said, “I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful business you have created within the school building with the Charlie Charger Coffee Cart! What a fabulous idea and terrific pick-me-up at the end of the day! Your students were very professional and friendly! What a great way for students to gain experience in the customer service industry!”
The Coffee Cart launched thanks in part to a $1,000 grant from the District 230 Foundation and is organized by six ULTIMA teachers, a speech pathologist, and a vocational coordinator.
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