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Barista & Customer Service Program

We will support you on your journey as you pursue career pathways as a barista or in customer service.

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Free on-the-Job Training

You will learn how to make craft beverages and serve the community while you train for new career pathways and realize your own values and goals.

Here's how we'll support you

We will help you every step of the way:

  • Eight weeks of free training in both classroom and café settings, including self-empowerment and foundational skills (communications, financial and computer literacy, etc.)
  • Case management and support with basic needs, including housing and transportation
  • Technology training with a laptop provided
  • Job preparedness training, including resume building, cover letter writing and practice interviews
  • Support with obtaining a job
  • Cash stipend
Apply now

Here's what you'll bring

You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to give this your best every day.

Be willing to learn, stay with the program, and work hard. If you don’t give up, neither will we.

Program Requirements

  • Age 18 – 24
  • Ability to train 12 hours on weekdays
  • Unstably housed or experiencing homelessness
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • Proof of COVID vaccination
Interested? Contact Us

" We don't have to be blood or family for us to be community and family. You always have a home with us. "

- Barista & Customer Service Case Manager

" Every day that I would go in (to the café) was such a magical experience -- I always felt so loved and appreciated and seen. "

- Barista & Customer Service Graduate

" Coming into this program was a complete surprise. I was in a shelter at the time, going through probably one of the worst parts of my life. I subscribed to the program, had probably the best two months I've had in probably a year and a half. I'm still going through a lot, but the Barista program helped me get through it. It gave me a purpose every day. "

- Barista & Customer Service Graduate

Our students are successful

Youth enrolled in our program learn valuable customer service and barista skills that help them land jobs at retail, food service, coffee shops and other businesses.

1,431

students enrolled

Over 1,400 students have enrolled in our Barista & Customer Service Program since 1992.

1,038

students graduated

Over 1,000 students have graduated from our program since 1992.

702

jobs or promotions

We have helped students in our Barista & Customer Service Program secure over 700 jobs or promotions since 1992.

156

high school credits

Over the past five years, more than 150 enrolled students have earned high school credit for participating in the Education Pathway of our Barista & Customer Service Program.

Stories

Hear from some of our graduates and staff about their experiences at FareStart:

We work with a variety of community partners through our youth programs including, Seattle Public Schools, Echo Glen Children’s Center, Gifts of Hope and more.

 If you are still unsure if the Barista & Customer Service Program is right for you, contact us and we will talk about it together. We are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday – Friday and would be happy to help you.

Call us at 206.787.1502 or email us at enroll@farestart.org.

How you can help

There are many ways to support our mission. With your help, FareStart is transforming lives, disrupting poverty and nourishing communities through food, life skills and job training.

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Your gift to FareStart helps provide students with job training, wraparound support, and other critical services that empower people to escape the cycles of homelessness and poverty.

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