Armani escaped an unsafe living situation, gained employment, and moved into safe housing through The Coffee Oasis Youth Programs
Armani escaped an unsafe living situation, gained employment, and moved into safe housing through The Coffee Oasis Youth Programs
A Safe Place for Youth to…
Take Shelter
Housing Services
Armani* came to The Loft Youth Shelter to escape an unsafe living situation.
She had missed school for three months. She was discouraged when she arrived, but her demeanor began to shift as she adjusted to staying at The Loft and secured a job.
With the help of The Coffee Oasis staff, she was able to obtain her birth certificate, ID, food stamps, and enroll back in high school to complete her senior year. Her school counselor worked with her to obtain all the credits she needed to graduate on time. In June, Armani graduated from high school and The Loft staff and Armani’s family were able to attend!
In September of 2022, Armani gained employment as an adult caretaker and moved into her own apartment!
She is also going back to school to study nursing. We are excited for her future!
A Safe Place for Youth to…
Heal
Crisis Services
Amber reached out in a time of crisis and was able to find the support she needed through The Coffee Oasis Crisis Services.
Amber* messaged The Coffee Oasis Crisis Text Line while experiencing what seemed like a panic attack. She was advised to go to the ER due to the symptoms that she was displaying. She was scared to go in by herself and she didn’t want to be there alone. Through the crisis text line, she was able to meet with someone at the ER so that she wouldn’t be alone. Afterwards, Amber messaged the Crisis Navigator saying… “It was nice to meet you too, thank you for meeting me. I don’t think I would have gone in if you hadn’t been there.”
Last year, The Coffee Oasis Crisis Text Line received 4,565 texts from 177 youth. 174 of these youth resolved their issues through Crisis Services and 3 were connected with emergency services.
Mobile Crisis Outreach met with 234 youth. 166 of which maintained ongoing services with The Coffee Oasis.
A Safe Place for Youth to…
Belong
Youth Engagement
A Safe Place for Youth to…
Grow
Youth Development
Jade’s Story
Moving Around
Jade grew up around the Kitsap County area, as her dad was in the military. However, a few incidents happened and her parents decided they didn’t want to be together anymore. This led to her mom moving her and her siblings down to California. Shortly, they moved back up to Washington and settled in Port Orchard. “It was really tough, when I was little it was hard for me to control my emotions. Then it was hard for me to show my emotions after the split and I had to get a school counselor to help me through that.”
Finding The Coffee Oasis
After moving quite a few times, Jade settled with her mom and siblings in Port Orchard. In high school, she met a Youth Engagement worker from The Coffee Oasis at her school during lunch period who told her about the programs available. “A little after a month, I started coming around and have been here ever since.” For Jade, this has provided opportunities for social interactions, career development, and help in setting goals for the future. “I can be very antisocial sometimes, and it gives me a chance to interact with people. I really enjoy the people down here.”
Setting Goals
Jade worked with staff and set goals to complete The Coffee Oasis job training program and internship. She recently completed her internship at a local sandwich shop.
“It impacted my life a lot because it gave me an opportunity to work and point of view of what work might be like and how it would impact my future. It just gave me a good picture of my future and what I might have to do. I learned how to be more quick on my feet and got better at talking with people. I was able to make good connections.”
Jade is now working with staff on her goal of getting into college. Jade also enjoys playing cello for her school orchestra, music, and drawing. She hopes to help people in the future!
“Coffee Oasis has been one of the main constants in my life. They have provided me much support in some hard times.” -Erika
Q&A with Erika
Why do you come to The Coffee Oasis?
I originally came to The Coffee Oasis for friendship and a wholesome place to attend on Friday nights. However, over time I started to come for resources such as Case Management and Job Training Classes. I did an internship and was hired; I really enjoyed learning how to personally bring smiles to children and adults in the community.
How has Coffee Oasis Impacted Your Life?
Coffee Oasis has been one of the main constants in my life. They have provided me much support in some hard times. They have helped me find places to stay when I had run out of options, and plenty of constructive advice. This allowed me relief and temporary time to find longer solutions.
Is there anything you would like to say to those that volunteer or give to the Coffee Oasis?
I would love to say Thank you. I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have the resources that Coffee Oasis gives or their staff to lean on.
What goals have you accomplished since working with the Coffee Oasis staff and volunteers?
I have a permanent place of residence in Kitsap County. I also have a steady source of income. I also have recently started a family in which we still receive encouragement from The Coffee Oasis. I have found so much family, both biological and otherwise through working these programs.
What are some of your hobbies?
My hobbies are spending time with my son Oliver and friends. I also like shopping and tattoos. If I can get away for a Red Bull Spritzer, that’s nice.
What is a goal you are working in life?
I would like to move from renting to owning a house. I would love to grow in responsibilities at my job and climb the ladder in my career.
Is there a staff member you would like to publicly Thank? Who would it be and what for?
Jacob Wischoff and Paul Morris for being a part of my life even when I am not at the center. This shows that the staff really care and are doing more than just a job. They feel like family.
“…the staff really care and are doing more than just a job. They feel like family.”
Financials
Financial Insights:
- $1.38 million was spent on the Tacoma property purchase (reflected as an asset on organization’s balance sheet). The Coffee Oasis took a step of faith and finalized the purchase of the Tacoma property. This was made possible by using the program reserves saved over decades of faithful stewardship.
- With a continued commitment to good stewardship, The Coffee Oasis needs to replenish program and operating reserves that were used for the purchase of the Tacoma property.
- Cafe sales improved by 40%. We are encouraged by the growing sales. Cafes continue to deal with the residual impact of pandemic closures, inflating Cost of Goods, and increasing minimum wage.
The Coffee Oasis: at a Glance
• Average # of Staff: 73
• Locations: 5 (Bremerton, Kingston, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Tacoma)
• Fixed Assets: $6,078,282 (includes 5 buildings owned)
• Years of Operation: 26 years
• Debt: $0
Letter from the Executive Director
The other day I was asked if our programs really work. I had just finished telling a story of a young man who was angry and protected himself by hurting the people around him. His family didn’t feel safe with him at home, so our shelter was the last option before landing on the streets. Once a young person starts living on the streets, the chances of them finding their way back to security and safety diminishes by the day. Statistically, it will take only 48 hours of living on the streets before a youth is solicited to trade their body to survive. Sometimes we are all that is keeping a 15-year-old boy from a sleeping bag on the sidewalk.
We have plenty of stories of our programs “really working.” Every week I send an all-staff email with stories of youth finishing internships, getting their first car, graduating from school, celebrating sobriety, and unlocking their first apartment. Last year, we helped 69 youth transition from living on the streets to permanent, stable housing. 2,257 allowed us to be a part of their lives at our youth centers. In some way, coming to The Coffee Oasis “worked” for these young men and women, but their success was not a formula. We have systems and structure, but the healing process can’t be rigid.
Healing requires relationship.
Board-certified psychologist, Curt Thompson, writes:
“Every baby comes into the world looking for someone who is looking for him or her…We long to be known forever, ever more deeply and joyfully. We long for that state of confident expectancy with every footfall that lands on life’s pavement.”
Young people walk through the doors of The Coffee Oasis because they dare to believe that someone might really care for them. They hope to find safety and belonging. They long to be greeted with joy and welcomed without judgment. Welcome to The Coffee Oasis!
So, do our programs work? Absolutely. Our programs work because faith, hope, and love work.
*Name changed to respect privacy.
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