Last summer, Trevor learned about The Coffee Oasis job training program and began taking classes to prepare for an internship in the community. Trevor shared that it was helpful to talk about interview skills and resume building. “I only had knowledge from a high school class setting, so I didn’t really feel prepared for the real world. The mock interview was helpful.”

In the job training program, youth development staff look to place youth in an internship site that meets their needs and interests as best as possible. For Trevor this was no different. They specifically asked for something a little more chill, quiet, and artsy if possible. Leigh, a youth development staff, looked around and presented a couple of opportunities, but Habitat for Humanity stood out to Trevor the most, as they were interested in community work.

Trevor appreciated the variety of skills they developed during the internship. Part of the internship included scheduling, making calls, coordinating job sites, and working with customers. However, once they realized art was Trevor’s main specialty, they asked if Trevor wanted to do a mural, take photos, and run the social media.

“Through Coffee Oasis I was able to get a case manager, meet other people, and springboard off of that into my internship where I really connected with my coworkers and boss. I would have never gone there if it weren’t for Coffee Oasis. It ended up being a great fit for me.”

Trevor expresses thanks for the opportunities that are provided because of the generosity of the community and commitment of volunteers and staff. “Thank you. Without that I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing or begin to start what I want to do. It’s more than a one person operation but a group of people coming together to support other people.”

Story Written by: Caryn Wright //  Date Written: January 14, 2025