Learn coffee. Build skills. Open doors.
Our workforce development program that helps people break into specialty coffee through real, hands-on training, without years of prior experience.
No experience required.
Most third-wave coffee shops in Portland require significant experience before they'll hire. We're working to disrupt that barrier by training people in the practical, day-to-day skills that make great baristas, coffee roasters and teammates. At the same time, you'll be part of a team that gets to feed hungry people in need of food, every day, for free.
Learn by doing, on a real bar.
This is an on-the-floor training experience inside an operating coffee shop: dialing in espresso, building drinks, serving guests, keeping cafe standards, and building the confidence to work in professional coffee.
Espresso and drinks
Espresso workflow, drink building and dialing in. All the skills every third-wave shop asks for.
Apply
Service and the floor
Customer service, hospitality, cafe cleanliness, opening and closing routines, and workflow standards.
Apply
Roasting and green coffee
Exposure to roasting and green coffee sourcing, sustainable roasting practices, and how to combat exploitation in coffee farming.
Apply
Help us make the breakfast burritos that feed people every day for free.
Every Monday, our Kitchen Crew cooks and prepares the free breakfast we provide to our community. These are the people who are the engine behind our SNAP Breakfast Program, and the real heroes behind the scenes.
Find your spot.
Three ways to give your time. Each form takes about five minutes and swipes up right here.
- Behind the bar
Barista volunteer
Real barista training on a working bar, one four-hour shift a week. No experience needed.
Fill out the barista form - In the kitchen
Kitchen Crew
Mondays in the kitchen, making the breakfast burritos we give away free every day.
Fill out the Kitchen Crew form - Resume Day
Resume team
Once a month, sit down with a guest and build a resume from the work they've already done.
Join the Resume team
Barista Volunteer Form
You're brewing something good.
We'll reach out soon. Thanks for wanting to be part of the crew!
Join the Kitchen Crew.
Help us make the breakfast burritos we give away free, every day, to anyone who needs one. It takes about five minutes to fill out.
You're on the line.
We'll reach out soon. Thanks for wanting to be part of the crew!
Help someone put their work on paper.
Most people who come through here have worked. They just have no document that says so. On Resume Day we sit down together and build one: the shifts, the skills and the references. If you've hired people, or you know how to make a resume read well, we'd love your help.
- Monthly, on Resume Day
- At the shop
- Bring a laptop if you can
Thanks for raising your hand.
We'll email you the next Resume Day date and what to expect.
Here are some FAQs about volunteering.
What will I learn?
This is an on-the-floor training experience inside an operating coffee shop. Volunteers learn by doing: dialing in espresso, building drinks, serving guests, maintaining cafe standards, and developing the confidence to work in professional coffee environments. Training will also include learning sustainable coffee roasting practices, as well as how to combat the exploitation in the coffee farming industry.
Volunteers receive training across the craft and operations of café work, including:
- Espresso workflow and drink building
- Customer service and hospitality
- Café cleanliness, closing/opening routines, and workflow standards
- Exposure to roasting and green coffee sourcing education
What is the time commitment?
This is a 4-hour shift per week volunteer program. During the week, our shifts are either 7:30am–11am or 11am–2:30pm. The weekends have a slightly different schedule, 9am–2:30pm.
Is this program for me?
This program is for people who want to learn specialty coffee in a real setting, while also being part of a team that serves our city the best we can. Whether you're starting fresh, changing careers, returning to work, or just wanting to be part of a good cause... we'd love to have you as part of the crew!
Do I need to buy anything?
Nope! We provide the training, the aprons and the coffee. Just show up ready to learn and to take care of whoever walks through the door.