At Sowers Middle School, students serve more than just coffee. Through a unique student—run coffee cart program, they gain confidence, practice communication, and strengthen their campus community.

Since the fall, the campus has hosted a bi-monthly Coffee Cart experience. Students from multiple special education classrooms and grade levels work together to serve staff members coffee, iced tea, and light snacks at no cost to employees. The program is designed to help students build real-world vocational and social skills in a natural, engaging setting.

Each Coffee Cart day features a selection of hot brewed coffee served with cream and sugar, iced coffee and tea, and a rotation of sweet and salty treats like cookies and trail mixes. Students work together to take orders, prepare trays, and deliver refreshments to teachers across campus, learning how to follow multi-step directions, engage in conversation, make eye contact, and build confidence along the way.

The initiative was started by Speech-Language Pathologist Ylan Chung, who introduced a few small coffee cart days in the spring of 2023 before growing the program with the help of a grant from the Assistance League of Huntington Beach.

“I wanted to increase opportunities for students to practice real-life skills in a way that also brings our school community closer together,” said Chung. “The coffee cart allows students to collaborate, communicate, and navigate campus with purpose and pride.”

Since its inception, the program has become a favorite on campus—for both the students who participate and the staff members who get to interact with them in new ways. Students have learned how to take and deliver orders, prepare items, and engage in friendly conversation with staff across campus.

“At the start of the year, many students didn’t know where classrooms were or how to greet a teacher they hadn’t met,” said Chung. “Now, they’re confidently making deliveries, holding conversations, and working as a team.”

The Coffee Cart program is also supported in part by a generous community partnership with Reborn Coffee Roasters, which provides discounted coffee for the program.

“We’re so grateful for the Assistance League of Huntington Beach and Reborn Coffee for helping make this experience possible for our students,” Chung added.

Looking ahead, Sowers hopes to continue expanding the program, raise even greater awareness of different communication styles, and create more inclusive opportunities for students to connect and thrive.

“It’s a simple act—offering someone coffee and saying hello—but it leaves a lasting impact,” said Chung.

The Sowers Coffee Cart exemplifies how innovative programs empower students and create meaningful moments across campus.