The Coffee Oasis

The coffee oasis started because we knew we needed to do something about the brokenness of the youth in our community. And when we found it, we thought, what a great connection, our combination, a place where youth can hang out and also a business that at the same time can provide job training and jobs and a gathering place all amongst. And so that was the beginning of what became the coffee oasis. The need we face in our community is huge, but it's hidden. If you look at the statistics, there are hundreds of homeless youth in Kitsap County, let alone the street and the broken and the hurting youth. And so the need is huge. Just from the fact that just this past year, we had contact with over 3,000 youth in Kitsap County ourselves that are hurting the broken youth. But it'simply acceptance. My time here has been really one of the bests I've ever had. And I honestly wouldn't be where I am in my life if it wasn't for the coffee oasis. They're not necessarily on the streets or sleeping in tents in the woods. They're what is called couch surfing. And so they're bouncing around from one friend's house to another friend's house, wearing out their welcome until finally maybe they do end up at a place But until then, there's hundreds of youth that have left their homes because of abuse or violence and are bouncing around and trying to find refuge and hope. The coffee oasis exists to see the healing of individuals and communities through impactful youth programs supported by successful coffee businesses. Everybody's just really sweet and kind. And it's I was so used to But that's not how it is here. It's We had never run a social service organization. We'd never run a business. And so we had a crash course in learning how to do all of those. But being called to do it and being excited to do it, we learned very quickly and painfully for months and then for years how to this thing, the coffee oasis would evolve to be this model that it has become.