Fund FTP Coffee: offering better jobs after jail
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We need your help to get For The People Coffee & Books off the ground!
Will you help us?
For The People Coffee and Books (FTP) is a nonprofit bookstore and coffee shop with a social justice mission: to employ, educate, and uplift previously incarcerated people so they will develop the necessary tools to get back on their feet and reintegrate into society. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and caring workplace environment that is free of judgment and heavy on support for a long disenfranchised group of people to finally have an encouraging presence on their path to success.
We are not just another coffee shop with good intentions. On our team, we have 3 coffee professionals with over 30 years of combined experience and a small business advisor with 10+ years of experience. We came together to start For The People after our training programs at Rikers Island proved to be dramatically benefiting the morale of our students. Procreate Coffee NYC has been offering a comprehensive barista training program at Rikers Island (click for link to NYTimes article) since 2017 and Katie's small business program, Entrepreneurship 101, was added in 2020. Together, we make the perfect team dedicated to this cause.
For The People won't be just another regular retail job either. Fundamental to our core values is our belief that a living wage is crucial for economic advancement and personal stability which is why the starting pay for all of our employees is $22 an hour. We will provide comprehensive entry-level job training services paired with on the job educational opportunities so our employees can gain the valuable skills they need to gain long-term employment in their community with future opportunities for stable careers. We will take an innovative full mind and body approach through working with various other organizations to ensure that our employees have their basic needs met such as access to permanent housing and access to low-cost or free mental health services.
We believe everyone deserves a second chance and that a safe, supportive environment is the best way to ensure personal success and foster self-confidence through economic independence. Above all, our biggest priority will be to support our employees by establishing trusting relationships and restoring their sense of dignity by treating everyone with respect and forgiveness.
The funds we raise will be used for:
-Legal services to establish 501(c)3 status with the IRS with a timeline of achieving nonprofit status by end of year 2021
-Physical storefront & buildout (equipment such as refrigerators, etc)
-Inventory
-Hiring
We intend to secure a location and begin operation while we are working toward nonprofit status.
Do you have more questions before you donate? Help us build a better GoFundMe by telling us what you want to see on this page!
Will you help us?
For The People Coffee and Books (FTP) is a nonprofit bookstore and coffee shop with a social justice mission: to employ, educate, and uplift previously incarcerated people so they will develop the necessary tools to get back on their feet and reintegrate into society. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and caring workplace environment that is free of judgment and heavy on support for a long disenfranchised group of people to finally have an encouraging presence on their path to success.
We are not just another coffee shop with good intentions. On our team, we have 3 coffee professionals with over 30 years of combined experience and a small business advisor with 10+ years of experience. We came together to start For The People after our training programs at Rikers Island proved to be dramatically benefiting the morale of our students. Procreate Coffee NYC has been offering a comprehensive barista training program at Rikers Island (click for link to NYTimes article) since 2017 and Katie's small business program, Entrepreneurship 101, was added in 2020. Together, we make the perfect team dedicated to this cause.
For The People won't be just another regular retail job either. Fundamental to our core values is our belief that a living wage is crucial for economic advancement and personal stability which is why the starting pay for all of our employees is $22 an hour. We will provide comprehensive entry-level job training services paired with on the job educational opportunities so our employees can gain the valuable skills they need to gain long-term employment in their community with future opportunities for stable careers. We will take an innovative full mind and body approach through working with various other organizations to ensure that our employees have their basic needs met such as access to permanent housing and access to low-cost or free mental health services.
We believe everyone deserves a second chance and that a safe, supportive environment is the best way to ensure personal success and foster self-confidence through economic independence. Above all, our biggest priority will be to support our employees by establishing trusting relationships and restoring their sense of dignity by treating everyone with respect and forgiveness.
The funds we raise will be used for:
-Legal services to establish 501(c)3 status with the IRS with a timeline of achieving nonprofit status by end of year 2021
-Physical storefront & buildout (equipment such as refrigerators, etc)
-Inventory
-Hiring
We intend to secure a location and begin operation while we are working toward nonprofit status.
Do you have more questions before you donate? Help us build a better GoFundMe by telling us what you want to see on this page!
Fundraising team (4)
Jessa Winn
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Katie Schitti
Beneficiary
Izzy Blank
Team member
Justin Mcmillan
Team member
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