June 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

Fun, Snacks, Inclusion and Coffee - All In One Place

Hudson High School’s Sweet Sensations Cafe

BY BY DEBORAH RILEY

Within the halls of Hudson High School is the Sweet Sensations Cafe. On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings the cafe is open for students and staff to stop in and enjoy an array of hot or cold beverages and delicious fresh made baked goods. For those who are unable to make it to the cafe, they can catch the Sweet Sensations Coffee Cart outside the Media Center, which has the same hot and cold beverage choices and the same fresh baked goods sold in the cafe. Orders can also be placed in advance and delivered to meetings. Students gather in the cafe to enjoy their drinks and food while socializing, reading, and playing games.

Sweet Sensations Cafe is run by students in the Special Education program at Hudson High School. The cafe was created by Intervention Specialists Ginger Belnap, Naomi Ersoff, and Erin Quinn in 2007 and was funded through a grant from the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation. Currently, students from the classes of Corey Barnes, Cindy Crooks, and Kristen Stonestreet assist with the cafe as well.

The purpose of Sweet Sensations Cafe is to expose students to basic job skills while also working on functional life skills. With the assistance of the Intervention Specialists and Paraprofessionals, students operate every aspect of the cafe. Students inventory items, make supply lists, shop for needed items, prepare and package baked goods for sale, operate the cash registers, make the hot drinks, and balance the registers at the end of the day. Students are scheduled for shifts and are expected to be in “uniform” wearing Sweet Sensations shirts, aprons, or chef coats while working in the cafe or running the cart.

Some of the behindthe-scenes operations of the coffee shop, such as inventory, baking, and shopping, are incorporated into lessons during academic and Work Study classes. Students take their supply lists and shop for items weekly, making purchases for the cafe with the assistance of school staff. Fresh baked goods are prepared in the Living Lab at the high school by students who learn about following recipes, food preparation, and kitchen safety. Speech and Occupational therapies are often incorporated into working at the cafe as well. Uniforms were made available through a grant from the PTO, and the Sweet Sensations logo was placed on the uniforms by students who participate in the Hudson High School Maker Space, which is run by Andrew Robitaille.

Through their participation in the cafe, students are learning skills surrounding money, budgeting, purchasing, planning, cooking, kitchen safety, following a work schedule, dressing appropriately, and communication that will follow them throughout their life. Working in the cafe builds their confidence, allows them to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility, and also helps build a connection to their typical peers in the school.

TESTIMONIALS FOR SWEET SENSATIONS CAFE

“We are so grateful to have the Sweet Sensations Coffee Shop at Hudson High School and the opportunities it has provided for our students to engage in authentic vocational and social experiences. Sweet Sensations was originally made possible due to a generous grant from Peg’s Foundation (formerly known as the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation). We were able to create an incredible space for our students to practice functional living and vocational skills. This inclusive environment has become a place to gather, connect, build friendships and practice valuable skills.” –Kelly Kempf, Director of Pupil Services for Hudson City Schools

“The Sweet Sensations coffee shop provides not only a great service to our building as a whole, but the real-world experience of the students who produce and manage the shop is invaluable. We are so proud of our students and the staff that makes Sweet Sensations a success!” –Mike Miller, Hudson High School Principal

“Our daughter, Raina (10th grade), first and foremost enjoys working in the Sweet Sensations Cafe. Being a very social person, it gives her the opportunity to interact weekly with staff and students she may not otherwise see regularly. Raina has gained excellent vocational skills and experiences that will translate into the ‘real word’ as she seeks employment after graduation. She is learning how to use functional math in everyday life, and learning customer service. The cafe offers her different opportunities to learn a variety of job skills, as she has worked as a barista and a cashier. Raina also participates in preparation and planning for the menu as her group shops each week for ingredients at the local Acme or Giant Eagle. These trips encourage her to use her adaptive aids to comparison shop, and learn the layout of a grocery store. It also teaches her how to budget money. Raina has gained so many wonderful skills over the past two years. The Sweet Sensations Cafe is an excellent program, with so many benefits to all students involved.” – Jennifer Kubinski

“Maddie (12th grade) enjoys working at the Sweet Sensations Cafe and tells us at home who came in and what they bought. She loves seeing a variety of people from her school and the chance to interact with them. Through the years, Maddie has done different tasks, from shopping for ingredients, making the cookies, and then working at the cafe to greet customers and make orders for them. We’ve noticed that Maddie’s customer service skills really shine now. She understands the importance of being friendly and welcoming. The cafe is a highlight of her school time.” –Sean

you are interested in touring this program or starting a similar program of your own, please contact Ginger Belnap at: belnapg@hudson.k12.oh.us