The Clubhouse Café: A Social Enterprise Coffee Shop from SBU
South Bronx United is opening the Clubhouse Café on River Avenue and 157th Street, just a couple blocks from Yankee Stadium. A social enterprise coffee shop dedicated to providing real-world job training to young adults will become one of the only neighborhood coffee shops in the Bronx’s Concourse neighborhood.
In order to expand its community impact through employment, job training, and an excellent cafe experience, South Bronx United has partnered with Devoción. As a local NYC roaster, Devoción has distinguished itself across its five locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn by selling the “freshest coffee” available in the U.S. going from farm-to-cup in as little as 10 days. As a certified B-Corp, Devoción’s dedication to supporting the local communities in which they operate aligns perfectly with South Bronx United’s goals for the Clubhouse Café. As part of Devocion’s partnership with South Bronx United, the brand will be providing substantial support including infrastructure, product and training for both full time staff and local youth in training.
“Devoción is thrilled to work with South Bronx United in providing job training and career opportunities to the next generation while making the Clubhouse Café our first partner in the Bronx. South Bronx United already delivers crucial programs to youth and families in the Bronx, so there was no better organization to work with on this,” said Devoción’s Colombian-born CEO Steven Sutton who launched the company in 2006.
Another key partner in the project is Harney & Sons, a family-led fine tea brand with an international reputation and a flagship shop in SoHo. Sully and Vanilla, a South Bronx-based bakery, will be among several vendors providing sweets and pastries. The Clubhouse Café also intends to feature several menu items representative of the international community that South Bronx United serves.
The opening of the Clubhouse Café enables South Bronx United to strengthen its college and career success services through a new workforce development program for underemployed young people, ages 16-24. The program will help participants build job skills, cultivate a potential career, and secure long-term employment through weekly workshops and on-the-job training. During a six-month cohort, program fellows are employed in the Café Fellowship as baristas and food/hospitality staff or on the soccer field as coaches and mentors through the Coaching Corps. Ultimately, the program aims to help fellows gain full-time employment either in food service and hospitality or sports; transition into employment or a training program for another career of interest; or pursue a full-time higher education degree.
Says South Bronx United’s Executive Director and co-founder Andrew So: “We can’t wait to open our doors at the Clubhouse Café. This area has long lacked a spot with a neighborhood feel for residents, workers, and even tourists and fans to stop in for a coffee or tea, for a meetup, or a quick workspace. Now they can do so while also supporting an important cause. With every cup and every purchase, guests will be giving our young adults something they’ve been asking for: job training, professional skills, and a potential entrance into a career.”
The first employment cohort launched at the beginning of July with 12 young people, including seven who are participating in the Café Fellowship. They started their barista training at Devoción’s state-of-the-art education lab in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They plan to be behind the counter soon when the Clubhouse Café opens. The Clubhouse Café is tentatively set to open in late August at 812 River Avenue.