Elpis Enterprises continues to build our partnerships with coffee shops throughout the Upper Midwest, including numerous coffee shops in Wisconsin.
One of those coffee shops is located in West Bend, The Hub: Good Social Brews. The folks at The Hub first met Elpis at a Midwest vendor show in Washington County, Wisconsin, and were immediately intrigued by Elpis’ mission to provide job training for at-risk youth.
“We were very moved by Elpis’ mission of helping homeless youth engage with the workforce in such an empathetic way,” said Jen Gerber, Director of Development at the volunteer center of Washington County. “We loved Elpis’s mission, and we wanted to be a part of that.”
What makes The Hub different from other coffee shops that partner with Elpis? The Hub is owned and operated by the Volunteer Center of Washington County and is majority staffed by non-profit partners and volunteers throughout Washington County, Wisconsin.
The hub does have a few employees who help train the volunteers in their roles, but otherwise, they rely on the volunteers to run their day-to-day operations, including baristas, bakers, and other food prep roles. Gerber says Washington County opted to create these opportunities through a coffee shop as a way to not only provide more unique volunteer opportunities for community members, but also support over 60 non-profits within their community as well, with a tip jar benefit.
“Our volunteer baristas, bakers, food preparers, and hosts work alongside a small professional staff to prepare drinks, bake fresh pastries, welcome customers, and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. These dedicated volunteers are the heart of the café, contributing their time and talents to ensure every guest enjoys a great experience while making a positive impact in the community.”
“Customers enjoy fair-trade coffee, locally sourced food, and handcrafted beverages knowing that their support helps sustain the Volunteer Center’s mission.”
The Hub’s community tip jar benefits several non-profit organizations such as Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Casa Guadalupe, and The Welcome Network, which serve at-risk youth and families. Elpis’s reusable coffee bean tote bags fit in as another mechanism to support another non-profit outside the community, while exposing our own mission throughout the Upper Midwest.
Having another partner from out of state continues to help both Elpis and the Hub grow in their community impact.
“The bags are popular with our customers, and they are beautifully made! They stand out in our sale merchandise, and it’s always wonderful to be able to connect the customer to Elpis’ mission. That’s what we do. We connect other nonprofit organizations and their missions to people for social good!”
