Group that Trains Former Foster Children for Coffee Jobs Gets $20,000 Bump

A coffee company that trains former foster children in virtually all operations of a coffee roastery is the recipient of a $20,000 grant from Chevron, part of the oil company’s $345,000 community grant program in Northern California this year.

Covenant Coffee, a working branch of the community group Covenant Community Services in the Bakersfield area, says the money will allow allow more former foster children to be trained as its coffee operations grows.

Covenant currently maintains numerous wholesale accounts with grocers, offices and retail bars, while it also recently added a mobile espresso bar for events. Former foster children on the staff are given opportunities to study all areas of the business, including roasting, barista training, sales and delivery, and food service preparation.

The coffee company was one of only four companies in the area to receive the maximum $20,000 grant.