The Pirate’s Pier Cafe: Together we shine, one cup at a time!

The Pirate’s Pier Café has become a hub of connection and learning at Palisades High School. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., it’s a place where students, faculty and staff gather for a tasty beverage, a quick snack and a friendly smile.

The café is a signature piece of The Journeys Program, giving students with disabilities hands-on experience and meaningful workforce preparation in a supportive, real-world setting. From managing inventory, prepping food and operating the cash register, to providing customer service, cleaning up and receiving feedback on their performance, students gain confidence and independence through their daily responsibilities.

The cafe is extremely popular with the students, faculty and staff. Their homemade chocolate chip cookies are freshly baked on site daily and sell out every morning. Even the layout of the shop has been optimized for efficiency and student interaction. What was initially a self-serve model became a customer engagement focus when they moved the counter and food items so that the students working would have quality face time and opportunities for communication with their customers.

Each student employee completes an application and interviews for their position — an important first step toward future employment beyond high school. As the school year progresses, they rotate positions as they gain experience, all while practicing teamwork, responsibility and communication. Working at the Pirate’s Pier also creates a unique opportunity outside of the classroom to build interpersonal skills and form friendships with their peers.

Check out our highlight video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uC5FiRk0t6iFFL-_mlRimQkCsRN3jCmg/view?usp=sharing