Wildflyer Coffee

Wildflyer Coffee is a coffee company that hires and trains youth experiencing homelessness throughout the Twin Cities, giving them the tools and skills they need to leave homelessness, achieve self-sufficiency and build the future they deserve.

Every day, there are approximately 7,500 youth ages 16-24 in Minnesota that experience homelessness. These are people's sons or daughters, siblings, and friends, who are not only fighting to fit in with their peers but trying to find basic needs like food and shelter. The likelihood is high that these vulnerable youth will experience untreated mental health disorders, struggle with substance use, engage in survival sex or trafficking, become victims of violent crime or suicide.

The youth we've seen in our employment program are resilient and motivated. They attend high school in Minneapolis while trying to find housing and even walk or bike to their shifts from miles outside the city. They are determined...and we want to show them that same dedication.

Youth report the most significant barrier they face when coming out of homelessness is a lack of stable employment. At Wildflyer Coffee, we offer a training program and other resources to not only help them meet their basic needs but to help them live a stable and fulfilling life. We BELIEVE they can do great things...actually, we know they can because we've seen it.

COVID-19 dramatically altered an already challenging reality for youth experiencing homelessness, and youth are facing higher barriers than ever before. We are working hard to increase program capacity and keep creating employment for those who need it most. Right now, we need to raise $10,000, which will allow us to continue to provide our youth with the resources and skills they need to leave homelessness for good. In addition to paid work, our youth need housing assistance, mental health referrals, skills coaching, education help, and future career planning. It's crucial to support our youth holistically so they graduate from our program fully equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed. 

When you donate, you are standing with us in the fight against youth homelessness. You are showing you believe in the future of our youth. We're coming out of a tough time in our community, but we, and our youth, are ready for new possibilities and potentials.

Samaira's Story

When I turned 18 I had to leave home--I really struggled there and it caused a chaotic environment for everybody. I got kicked out of school and my case manager set me up with a shelter in North Minneapolis. 

Living in shelters is really hard--everyone is going through something. I ended up getting into a fight with my roommate and living outside for a bit, until I ended up contacting my parents. It was the first time I had talked to them since I got kicked out of their house, but I knew I needed a stable support system around me. 

I’ve jumped from shelter to shelter, I’ve been everywhere. But I’ve changed a lot. Shelters are hard...you’re in a room with a bunch of people you’ve never met and people aren’t at their best. There are a lot of problems and no one is really in their right mind. 

One of the things I’ve really struggled with is keeping a schedule. Even at the homeless shelters, you’re outside because you have to leave in the morning and can’t be back until around 6. So everyone still isn’t sure where to go. It’s hard to concentrate.

What I want people to know about youth experiencing homelessness is that we also deal with a lot of mental illness, and we’re already in a situation where it’s so easy to give up. It’s not easy getting access to resources when you’re living on the street.  I want people to have compassion...instead of the thought that we put ourselves in this situation, I want people to know it’s not that easy. We’re young adults...I don’t want to shut my life down but I can’t get comfortable. I’ve slept in so many different places that my body can’t relax, I’m in survival mode.

Everyone has been so helpful. Our program manager Kenzie has been really active in trying to find me resources to help with the things I’ve been through...even helping me trying to get a phone, which is a huge safety thing for me.

I’m looking forward to graduating from high school. I’m really trying to build a routine and schedule. After I graduate I’d love to go to cosmetology school. I’ve wanted to learn how to do hair since I was in middle school, so I’m really looking forward to that.