Nearly every Friday morning, the members of the STRIVE program at Fallston are hard at work making coffee for various staff across the High School. This Friday morning coffee shop is called Garbucks, and to the baristas and customers it’s serving, it means much more than just any regular coffee shop.
Garbucks is a coffee shop for school staff and is run by students in the STRIVE program. In case you didn’t know, STRIVE is a program in which students with disabilities learn general life skills in a modified classroom. The ultimate goal of STRIVE is to help transition these students to live their life as independently as possible. So, Garbucks is a great way for students to learn how to do tasks like making coffee or fulfilling orders, while also having fun and being able to share the things they make with others.
The idea for Garbucks was originally started by Transition Resource Itinerant Mrs. Sara Fratrik at a different school, but when she came to Fallston, she brought the idea of adding a coffee shop here. “We talked to Mr. Collins, and he was all for it,” she said. “Then we sent it out to staff and… we actually got a lot of customers, so the staff is really awesome and supportive of us.”
Customers of Garbucks also seem to enjoy the coffee shop. “I love it!” says Mrs. Garfinkel. “I love getting it, it’s a nice surprise on Fridays and I love getting to talk to the students that make it and bring it to us.” Mrs. Garfinkel isn’t the only fan, though. Mrs. McLeod is also a fan of her Garbucks subscription: “I love it…I order hot chocolate, and I look forward to it every week.”
All in all, Garbucks is a great example of Fallston’s supportive community. With great drink options, enthusiastic baristas, and supportive customers, Garbucks is a great start to everybody’s Friday morning.
