FEATURE PHOTO COURTESY OF PRODIGY COFFEE PRODIGY COFFEE APPRENTICESHIPS SERVE DISENGAGED YOUTH STORY BY FRANK DEANGELI IN DENVER, coffee is never difficult to find. Most neighborhoods are host to several cafes, each with its own distinct aesthetic, menu, and product. Prodigy Coffee in Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood has a unique way of setting itself apart: focusing on community service. Founded in 2015, the nonprofit’s mission has been centered around professional development for youths from historically underserved Denver neighborhoods. Prodigy seeks to bolster mindsets and skills to ensure sustainable long-term economic mobility and wellness for its employees, whom they refer to as apprentices. The organization’s core program is a 12- to 18-month apprenticeship for disenfranchised and disengaged 18 to 24-year-olds to learn coffee shop basics, managerial practices, and life skills. Prodigy was created by a group of career educators who noticed flaws in how traditional education and professional structures prepare adolescents for the workplace. “We hear from our employer partners that high school graduates are consistently woefully unprepared for a work environment. School doesn’t exactly mirror what you can expect for culture and norms in the workplace,” said Jeslin Shahrezaei, Prodigy’s executive director. The apprenticeship program begins with a three-day paid training, where aspiring apprentices learn coffee shop basics and familiarize themselves with Prodigy’s mission and process. After this, between four and six trainees are offered the one-year apprenticeship role, but all trainees earn one or two industry-recognized certifications, regardless. The full program offers around 1,000 hours of professional development in traditional coffee shop roles but distinguishes itself from a typical employment experience with the wrap-around services it includes for participants. These include case management, mental health counseling, financial literacy classes, art therapy, and more — all provided at no cost. Currently, around 77% of apprentices hail from Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods, but Shahrezaei said that recruitment is not limited to these areas. “We really take young people from everywhere,” Shahrezaei said. “We just want to work with the young adults that are going to have the toughest time finding success in a traditional work institution, prioritizing young people who are disengaged.” The Prodigy model acts as a gentler introduction to the workforce for those who haven’t found success in careers or higher education. Nobody is ever fired — in difficult circumstances, apprenticeships are paused until an individual is ready to reengage. Recruitment has yet to be a concern for Prodigy’s apprentice program. Most recruits hear about the program from current and former participants, and in 2024, 225 youths applied for the 30 available positions. “Having young people vouch for us in the community has been a resounding recruitment effort — it really showcases the trust and commitment we get from our apprentices,” said Shahrezaei. Engaging in the program seems to lead to a number of positive outcomes for apprentices, both personal and professional. A significant percentage of participants self6 DENVER VOICE March 2025
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