Community Uplift Partnership

Background Statement

In 2013, CUP was established to break the cycle of poverty by offering mentorship and on-the-job life skills training in Adams County, specifically in Commerce City, Colorado. The organization began its work by supporting families in need through a food bank, one-on-one mentorship, and life skills classes. Our founder recognized a critical gap in support for young people aging out of the foster care system. At age 18, many of these individuals experience an abrupt end to the structured support they rely on, leaving them unprepared for independent living. They often lack education, resources, and a strong network, the kinds of support systems many people depend on when transitioning into adulthood. To address this need, CUP started with a simple but impactful approach: helping one student at a time.

As the program grew, CUP recognized the need to expand its impact by offering structured classes and support to reach more students at once.

This growth led to the creation of BEYOND the Job Training, a mentorship program, and the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), which provides life skills classes. In 2018, CUP opened its first coffee house as a hub for these initiatives. The coffee house primarily served students aged 16-24, helping them “level up” to living-wage jobs, self-employment, or college. CUP’s demographic expanded beyond foster youth to include all young people navigating the transition from high school to adulthood. Recognizing that poverty is not solely financial but also affects the mind and heart, the program grew from serving three students to over 60 within the next few years.

By 2022 and 2023, CUP had opened three additional coffee houses: Anythink Coffee House inside the library at 120th and Holly, Taza Coffee House in the Adams County Government Building in Brighton, and Greyhound Grounds Coffee House located within the Landing Apartment Buildings at 6230 Glencoe Street. These joined CUP’s flagship store, Reunion Coffee House, in Commerce City, Colorado. CUP takes pride in securing these spaces rent-free and forming valuable partnerships with entities such as the public library, local government, Delwest, and Oakwood Homes.

Today, CUP’s coffee houses serve as more than just workplaces. They provide space for 35 mentees to work alongside mentors, fostering growth and wisdom through meaningful connections while participating in the YEP class. CUP’s innovative model continues to empower young people, equipping them with the tools and support needed to overcome barriers and build sustainable futures.