Arboretum Coffee

Maria’s Journey: From Isolation to Belonging

When Maria arrived in Northern Colorado from Venezuela, she carried dreams of safety, belonging, and opportunity. But like many immigrants, she encountered significant barriers: navigating an unfamiliar culture, learning a new language, and finding a job that provided more than survival. But these challenges didn’t define her. What defined Maria was her unwavering commitment to community and her belief in a brighter future.

But Maria’s story didn’t end there.

When she joined Arboretum Coffee’s apprenticeship program, made possible by donors like you, she found more than a job. She discovered a safe, welcoming space where she could learn job skills, build relationships, and gain confidence. Her natural ability to connect with people became her greatest asset, not only helping her excel in her role but also uplifting those around her. Maria flourished, developing skills as a barista, gaining life skills through mentorship, and building a community that believed in her potential. Today, she’s a leader and mentor, helping others find the same opportunities and advocating for the power of community.

The Problem We’re Solving

The resettlement system leaves refugees and immigrants with few options, forcing them into unsafe and undignified work that limits their ability to grow. They often lack the connections, skills, and support they need to break out of this cycle and thrive in their new communities.

The Solution We Provide

At Arboretum Coffee, we’re dismantling these barriers. Through our paid apprenticeship program, refugees and immigrants gain:

• Career Skills: Training in barista, hospitality, and management roles, transferable to a variety of industries.

• Life Skills: Mentorship and classes in financial literacy, workplace culture, and career preparation.

• Community Connections: A safe space to build relationships, grow social capital, and integrate into the local culture.

Each apprentice earns a living wage while gaining the tools they need to succeed.

Your Gift is the Key to Change

Every gift you make to Arboretum Coffee helps refugees and immigrants like Maria move from isolation to independence, belonging, and the ability to contribute fully to our community. 

• $32: Provides an apprentice with essential life-skills training, covering food safety, workplace culture, and customer service.

• $68: Funds one month of personalized mentorship.

• $150: Equips an apprentice with real-world, hands-on experience during a full training shift where they can build connections and practice English.

• $400: Covers a career preparation or financial literacy course for one apprentice.

• $700: Provides all job training and class materials for one apprentice for a month.

• $1,600: Sponsors a full month of apprenticeship for one individual, including wages, training, and mentorship.

Why Now?

As we navigate a changing political landscape under the new administration, refugees and immigrants face mounting challenges. Policy shifts and reductions in support systems risk deepening the barriers to opportunity, making it even harder for immigrants to find dignified work and integrate into their communities. Your support is more critical than ever to ensure Arboretum Coffee can continue dismantling these barriers and advocating for a more equitable future.

By giving today, you’re standing up for opportunity and inclusion at a time when it’s desperately needed. Together, we can ensure no one has to navigate these challenges alone and build a stronger, more welcoming Northern Colorado.

You can also mail a check to: Arboretum Coffee, 221 W Prospect Road #100, Fort Collins, CO 80526.

Thank you for joining us in building a community where everyone belongs.