Hope is one of the essential building blocks to create positive change. Which is why the organization HopeWorks is so aptly named, and deserves to serve as a blueprint for other cities trying to help the less fortunate, especially at-risk youth.

As Herald columnist Julie Muhlstein reported Feb. 7, the latest social enterprise business to blossom from the agency is CafeWorks, a new coffee shop located in the HopeWorks Station building on Broadway in Everett. In 2011, HopeWorks was created as an affiliate of Housing Hope, the grass-roots group that was incorporated in 1987 in response to the need for coordinated help for homelessness and affordable housing issues in Snohomish County. Housing Hope has been helping and innovating since then, with the goal of empowering families and getting them on their feet.

HopeWorks puts the same energy and creativity toward helping homeless and at-risk young people prepare for employment through job skills training. The organization already runs three social enterprises: GroundWorks Landscaping, WaterWorks Irrigation Services and ReNewWorks Home and Décor. Participants are employed for 12-week internships that help them develop skills in their chosen area. Graduates may be hired by HopeWorks or get help finding a job. This model is very successful, as evidenced by the graduates, and those organizations that choose to support Hopeworks, such as Workforce Snohomish, Gates Foundation, Boeing Corporation, JP Morgan Chase and BECU.

The coffee shop is a logical new business and training ground. Manager Eric Huenefeld, who has a human services degree and Starbucks experience, got the shop up and running with the help of two hired baristas. In January, two young people from Cocoon House, which provides housing for homeless and at-risk young people, became paid CafeWorks interns. New interns will join the staff every six weeks, with up to six working at a time, Muhlstein reported. They will learn basic job skills, customer service and of course, how to make espresso drinks.

CafeWorks was made possible by a $500,000 grant from the Employees Community Fund. The Employees Community Fund also awarded a $500,000 grant to FareStart, the Seattle nonprofit that provides culinary job training to homeless people. Ed Petersen, chief strategic officer for Housing Hope and HopeWorks, said the Catalyst Kitchens program that grew out of FareStart is helping start CafeWorks. Starbucks also helped with training and the loan of a coffee brewer. La Marzocco USA in Seattle donated an espresso machine and two coffee grinders.

We urge community members to support all the inspiring HopeWorks enterprises, by patronizing the businesses, and so helping the young people who work there.