OSKALOOSA, Iowa– The Oskaloosa Spirit Cafe opened in May 2024 and has since taught dozens of students hands-on work experience.

The cafe was originally introduced by Special Education Work Experience Teacher, Sarah DeRonde. Her goal was to make a workplace where students of all ability levels can gain work experience.

Now, the cafe is a stable in the community, drawing crowds during its working hours.

According to DeRonde, about 20 to 35 students of all ability-levels work at the cafe every week. Most of the students start working at the cafe with little to no previous work experience, but they get to learn valuable lessons in specialties like the culinary arts, marketing, management, accounting, and more.

Whether they work behind the scenes making food or they’re at the counter taking orders, the cafe is their classroom.

“It’s been fun to see the kids and know where they’ve come, and like I’ve really gotten to know a lot of the kids’ strong points and what they really like to do. For example, our trimester just switched, so we were able to move some kids into some jobs and positions that we think they’ll be successful in,” said DeRonde.

She said having students experience different job roles in the cafe will set them up for future success. DeRonde said she is helping students find jobs in the community over the summer.

The Oskaloosa Spirit Cafe is located at 104 1st Avenue East in Oskaloosa, and it’s open from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.