What does it take to run a successful business?
For the students in FACCES’ Life Ready Teens (LRTs) program, it’s learned through experience.
Every time the Saturday Café opens, our teens step into an educational setting with real roles that challenge them to think critically, communicate effectively, solve problems, and work together. More than serving great food and coffee, they’re gaining practical experience that prepares them for future careers, entrepreneurship, and life.
Learning by Doing
Saturday Café’s educational experience allows teens to see what it takes to operate a business from the inside out.
Students don’t simply help in the kitchen; they take ownership of the entire café experience. From brainstorming seasonal menu ideas and preparing meals to crafting specialty coffees and lattes, operating the register, managing customer interactions, and keeping the café running smoothly, every responsibility becomes a valuable learning opportunity.
Along the way, they’re developing skills that employers and entrepreneurs alike value, including:
- Leadership and teamwork
- Customer service and communication
- Culinary and food preparation
- Point-of-sale operations
- Time management and organization
- Creative problem-solving
- Entrepreneurship and business fundamentals
They’re real experiences with real customers, helping students build confidence while preparing them for whatever path they choose next.
Serving a Community with Purpose
One of the most meaningful lessons our teens learn is that great service goes beyond preparing a meal.
Every Saturday, they welcome and serve people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences, learning how to create positive interactions, adapt to different situations, and represent themselves with professionalism and care.
These moments teach empathy, responsibility, and the importance of building community qualities that are just as valuable as any technical skill.
From the Café to the Cookbook
The learning didn’t stop at the café doors.
From January to June, our Life Ready Teens and Youth-Led Farmers’ Market interns collaborated to create a cookbook featuring recipes inspired by many of the café’s favorite dishes. Guided by the FACCES pillars: Food, Education, Mental Wellness, Physical Health, and Legacy Development, the cookbook reflects the creativity, teamwork, and practical skills students have developed throughout the program.
Each recipe has been prepared, tested, and refined to ensure families can recreate these favorites at home with confidence.
You’re Invited: Visit the Saturday Café
Saturday Café Hours @ FACCES:
July 11 & July 25, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2515 Lockbourne Rd. Columbus, OH 43207
Every visit provides another opportunity for our students to strengthen their skills, gain confidence, and continue learning through real-world experience.
Kids Eat Free!
FACCES is proud to participate in the Kids Eat Free Program, helping ensure children have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer.
Free meals are available for all children and youth ages 1–18 during the following times:
- Monday–Thursday: 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
We believe some of life’s greatest lessons are learned through meaningful experiences. The Saturday Café gives Life Ready Teens the chance to build practical skills, discover new talents, and gain the confidence that comes from real responsibility.
We invite families to stop by, enjoy a meal, and experience the impact of a program that is investing in both today’s children and tomorrow’s leaders!
