Students who complete the training program at the Bridge Cafe move into paid employment in food establishments in the community. Fifty-two students have been involved in the Cafe program since December 1995. Currently there are forty-five students in the Bridge Transition Program in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. There is potential for the Cafe program to provide vocational training for more students in the Bridge Program and for students from other high schools in the district to train in the Bridge Cafe Program. The effectiveness of the Cafe program is measured by the number of students who are able to train in the program and find jobs in the community.
Most students find jobs in food preparation.
All the students who train in the Bridge Cafe learn important job skills to prepare them for work in the community. The Cafe Project began in December 1995 with the initial funds to startup provided by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District to purchase materials and equipment. The Cafe has been operating from revenue generated from customers who come to the Cafe to have lunch or buy coffee and pastries. The funds from the grant were used to buy needed supplies for the Cafe for the 1999-2000 school year. These included a cash register, a commercial coffee carafe, and a set of knives.