About Production Client Services Employment Foundation Contact Explore facebook About Us The Good Bean is a welcoming neighborhood coffee shop serving up Starbucks coffee and small bakery items. This social enterprise cafe was developed by VARC, Inc. to provide job training and employment opportunities to those going through recovery in the greater La Crosse area. Through community-based employment, training, and independent skill-building, The Good Bean aims to support participants to overcome employment barriers while earning an income that reinforces self-sustainability. Send referrals to Referrals@varcinc.com. Hours & Location HOURS 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM Monday thru Friday LOCATION Inside the Coulee Recovery Center 933 Ferry Street La Crosse, WI 54601 CONTACT (608) 519-2328 Menu — PDF Version Social Enterprises are organizations that address a basic unmet need or solve a social problem through a market-driven approach. The Good Bean Café was developed with the mission to provide employment opportunities to adults in recovery who experience barriers to employment, and ultimately the mission to reduce relapse and recidivism in our community. In 2018, Coulee Recovery Center built and moved into a new facility on Ferry St. in La Crosse, WI. The new facility was built with a coffee shop in mind as a way to provide a place for fellowship. The Center observed that after support group meetings many of the visitors were going to local coffee shops in the area – often in the middle of the bar district downtown. Founded in 1975, VARC, Inc has over 40 years’ experience as a world-class provider of vocational services in 5 counties throughout Southwest Wisconsin. VARC specializes in a variety of recreational, vocational, and community-oriented and employment-related services aimed at improving the well-being of those served. VARC programs are designed to account for participants’ preferences, goals, and to meet their desired outcomes. The Good Bean Café was developed in 2019 as the result of a collaborative effort between VARC, Inc. and Coulee Recovery Center to enhance access to vocational development opportunities to adults in the recovery community in Coulee Recovery Center’s café space. The café offers a new and inviting place of fellowship and employment, thus providing a path to self-sufficiency in a location that is easy to get too and supports sobriety. The Good Bean Café relies on sales from customers as well as contributions from local community foundations, private, and corporate donations. VARC has greatfully received support from La Crosse Community Foundation, Catalyst Kitchens, WPS Starbucks™, and Moka. To ensure that the training program remains vital and that we expand our capacity in numbers of trainees and positive outcomes, Good Bean Café relies on this support alongside sales revenues. VARC’s Good Bean Cafe is a recovery informed business model that provides a supportive place of employment where adults can work alongside others in various points of their recovery journeys. While gaining valuable occupational skills, participants can overcome employment barriers while also earning an income that reinforces self-sustainability. Trained in recovery informed care, VARC staff are well equipped to support employees during relapse or difficulty. The Good Bean training program utilizes a customizable timeframe based on individual needs. Send referrals to referrals@varcinc.com. VARC's Good Bean Cafe Training Service VARC’s Good Bean Training Program is a multi-phased vocational training program that offers adults in recovery the chance to learn and practice work skills in a supported, recovery-informed environment. The mission of the service is to promote workforce and educational attachment, confidence, and life skills for the training program include formal customer service, barista, and safe training curriculum. At VARC, we believe: Individuals, regardless of the barriers within their lives, have purpose and meaning and deserve the opportunity to contribute to their community. Employment is one of the foundations of building self-esteem, self-worth, self-sufficiency, and a sense of accomplishment. It is also one of the highest contributing factors in developing a sense of community and inclusion. A vocational experience in a friendly neighborhood café An on-the-job experience that trains adults in all aspects of cafe service, customer service, barista skills, and safe food preparation skills. A concurrent vocational workshop that assists adults to explore their unique vocational preferences, deconstruct barriers to employment or education, and plan their next step. Hourly wage, and linkage to employment opportunities in the community. Who is a good candidate for the training program? Adults 18 and over who are in recovery and experience challenges to employment. Adults 18 and over who are in recovery and like the idea of working in a friendly, supported environment, learning to make espresso drinks, and interacting with great customers. What are the outcomes of the training? 100% of training graduates get an introduction to a real-world yet supported work experience. 100% of training graduates are linked to basic resources that support independence. 100% of training graduates are better prepared to enter the workforce and educational settings. Training graduates are linked to subsequent employment. How do I refer a trainee or get more information? For more information or to send a referral, please contact the Recovery Café Supervisor, at 608-519-2320 or Referrals@varcinc.com. MAKE A REFERRAL If you have questions about the model or mission of Good Bean Cafe, please contact Director of Community Services, Niki Steele | nsteele@varcinc.com ABOUT The organizational purpose of VARC, Inc. is to administer a comprehensive and cooperative program for the general wellbeing and advancement of persons with varying abilities. As a dedicated Non-Profit company, VARC, Inc. is a proud and active member of our communities. Notice of Privacy Practices LOCATIONS VARC, Inc. Corporate Office Vernon Division 1133 Nelson Parkway Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-3934 Columbia Division 2520 W. Wisconsin St., Suite 106 Portage, WI 53901 608-424-8741 Jefferson Divison 230 S. Main St., Unit #101 Jefferson WI, 53549 608-424-5206 The Good Bean 933 Ferry Street La Crosse, WI 54601 608-519-2328 Sauk Child & Youth 146 Railroad St., Ste. 200 Reedsburg, WI 53959 608-768-1271 Juneau Division 161 Ensch St. Mauston, WI 53948 608-847-4675 La Crosse Division 1601 Ramsay Pl. La Crosse, WI 54603 608-782-7010 Baraboo Division 414 Broadway, Suite 202A Baraboo, WI 53913 608-351-2182 Adams Division 608-424-2712 Sauk Division 220 Wengel Dr. Reedsburg, WI 53959 608-524-3716 Richland Division 111 Robb Rd. Richland Center, WI 53581 608-647-3850 La Crosse Child and Youth 427 Gillette St. La Crosse, WI 54603 608-796-9190 Monroe Division 402 S. Black River Street Sparta, WI 54656 Client Services: 608-855-5008 Production: 608-855-5001 Vernon Child and Youth 543 W. Maple St. Viroqua, WI 54665 608-638-3081 © 2021 VARC, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Website by Kella Design facebook linkedin instagram