About

For The People Coffee (FTP) is a not-for-profit combination book store cafe with a social justice mission: to employ, educate, and uplift previously incarcerated people so that they will develop the necessary tools to get back on their feet and reintegrate into society. We do this by first ensuring that basic needs are met on a variety of fronts.

Fundamental to our core values is our belief that a living wage is crucial for economic advancement and personal stability which is why the starting pay for all of our employees is $22 an hour. In addition to this compensation, we also provide a small stipend for healthcare benefits as well as for transportation. Our bookstore cafe isn't just another regular retail job; we provide comprehensive entry-level job training services paired with on the job educational opportunities so our employees can gain the valuable skills they need to put towards gaining long-term employment in their community with future opportunities for stable careers.

We take the innovative step of a full mind and body approach through working with various other organizations to ensure that our employees have their basic needs met such as access to permanent housing and access to low-cost or free mental health services. We believe everyone deserves a second chance and that a safe, supportive environment is the best way to ensure personal success and foster self-confidence through economic independence.

But above all, our biggest priority is supporting our employees during this difficult transitional period in their lives. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and caring workplace environment that is free of judgment and heavy on support for a long disenfranchised group of people to finally have an encouraging presence on their path to success.