A new barista internship program will give Marin County foster youth hands-on job training at Equator Coffees in Larkspur, led by a coffee professional who is also a foster parent herself.
Devorah Freudiger, director of coffee culture at Equator Coffees, is launching the program through the Marin Foster Care Association (MFCA), where she serves as a board member, according to a Pacific Sun profile published Tuesday, Aug. 11. Specific details on start dates, the number of intern slots and curriculum have not been publicly announced.
Freudiger brings more than 20 years of coffee industry experience to the effort. She grew up in Seattle and landed what she thought would be a temporary gig in 2003.
"I got a summer barista job in 2003 when I thought I was just passing through the Bay Area and that the role would be a fun way to get to know people," Freudiger told the Pacific Sun. "More than 20 years later, I'm still in the Bay Area and still making coffee."
That summer job became a career. Freudiger has worked at Equator Coffees in Marin County for 12 years and splits her time between the Larkspur café at 240 Magnolia Ave. and the Sausalito location.
Her connection to foster care is personal. According to the MFCA leadership page, Freudiger has been a resource parent since spring 2020 and adopted her first placement in winter 2022. Her family remains an active foster home.
The internship pairs Freudiger's industry knowledge with MFCA's existing support network for foster children placed by Marin County DHHS. The nonprofit's Opportunity Project already funds tutoring, enrichment classes, sports programs and camps for eligible youth; the barista program adds a direct career-skills track.
How to get involved
Residents interested in supporting foster youth can volunteer, donate or attend a Lunch & Learn orientation through marinfostercare.org. MFCA's annual Blues & Brews fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 at Pacheco Ranch Winery in Novato. Last year's event raised $450,000 for foster youth and families.
