LYNN — A record of 60 people aged 17-24 participated in The Haven Project’s onside job training program at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Co. in 2025.
The program, which launched in 2016, takes place at the cafe on Munroe Street, where 100% of the proceeds go to The Haven Project. While there is a cafe manager and two baristas on staff, everyone else behind the counter is a Haven Project client.
“It’s really a community gem,” Haven Project Executive Director Tracey Friedman said of the coffee shop. “(But) we’re not in existence to run a coffee shop; we’re in existence to run a job training program.”
The job training program teaches young people experiencing homelessness foundational workplace skills such as communication, time management, and understanding workplace norms.
Friedman said that young unhoused individuals often face barriers with maintaining jobs due to lack of stable housing, transportation, and identification. Therefore, participants in the program also receive resume support, interview preparation, and career exploration to help identify long-term goal options outside of the service industry.
“We want to make it as low-barrier as possible. There’s this line of domino effects that has led to the instability that they’re facing. They’re just kind of trying to navigate their way through it at a very young age, and without the resources and help to do so,” Friedman said.
She added, “(So) it’s not just about getting the job. It’s about keeping it, building income, and building independence. That’s a journey, and we walk alongside them through it.”
As for the turnout of 2025’s job training program at The Haven Project, Friedman attributed the high enrollment number to expanded housing capacity, increased staffing, and growing awareness of youth homelessness in Lynn.
“Lynn has a very high number of youth who are on their own, and this is something that often goes under the radar,” Friedman said. “(But) with our outreach, we were able to reach more young people (in 2025).”
