For the past four years, Devoción has been proud to partner with South Bronx United (SBU), a nonprofit using soccer as a vehicle for social change in one of New York City’s most underserved boroughs. Each year, SBU supports more than 1,700 youth and families through sports, education, and workforce development programs. With a 100% high school graduation rate and 94 % college matriculation among its academy students, SBU is helping young people rise in a borough where nearly half of youth live below the poverty line.

For the past four years, Devoción has been proud to partner with South Bronx United (SBU), a nonprofit using soccer as a vehicle for social change in one of New York City’s most underserved boroughs. Each year, SBU supports more than 1,700 youth and families through sports, education, and workforce development programs. With a 100% high school graduation rate and 94 % college matriculation among its academy students, SBU is helping young people rise in a borough where nearly half of youth live below the poverty line.

In 2022, SBU expanded its impact beyond the field with the opening of the Clubhouse Café,a social enterprise coffee shop in the Bronx that creates paid employment and professional training opportunities for young adults. Devoción supported the launch by donating equipment and collaborating on the coffee bar design and setup, laying the foundation for a long-term partnership rooted in skill-building.

As part of our ongoing commitment, Devoción sponsors two cohorts of six students annually to participate in the SBU Café Fellowship. This comprehensive barista training program equips young adults with technical coffee skills, professional equipment, and hands-on experience in a real café environment. The program includes training led by Devoción’s education team and includes everything from coffee origins to espresso extraction, and then six months of gaining hands-on experience working at the Clubhouse Café.

Last year in 2025, a portion of the Fellowship was funded through proceeds from our Nomad Blend, a limited edition coffee released to celebrate the opening of our sixth New York City café. 5% of all sales were reinvested directly into strengthening the Fellowship program, helping expand access and deepen training for future cohorts.

What We’ve Built Together

To date, 24 students have completed the Café Fellowship across four cohorts, with a fifth currently underway. Beyond technical training, the program focuses on career readiness. Fellows participate in mock interviews with Devoción’s District Manager and gain access to a direct job pipeline, including the opportunity to apply for roles within Devoción cafés.

The partnership between Devoción and South Bronx United extends beyond the café. In the past year, our Director of Education joined SBU’s alumni networking panel, sharing insight into career paths within the coffee industry and offering guidance to young professionals navigating their next steps.

Through this partnership, Devoción remains committed to investing in youth, career-building, and mentorship within our community. Together with SBU, we are helping shape the next generation of coffee professionals, grounded in skill, opportunity, and long-term growth.