If you’ve ever been welcomed at Mychal’s Café by a friendly face behind the counter, there’s a good chance it was Elsie. At 25 years old, Elsie is a Path to Independence student and Café employee who describes herself as “very, very happy” to be nominated for this spotlight. Her favorite Mychal’s memories include making new friends and, of course, getting hired at the Café, her very first job.
Elsie has been part of the Mychal’s community for years, starting in our After School Program before moving into Path to Independence. She began Café training back when the location was at Torrance Memorial, learning foundational skills like washing dishes and making drinks. Today, she works two days a week at Mychal’s Café as a front-of-house barista and server, serving customers and keeping things running smoothly.
One of Elsie’s biggest challenges was learning how to work the register and count money. “I had a lot of trouble with it at first,” she says, “but now I can do it!” With support from Café leaders Doug and Paloma, Elsie practiced, built confidence, and mastered the skill. Now, the register is one of her favorite parts of the job.
In fact, Elsie loves being the cashier, making coffees, and preparing customer favorites like raspberry lemonade. According to Café Manager Paloma, “Elsie was hesitant working the register at first, but now she trains other students and staff with confidence.” The skills she has gained, including customer service, money handling, multitasking, and communication, are the same skills needed in cafés and workplaces everywhere.
Outside of work, Elsie keeps busy doing what she loves most, acting. A big Disney fan with dreams of becoming an actress, she is currently rehearsing for Snow White, where she is playing Snow White herself. She is not nervous, just excited. When she is not rehearsing, Elsie enjoys spending time with her family, shopping with her sisters, cooking chicken quesadillas at home, and hanging out with her dog Milo, a Sheepadoodle who famously won the Santa Stroll dog costume contest dressed as the Grinch.
Elsie says she is saving her money for “something special,” even if she has not decided what that is yet. Her journey at Mychal’s Café is about more than earning a paycheck. It is about confidence, independence, and discovering what is possible. Elsie wants people to know that she is really happy to have a job here, and we could not be happier to have her as part of our Café team.
