Belonging is a Verb.
The shop in St. Paul is bright and cheery - despite the wintry mix settling down outside. People are seated with their laptops, with friends, everyone drinking something warm and comforting.
Z and I sit down together. I’ve already told them I think they’re really cool - we share a love for Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire and Queer horror, among other things. They’ve been an outstanding member of our cohort, even recently elected to Wildflyer’s first Youth Advisement Board.
They start by telling me, “I don’t think I’ve missed a single shift. Except for that one time I was sick.” Which is a feat to say the least. He’s sipping peppermint tea and offers to make me something delicious from behind the bar. Too kind.
He really does love his job, and that’s so apparent with how enthusiastic they were to share their experience - and make me that drink.
Z found Wildflyer through The Link. They were told they might like a job here when applications were open for our 2025 Fall Cohort. Already a lover of iced coffee at all times, Z was in. They applied immediately and were thrilled to accept the job. His first day, he could already tell it was a good fit. “Everyone is very inviting and welcoming and shows genuine concern about me as a worker and a human being,” they start.
“In past experiences I had trouble showing up to a job fully, and therefore giving it my all because I don’t feel respected, valued, or a part of the team. Work is a big part of someone’s life and can lead to external negative experiences. We should be valued in all aspects of our life - which is something I felt immediately at my first shift with Wildflyer.”
Z talks about how far they’ve come since the beginning of the cohort. I can sense just how proud they are, and I’m grateful for their willingness to share that side of their professional development. They want to be in film - though they absolutely love coffee and are psyched to continue that work too! He pauses a moment, sharing that he’s currently writing a queer horror film and as a hands-on gemini, is also learning about production, video editing, directing, and more. I ask them how that love translates into their work at Wildflyer:
“I’m getting good at multitasking - but what I really love here is the understanding that I’m a full human being. Wildflyer is more flexible, more understanding. Time outside of shifts is valued and my colleagues know I need to elevate myself with other work. Supportive on and off the clock!”
I follow up on that first question to ask if they’d be willing to shoot some footage of the shop, with an expert eye. We spend the rest of the time together in the shop, creating a reel for social media.
They tell me about Program Lead Annabel’s meal prepping and cooking class in between camera shots. How he’s got a fridge full of prepped meals that make it easier on hard days. How he’s grateful for resume coaching, and mock interviews. How much more confident he is, simply because he started showing up for this job.
Our reel is created, Z provides a voiceover (that he’s written!), and we start finishing up. I congratulate them on their great work and thank them for their film expertise. We get to talking about graduation. Z says it’s bittersweet, but they leave me with something quite profound:
“Graduating this program means I have self-love and respect for myself. I love working here, it feels really good to have done so well. My graduation shows a level of dedication I didn’t know I had. I now know I can accomplish great things because I already have.”
Cheers to that, Z. Big giant cheers.