From Client to Cafe Staff: Trinity-Keyanna’s Journey

Our new barista shares what it means to take on a new role at Erin’s

For many, a cup of coffee is just a routine part of the morning. But at ErinoakKids, Erin’s is proving that a warm welcome is an important part of true connection. Trinity-Keyanna is one of our first baristas, and she is helping to open the cafe at our Halton site. Trinity-Keyanna is also a former client who has come full circle, transitioning from a child receiving care to a valued staff member helping to build community. 

Trinity-Keyanna’s journey with ErinoakKids began when she was just six years old. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, her childhood involved years of treatments. She remembers being pulled out of class to go to appointments, something that was daunting and tedious for her. But when she looks back, she remembers visiting ErinoakKids fondly, turning the feelings of otherness into feelings of belonging when she arrived at our sites.

"Every time I would come to ErinoakKids, I loved the environment," Trinity-Keyanna shares. "I loved the people that I worked with, and their approach to treating children and communicating with families. That is something that has stuck with me for all these years, which is why I wanted to come back and be a part of Erin’s."

Now an adult, Trinity-Keyanna is stepping into a brand-new role at Erin’s as one of two cafe staff - our first ever ErinoakKids baristas. And Trinity-Keyanna’s eagerness to make an impact is palpable, and she sees the cafe as a vital hub for connection.

"I can tell there's a lot of excitement around Erin’s, which affirms my belief that these cafes will be a staple at ErinoakKids, and in the lives of our clients and customers. I truly think this is the missing puzzle piece to creating an even more well-rounded environment for the staff, the families, the clients, and everyone else."

Trinity-Keyanna envisions the cafe as a sanctuary where parents can pause and chat while dropping off their children, where volunteers can connect, and where staff can recharge without leaving the building.

Returning to ErinoakKids as an employee has given Trinity-Keyanna a new perspective on the organization that shaped her early life. As a child, the magic of ErinoakKids "just happened." Today, she recognizes the immense effort that goes into creating that kind of environment. "Now that I'm actually a part of all of this, I know that there has to be passion in it. You really have to enjoy trying to make a change in people's lives, however small or big it may be,” says Trinity-Keyanna. What she looks forward to most in her role as cafe staff is using the communication skills she learned at ErinoakKids and throughout her life to show customers she cares and building trust and warmth with every interaction. 

Trinity tells her story at ErinoakKids' Annual General Meeting

With a natural love for others, honed through her past roles as cashier and camp counsellor, Trinity-Keyanna is ready to help bring this cafe to life. She anticipates a fast-pace and is open to building lasting relationships with regulars. Her hope is to memorize everyone’s orders in just a few weeks. 

"All those years ago, I don’t know if anyone would have thought, 'this one client will come back and want to be a part of ErinoakKids again.' But the team made me want to come back. This is the outcome, and I think it's an amazing one."

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