Thanks to students, Manvel gets own coffee shop

MANVEL, TX (KTRK) -- Some special needs students in Manvel are serving up a special jolt for people around town.

The Manvel High School students are running their own coffee and espresso bar. They even have put together a website.

The idea came from teachers, who'd go all the way to Pearland on coffee runs. Now they can start their mornings or grab an afternoon pick-me-up inside the high school, and it won't break the bank.

"If you get a small, it's 75 cents; if you get a large, it's a $1.50," barista Chris Chea said.

A full service espresso and coffee bar, Moka Hey is run by nine special needs students at Manvel High School.

"I take the orders and do the coffee for the teachers and staff," Chea said.

Chea serves as barista. He says the job is easy and fun -- just don't ask him to join you.

"I drink milk," he told us.

You can order anything from a regular cup of joe to a caramel macchiato.

"We have teas and cocoa," Chea said. "We don't have frappuccinos yet, we're hoping to expand."

And all the money they make pays for field trips, supplies and equipment.

"I'm the money guy," treasurer Zachary Tollefson said.

Zach will even deliver. No extra charge. But everyone pitches in.

While this group has difficulties ranging from down syndrome to autism, spina bifida and brain trauma, they are getting real work experience. They're skills their teacher hopes will translate into jobs.

"Businesses are finally starting to see the value of these guys because they show up - they have a great attitude, they work so hard and they get the job done well and very efficiently," life skills teacher Grady McWhorter said.

Moka Hey has a Facebook page, where you can order coffee, mugs and T-shirts.