MISSION

Our Mission:

We started Coffee for the Arts to combine two passions: to roast the freshest specialty-grade coffee and loose-leaf tea while funding art education programs for underserved youth.

5% of our profit goes to underserved arts programs. Studies have shown that arts education levels the learning field across socio-economic boundaries, improves student retention, and reduces the achievement gap. The problem is, students who attend schools with high levels of poverty have the least access to arts instruction and education.

Together, we can make an impact on these kids' lives and all we have to do is drink high quality coffee or tea.

- Rob & Shelby

 

Rob's Story:

My name is Rob Casillas and I've been blessed to have made a career out of using my creativity. I will say, the road to where I am now wasn't easy. I grew up poor. My four siblings and I lived with my mom in a rough part of town in Long Beach, California. If there was some type of low income living assistance program, we were on it. Everything from Section 8, food stamps, the occasional holiday handouts, and so on. And to top it off, the education system at the time wasn't great and I had nothing but negative influences in the streets around me. I felt lost and without a North Star. All I knew is that I loved to draw, paint, and use my imagination. Luckily for me, I had an art teacher (thank you Ms. Charvet) who believed in me. I was able to land a full scholarship at The Art Institute and the rest is history. Now, I'm an Executive Creative Director working for some of the biggest brands in the world. Some days I look around at my coworkers and think, I'm not supposed to be here.

 

Shelby's Story:

I'm an entrepreneur, father, soccer fan, and sustainability advocate based out of El Paso, TX. My background is in Recruiting, Solar Energy, and now coffee!

I started developing solar energy companies in 2006 in Austin, TX while simultaneously working full-time as a Technology Recruiter. I have developed solar energy, wind energy, and battery storage projects across the United States and Mexico, including my own solar rooftop! I have served on various nonprofit boards such as the US Green Building Council West Texas, USGBC Texas, Solar San Antonio, and Eco El Paso.

I also have 19+ years of Recruiting & Employer Branding experience supporting high-growth businesses globally such as Roku, Dell, USAA, Rackspace Hosting, and various startup companies. I'm currently a Lead Recruiter at Roku Inc. I received my MBA and BBA from the Greehey School of Business at St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, where I played NCAA Division 2 Men’s Soccer.