{"id":28807,"date":"2016-09-22T08:30:11","date_gmt":"2016-09-22T12:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=28807"},"modified":"2016-09-22T16:01:44","modified_gmt":"2016-09-22T20:01:44","slug":"coming-home-to-caffiends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2016\/09\/22\/coming-home-to-caffiends\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Home to Caffiends"},"content":{"rendered":"<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9H6EgqTIboE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nWhen I got back on campus at the end of Orientation, the first thing I did was visit Caffiends, Victoria College's student-run fair-trade caf\u00e9, located on the first floor of Old Vic, the college's castle-like building. As always, stepping into the cozy room felt like going home in a way that no other place on campus quite managed to rival.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28809 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n.jpg\" alt=\"Coffee cup on a table in Caffiends\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nI had been volunteering there since September of my first year and became co-manager in my second. Like an anxious new mother, I darted in and out multiple times daily and checked my email every 20 minutes. It was a labour of love, and I felt more passion for my work there than I'd ever thought possible in a job. Although coordinating 140 volunteers' schedules and lugging chocolate across the city on public transit\u00a0certainly made for some late nights and early mornings, not a moment of the job went unappreciated.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/11143345_937589559612826_8816616838620859652_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28810 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/11143345_937589559612826_8816616838620859652_n.jpg\" alt=\"Tray of Caffiends's croissants, flourless chocolate cakes, and cupcakes\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/11143345_937589559612826_8816616838620859652_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/11143345_937589559612826_8816616838620859652_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/11143345_937589559612826_8816616838620859652_n-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nFounded ten years ago\u00a0on principles of sustainability, Caffiends is most known for its $1 fair-trade coffee and lack of disposable cups. Most of the\u00a0products are vegan, fair-trade, or gluten-free, and all are priced under $4, which makes my purchases feel guilt-free and justifiable. In fact, the last three items on my credit card bill were all for Caffiends's iced matcha lattes.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12809780_1018215541550227_4015862357333657866_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28811 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12809780_1018215541550227_4015862357333657866_n.jpg\" alt=\"Volunteer steaming milk at Caffiends\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12809780_1018215541550227_4015862357333657866_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12809780_1018215541550227_4015862357333657866_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12809780_1018215541550227_4015862357333657866_n-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nSince volunteer shifts only last an hour a week, I've been able to fit this into my schedule every year, which provides me with some much needed stability in the midst of a hectic schedule. Even during my busiest times of school, coming in for a shift and winding down with the best loose-leaf tea in the area managed to calm my mind better than anything. For that hour, it gave me something to focus on, to step away from the stress of academic work.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/1910024_979325548772560_1353775430636581790_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28808 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/1910024_979325548772560_1353775430636581790_n.jpg\" alt=\"Five Caffiends volunteers\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/1910024_979325548772560_1353775430636581790_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/1910024_979325548772560_1353775430636581790_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/1910024_979325548772560_1353775430636581790_n-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nHowever, the part of Caffiends that\u00a0makes it so special is the community. Even if you don't get to meet all 100+ volunteers, you inevitably become friends with your few shift mates. As a deeply introverted first year, this was one of the only places on campus where I didn't feel overwhelmed. Especially as a commuter, making friends was not easy, particularly in classes of hundreds. Here, in this welcoming space decorated with student-art and home to the comfiest couches on campus, I found my safe and happy place.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/13015586_1050750044963443_7319502007672741966_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28813 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/13015586_1050750044963443_7319502007672741966_n.jpg\" alt=\"Polaroids on a table featuring Caffiends volunteers\" width=\"960\" height=\"636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/13015586_1050750044963443_7319502007672741966_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/13015586_1050750044963443_7319502007672741966_n-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/13015586_1050750044963443_7319502007672741966_n-453x300.jpg 453w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nThough I've only been back at school for a couple weeks, I have tried to make as many stops by Caffiends\u00a0as possible. Volunteer sign-ups are still open, meaning many new people are discovering the community (and the cheap coffee), just as I stumbled on it three years ago. To\u00a0those students and faculty alike, I hope this little caf\u00e9 will become as much of a home for you as it is for me.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12923235_1046270018744779_3804576567100145185_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28812 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12923235_1046270018744779_3804576567100145185_n.jpg\" alt=\"Ceramic mugs on a shelf in Caffiends\" width=\"960\" height=\"636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12923235_1046270018744779_3804576567100145185_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12923235_1046270018744779_3804576567100145185_n-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/12923235_1046270018744779_3804576567100145185_n-453x300.jpg 453w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nFinding a sense of belonging at U of T can be really tough, but\u00a0what I've loved about the size of the campus is the wealth of options available. Although I found my home at Caffiends, communities can spring up\u00a0anywhere -- at clubs, events, colleges, or faculties. U of T offers everything from a Dumbledore's Army group to free Zumba classes. Take chances and try things out to find what feels like home for you.\r\n\r\n<em>All photos provided by Caffiends.<\/em>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9H6EgqTIboE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nWhen I got back on campus at the end of Orientation, the first thing I did was visit Caffiends, Victoria College's student-run fair-trade caf\u00e9, located on the first floor of Old Vic, the college's castle-like building. As always, stepping into the cozy room felt like going home in a way that no other place on campus quite managed to rival.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-28809 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n.jpg\" alt=\"Coffee cup on a table in Caffiends\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/09\/10398810_979504558754659_2057088697244328022_n-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2016\/09\/22\/coming-home-to-caffiends\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Coming Home to Caffiends&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":295,"featured_media":28809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60,70,69],"tags":[11477,1122,135,114,497,696,144],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28807"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/295"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28807"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28969,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28807\/revisions\/28969"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}