Community Blend - Cloud Covered Streets

As part of our PRESS On Charities initiative, you will find bags of Community Blend coffee on our retail shelves and online. All proceeds from your purchase benefit a local non-profit organization here in the valley. As the seasons change, so do our beneficiaries.  Since the launch of the Community Blend in the Fall of 2020, PRESS has donated over $3,000 to the Arizona Coalition for Change and local K-8 School Districts!

Our Spring release of Community Blend benefits Cloud Covered Streets, a 501c3 non-profit providing hope, compassion, kindness, connection & essential supplies to those experiencing homelessness.

Founder, Robert Thorton began his journey to serve the community in October of 2015 by simply passing out printed t-shirts for those in need via his clothing brand, Paper Clouds Apparel, along with hand-written letters of hope. It was not long before Thorton wanted to dig deeper, find other ways to give back and make a greater impact to serve the homeless community.



By May of 2016, Cloud Covered Streets received their 501c3 nonprofit status. The goal of CCS was not only to serve those experiencing homelessness, but to develop friendships with those they interacted with, and ensure they knew that they were truly seen and genuinely cared for. When asked what their greatest need was, those they served most often answered, “A shower”-- which ignited the start of a brand new chapter in the story of Cloud Covered Streets.

Over the next several years, Thorton worked tirelessly to bring a dream to reality: a 22 foot cargo trailer transformed into a mobile multi-room shower and laundry unit! Complete with three full size shower stalls (including one wheelchair accessible) and two stackable washer/dryer units. There is also a desk, equipped with a wireless laptop, where a member of the CCS volunteer team is available to assist in filling out job applications, creating/updating resumes, and/or making contact with loved ones via email. Volunteer hair stylists/barbers from across the state donate their time + skills to get customers back to looking and feeling their very best. All of these amenities and services are provided completely free of charge, funded by the generous donations of supporters of Cloud Covered Streets
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Thorton recently began employing those experiencing homelessness to help run the trailer. Most of these employees are assigned regular shifts over the course of two months to help establish a routine, a crucial part of helping them transition back into the workforce. After their 60 days of employment operating the trailer, CCS assists them with full-time job placement and finding affordable housing.

Cloud Covered Streets continues to make strides in finding creative ways to serve the homeless community of Phoenix, Arizona, but Thorton’s plans for this organization stretch to much greater lengths. He has made it possible for others outside of the Phoenix Metropolitan area to establish “Street Teams” in their own cities, nationwide. Long-term, Thorton plans to have a Mobile Shower + Laundry unit built and fully operational in every major city across the country. 

To show your support for Cloud Covered Streets, stop by any PRESS retail location or visit us online to purchase a bag of Community Blend coffee today!