Young program participants overcoming adversities collaborated with the frontman of the world’s greatest party band, The B-52’s, to launch a coffee line inspired by their collaborative song, to support two New York non-profits.
In 2018, a group of under-resourced NYC youth walked into a studio to write a song about outer space. They knew they’d be collaborating with Fred Schneider, the unmistakable frontman of The B-52s, so they leaned into a theme that felt cosmic, playful, and a little surreal. The result was “Outer Space,” a song born from mentorship and peer support through the music industry non-profit, Road Recovery, and their innovative after school Trax Program, recently acclaimed in a report by Research Scientists from NYU and National Mentoring Resource Center.
Years later, that song jumped off a streaming playlist and into a bag of coffee. Outer Space Blend is a mission-driven roast created to support two New York nonprofits: Road Recovery and Mid-Hudson Works.
Road Recovery is a New York-based non-profit 501(c)(3) that offers mentoring and creative arts workshops/recording projects across New York State after-school programs for youth who are facing adversities with mental health, criminal justice, poverty, and more. Mid-Hudson Works is a workforce development nonprofit that provides training and employment opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The coffee itself is as thoughtful as the story behind it. Sold in 12-ounce bags, the line includes four roasts: a dark roast with notes of cocoa, molasses, and milk chocolate; a balanced medium roast with classic chocolate and nutty tones; a light roast featuring nutty orange and caramel; and a decaf with unexpected hints of chocolate, pine, and strawberry. All beans are certified organic and/or Fair Trade, with select offerings carrying Bird-Friendly certification. These credentials matter to today’s ethically minded consumers.
The roaster behind the blend adds another layer of purpose. In 2022, North River Roasters was donated by its retiring owners to Mid-Hudson Works, ensuring that the business itself would operate under nonprofit leadership. Coffee production now directly supports workforce training and employment opportunities in the Hudson Valley.
For Road Recovery, the collaboration is a natural extension of its origin story. Founded in 1998 by music industry veterans connected to the late recording artist/singer Jeff Buckley, the non-profit organization has long invited established artists into the recording studio to create music alongside young people in recovery from a variety of adversities. Over the years, collaborators and creative partners have included artists such as Slash, members of Duran Duran, Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) Peter Frampton and Darryl McDaniels (Run-DMC).
The packaging for Outer Space Blend visually ties the project back to its musical roots. The original artwork, drawn by a Road Recovery youth participant for the original music release, reappears on the bag, alongside playful space-themed details that echo the song’s vibe. Each purchase becomes more than a transaction; it becomes a continuation of the creative journey that started in the music recording studio.
A QR code on the packaging links listeners directly to the music stream of the song “Outer Space” on Spotify, connecting the sensory experience of coffee with the sound of collaboration. It’s a reminder that creativity, like caffeine, can energize change.
In a crowded specialty coffee market, Outer Space Blend stands out not only for its quality and certifications but also for its layered impact. Every cup supports youth empowerment through the arts and sustainable employment in New York. Road Recovery’s ethos is grounded in what they call The Power of WE, meaning that we’re all in this together, one track—or cup of Joe—at a time.
