building the cafÉ momentum flagship
A bold initiative dedicated to building a Flagship Café Momentum – a space where young people's dreams can flourish. We're not just talking about constructing a building; we're talking about broadening our impact to empower more young individuals across the country to dream beyond their circumstances.
Our innovative approach to rehabilitation empowers justice-involved youth by providing them with culinary training, mentorship and job placement opportunities.
Now, with the support of generous donors like you, we’re excited to embark on a groundbreaking initiative to expand our impact and dream big by creating a Flagship location that will serve as a beacon of hope for youth in need.
The Café Momentum Flagship represents the decade of experience serving the youth of Dallas County and four years of expanding our model nationally. Informed by our commitment to locally-sourced ingredients and fine-dining cuisine, the Flagship restaurant will offer a unique dining experience that reflects the culinary talent and creativity of our youth interns.
Beyond the restaurant, the Flagship will be home to the Café Momentum Program — a comprehensive internship designed to provide interns with valuable work experience, education, continual learning opportunities and a supportive environment where they can thrive.
The Café Momentum Community Services Center (CSC) is the hub for intern engagement and support. Our CSC provides essential resources such as food, toiletries and showers, and a space for recreational activities, therapy sessions and meetings with case managers. The CSC is open for drop-ins at least 20 hours per week, and is a lifeline for youth and families needing support and guidance.
Within the CSC is the Café Momentum Academy, a high school classroom supported by state-of-the-art technology. Here, our interns will have the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma or GED with the support of our on-site teaching staff and volunteer tutors.
The heart of the Flagship will be our restaurant, where our young people will receive hands-on culinary training under the guidance of professional chefs in a casual yet refined atmosphere.
Through our Momentum Model, we are providing a new approach to youth empowerment – one that prioritizes skill-building, mentorship and community support. By showcasing the success of our interns and the impact of our programs, the Flagship will serve as inspiration and support for organizations seeking to empower youth and create pathways to success.
Situated in the heart of The Meadows Foundation Campus in the Historic Wilson District, the Café Momentum Flagship will join 35 local non-profits, surrounding them with rich community resources that our youth, staff and families can access.
These resources include a community garden, New Friends New Life, child care at Annie’s Place, Dallas CASA and more. This ecosystem will foster collaboration, networking and additional support for our community members, enhancing the holistic impact of the Flagship.
As we continue to expand our model nationally, the Flagship will house a state-of-the-art training facility. The Flagship will serve as a hub of innovation, attracting educators, policymakers and practitioners from across the country to learn about the Café Momentum model.
Equipped with classrooms, a training kitchen and office space, this facility will serve as a meeting place for stakeholders from across the country to immerse themselves in the Café Momentum culture and learn best practices for empowering youth in their own communities.
The Café Momentum Flagship is poised to become a national destination for learning and innovation in youth development and justice reform.
By investing in this project, we are not only transforming the lives of young people in Dallas but also paving the way for a paradigm shift in how we approach youth empowerment and justice reform nationwide.
For more information, please contact Margaret Windham, Executive Director of Café Momentum Dallas: margaret@cafemomentum.org