A year ago, we were sitting at a local bar commiserating about graduate school over a cold beer. On that night, we discovered a shared interest in what we each thought was a pipe-dream: creating an inclusive space where all individuals can experience a comfortable coffee shop ambience. Through networking, researching, and talking to other community members, we have been overwhelmingly supported an
d encouraged to carry out our vision. Awake Cafe and Community Space will serve midtown Sacramento and offer a combination of services and benefits no other business currently offers: quality coffee, delicious food and a dedicated safe space for community organizing and networking, especially for marginalized or non-conforming populations who are particularly in need of protected spaces (i.e. women, LGBTQ identifying individuals, people of color, and political and social activists). While a location has not yet been determined, the ideal neighborhood of Awake will be carefully selected so it is easily accessible via bike lanes, public transportation, as well as by foot and vehicle, so as not to accidentally exclude any population, given that the target populations are typically marginalized and therefore less likely to have the same resources as less-marginalized groups. While an accessible location will be prioritized, we intend to balance accessibility with discretion. This means the cafe will be near major roads, but slightly offset so to maintain a sense of safety and security for our customers. We are working hard to take the next steps in our journey of opening Awake Cafe and Community Space. We are excited to share our experiences with all of you and will be updating this site along the way. We value our community and encourage any and all suggestions and feedback to help keep Sacramento Awake. If you would like to hear more about Awake Cafe and Community Space, would like to offer feedback feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. If you would like to DONATE to the cause, visit our crowdfunding site at www.crowdrise.com/awakecafeandcommunityspace! Melissa & Jess
