Fundraising Campaign: Empowering Teens, Building Futures

Our Journey: Turning Dreams Into Reality

In 2018, we began with a vision—a dream to create a hub where everyone can connect with teens, fostering a culture of mentorship and community engagement. Our mission is to develop a culture of teen mentorship, guiding teens into adulthood as mentors who will, in turn, support the next generation.

On October 3rd, 2022, our dream took a significant step forward when we officially launched our program in schools. Since then, we have:

Engaged teens in over 8,150 hours of healthy activities.
Positively impacted 183 unique teens, fostering personal growth and community connections.
Introduced MentorChips—our unique currency—with teens earning 15,660 MentorChips in exchange for participating in activities that promote their well-being and development.

A New Opportunity: The C.H.A.N.G.E. Cafe

We are now thrilled to announce the next chapter in our journey: the creation of the C.H.A.N.G.E. Cafe. This cafe is more than a place to grab coffee or a meal—it’s a cornerstone for our mission, serving as:

A jobs mentoring location for teens.
A hiring center dedicated to providing employment opportunities for teens.
An entrepreneur incubator, offering resources and support for teens to launch their ideas.
A welcoming space where the public can relax and connect for business or leisure.
A safe haven for teens to hang out and grow.

The cafe will also address economic and community needs:

Teen employment: Empowering teens with real-world experience.
Community enrichment: Providing a much-needed venue for teens and residents to interact and grow.

We are excited to share this space with MissionMex, known for its delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine, including tamales and tacos. The C.H.A.N.G.E. Cafe will feature a basic menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, along with coffee, smoothies, and a salsa bar to delight every palate.

Empowering Teens Through Hands-On Experience

The cafe will be managed by full-time adult employees and operated by teens passionate about culinary arts, business, and marketing. Our management team will create an engaging curriculum to provide teens with hands-on experience in:

Running a business
Culinary preparation and service
Marketing and customer engagement

Why We Need Your Help

We have been raising finances toward this transformative project from individual donors like you. To bring the C.H.A.N.G.E. Cafe to life, we need additional funding to cover startup costs and ensure the business can become fully operational through the Spring 'Shoulder' season in our tourist-oriented community.

Your support will:

Help us establish a unique community hub.
Provide invaluable mentorship and career-building opportunities for teens.
Strengthen our town by offering a safe, welcoming space for everyone.

Join Us in Building a Brighter Future

By contributing to this campaign, you’re not just supporting a cafe; you’re investing in the future of our teens and our community. Together, we can turn this vision into a reality and continue empowering the next generation.

Let’s build something amazing, together.

Give Confidently:

We are pleased to share that our project is fiscally sponsored by University Impact, a 501(c)(3) public charity. This partnership ensures that all contributions to our initiative are tax-deductible.

University Impact specializes in providing fiscal sponsorship to emerging charitable projects, enabling them to receive tax-exempt donations while focusing on their mission. Their support offers us a solid legal and financial foundation, ensuring transparency and accountability in our operations.

By donating through University Impact, you can be confident that your generous support is managed with the highest standards of fiscal responsibility, directly contributing to the success and sustainability of our CHANGE System project.

While we are committed to the success of this initiative, we have also planned for every possibility. Should unforeseen circumstances prevent us from completing the CHANGE System, University Impact will transfer any remaining funds to a local nonprofit aligned with our mission. This ensures that your contributions will always advance local causes supporting teen success.

C.H.A.N.G.E. Cafe

By Change System

C.H.A.N.G.E. Cafe