Meet Three Philadelphia-Area Cafés Serving Up Coffee with a Side of Opportunity
COFFEE CAN INSPIRE GREAT CONVERSATION. How many times have you said to a friend, “Want to meet for coffee?” And, when you do, never-ending discussions ensue and time passes at a caffeinated speed. Many of the world’s problems can often be solved —at least for a while—while sipping a good cup of coffee.
But what if you took that concept one step further? Could a community of coffee lovers be a catalyst for solving problems and improving lives?
With that idea in mind, solving problems has become a reality at three not-for-profit cafés in the Philadelphia region. Along with a commitment to serving a good cup of locally roasted Joe, each café identified a specific social concern—life after foster care, special-needs citizens, and feline rescue—and addressed it with a business model that encompasses awareness, compassion, and understanding. Each establishment has created a mission to help improve lives while guests enjoy coffee, appetizing treats, and peace and quiet.
Visit one of these cafés and, like me, you’ll likely leave feeling very rich inside, as though you’ve contributed to something wonderful. With or without coffee, I’d say that’s a pretty good way to start any day.
(top left)Blueberry lavender lemonade with breakfast panini; (middle right)K’Von Harris-Robinson and Kamal Marell; (bottom right)Chocolate, butter, and raisin swirl croissants
THE MONKEY AND THE ELEPHANT (M&E)
AT A GLANCE
MISSION
Supports young adults who have aged out of the foster care system
COFFEE
Roasters of Lancaster, roasted and delivered weekly, whole-bean pound bags available for purchase
CATERING
Available for pickup only, full menu online
MENU
Solid café menu, sandwiches, pastries, small platters, vegan items available. All made in-house.
RECOMMENDATION
The vegan chai muffins are made fresh every day. Order one with a latte, and you will achieve coffee shop joy in just a few bites. NOTE: Grab the window seat for great views of Girard Avenue.
HOURS
Tues–Sun, 7am–4pm
CONTACT
2831 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia
267.457.5334
themonkeyandtheelephant.org
In 2014, coffee took on a new meaning when M&E opened in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia. The café was the first not-for-profit café in the city to provide a guided work environment for young adults aging out of foster care.
Today, the café’s administrative team consists of Executive Director Kamal Marell, MEd, a seasoned leader in the arena of social services, and social worker Kayla Thomas, MSW. Together, Marell and Thomas lead seminars in workforce development, financial management, and more for team members to continue learning important tools for adult life.
Perhaps the shining star is K’von Harris-Robinson who, along with being a skilled barista, leads operations as the café manager. The most tenured member of the staff, Harris-Robinson has been with M&E for nine years and was one of the program’s original participants in 2014. Under Harris-Robinson’s watchful eye, the café runs smoothly and efficiently.
When it comes to food, Harris-Robinson personally favors the café’s vegan chai muffins and cinnamon toast latte. M&E has a keen eye for local food items and trends, and it shows in the full assortment of coffee-based beverages, smoothies, in-house baked goods, and more. The lineup features excellent grab-and-go items that won’t break the bank. “Our food is made with love and fresh ingredients, simplicity in food you can’t get anywhere else,” adds Harris-Robinson.
If you love a good bagel, fear not: M&E provides freshly made bagels from Brew-erytown Bakery, located just a block away. The bagels are noteworthy in taste and texture—and it’s nice seeing businesses from the same neighborhood supporting one another.
Get Cafe employee, Jimmy Mitchell
(top)Manager, Victoria Goins, and supervisor, Adam Slater, with Get Cafe team; (middle right)Jon Sher; (bottom right)Jack Stockmal and Goins
GET CAFE
AT A GLANCE
MISSION
Provides employment for special-needs citizens
COFFEE
La Colombe Roasters
CATERING
Not available
MENU
Coffee, tea, smoothies, sandwiches, pastries from Au Fornil, Narbaked Bakery, and Green Lion Breads
RECOMMENDATION
Get there early and grab a pastry and piping hot cup of freshly brewed coffee. Great spot for meeting up with friends.
HOURS
Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm; Sat–Sun, 8am–4pm
CONTACT
246 Haverford Ave., Narberth
info@getincluded.org
getincluded.org/the-cafe
Located in the heart of Narberth, Get Café is a coffee shop where ALL abilities are welcome. According to manager Victoria Goins, “We are a café dedicated to facilitating and engaging the social inclusion of neurodivergent individuals and others with a disability in the community setting.” Goins’s management style is a combination of teacher, manager, chef, and parent. As I watched her in action, she won me over with her warm and kind heart, helping the staff feel confident while carrying out their work responsibilities.
The café opened in February 2019, and its concept was inspired by founder Brooke Goodspeed and her son Oliver, who has autism and Down syndrome. Goodspeed is also the founder of GETincluded, Inc., the umbrella organization of the café. Her goal was to create an environment to help eliminate the stigma and discrimination that exclude those with disabilities from meaningful and collaborative work. With supervision, staff with special needs work the front and the back of the house, preparing hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, and more. Team members achieve a new sense of purpose and self, as this small eatery provides excellent customer service and delicious made-to-order food.
Goins explains that, in addition to its local customer base, the café has become a supportive place for other parents of young adults with special needs. There is also a sensory room for staff—just in case someone needs a quiet space to relax and reflect.
THE BLACK CAT CAFE
AT A GLANCE
MISSION
80% of proceeds benefit feline rescue
COFFEE
Private house blend
CATERING
Extensive menu including vegan and gluten-free options, all made in-house
MENU
Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Lunch served 9am–3pm. Bountiful menu, “something for everyone.” You will not leave hungry.
RECOMMENDATION
This is the perfect spot for a weekend breakfast or brunch. Daily specials are offered.
HOURS
Wed-Sun, 9am–8pm (dinner reservations recommended)
CONTACT
42 Berkley Road, Devon
610.688.1930
theblackcatcafedevon.org
Head out to Devon for a culinary adventure that benefits feline rescue. The Black Cat Café might be the biggest surprise of the day. With an extensive menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, you will not leave hungry. The menu has something for everyone, even for the pickiest of eaters. An added bonus is a full-service vegan menu, as well as many gluten-free items.
Waitstaff are all volunteers, relying on tips as their source of income. The foyer to the café is a home for cats who are available for adoption. They are well cared for and showered with love from staff and guests.
“This is basically a rescue restaurant,” says Judy Clemens, the café’s chef and manager, “and we save animals every day.” Clemens is a masterful chef with an eye for food trends and original concepts. If you’re a chili fan, this might be the last place you’ll ever need to go for a big bowl of a vegetable-packed chili. No surprise here as Clemens was voted “Best Chef” for 2022 by Main Line Today.
But there is more, especially if you love carrot cake. Clemens beams when talking about the baked goods that are made by a team of three bakers. We are talking “melt-in-your-mouth” treats made with fresh ingredients. All dressings are made from scratch and many diners favor the “light and fluffy” quiche.
What could be better?
