Announced at pre-NFL draft dinner, the initial grant and matching campaign expands transformational efforts for youth in juvenile justice system
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 25, 2019 – During an invite-only dinner on the eve of the 2019 NFL Draft, with support from the National Football League (NFL) and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, Stand Together announced a $250,000 grant and a nationwide matching campaign to expand upon its support for Café Momentum, a Dallas-based nonprofit with a restaurant and culinary training facility that transforms the lives of young men and women in the juvenile justice system. In addition to Stand Together’s initial contribution of $250,000, people around the country can back Stand Together’s support of Café Momentum’s inspiring work by texting MOMENTUM to 41411 to give at any time throughout the 2019 NFL Draft. All donations made through the campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Stand Together.
“We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Café Momentum, and we’re excited to help people around the country to engage with this incredible organization and see the magic for themselves,” said Lauren McCann, executive vice president of Stand Together. “Café Momentum is changing lives by restoring dignity and hope to young people that face enormous barriers – and are capable of extraordinary things.”
Hosted by Café Momentum, Wednesday’s pop-up dinner gathered local and national leaders ahead of the NFL Draft in Nashville to help raise awareness of the issues facing youth who have been part of the U.S. juvenile justice system and inspire action on their behalf. NFL legends joined to honor Café Momentum’s impact through its Dallas flagship location and offer support as the organization looks to expand its innovative work around the U.S. Former Seattle Seahawks star Shaun Alexander gave brief remarks as did Metropolitan Nashville Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway, Stand Together Executive Vice President Lauren McCann and Café Momentum Founder, CEO and Executive Chef Chad Houser. The event featured a meal prepared by youth in Nashville’s juvenile justice system who spent the week being trained through Café Momentum’s curriculum, designed to harness existing abilities and help them find purpose and passion through work.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching as young people who face incredibly challenging circumstances completely change the trajectory of their lives through our programming,” said Houser. “It’s incredibly exciting to start expanding this model that’s been so transformative in Dallas thanks to the support of Stand Together and others who continue to come alongside us.”
Café Momentum offers young men and women in the juvenile justice system an opportunity to cultivate life and career skills in the context of supportive community. Interns at Café Momentum spend 12 months learning various aspects of the culinary industry and working with dedicated case managers to achieve stability. After graduating from the program, Café Momentum interns have the opportunity to secure employment with community partners.
Café Momentum is part of Stand Together’s growing Catalyst Network of more than 130 community-based organizations working to break the cycle of poverty in America across six issue areas: Addiction and Mental Health; Financial Empowerment and Entrepreneurship; Housing and Homelessness; In-Prison, Reentry and Second Chances; Workforce Development; and Youth and Education.
For more information on Café Momentum and other Stand Together Catalysts, visit standtogetheragainstpoverty.org. To donate to Stand Together in support of its partnership with Café Momentum, text MOMENTUM to 41411 and Stand Together will match your contribution through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, up to a total of $375,000, subject to the terms and conditions noted on standtogetheragainstpoverty.org.
