I don’t live anywhere near New Jersey - why would I invest in this?
I COMPLETELY understand this question. While this first Cup of Hope Cafe will be in New Jersey this is just the start! Literally every part of the United States has a disabled population and could benefit from organizations such as this.
Taking disabilities out of typical day programs setting and into a public setting benefits both the disabled adults and society as a whole. The more we recognize as a society that disability does not equal inability the more normalization and integration can occur.
The business concept and training opportunities are universal and can (and hopefully will!) be applied all over the country going forward as more and more states opt for and enforce work first programs.
What will the $35,000 be used for?
The money is start up money to fund the first 6-months of start up. The money will cover rent, insurance, electric / utilities being turned on, basic renovations, necessary equipment and supplies and HIRING of our first round of employees to OPEN as a fully functioning cafe in a walking town with a ton of potential customers. This is where the magic starts.
Then what happens?
Any successful business either nonprofit or for profit has to support itself. A Cup of Hope will be self sustaining through the Cafe portion. However, after the initial start up there will be other ways for funds to come in to sustain and expand the mission:
A Cup of Hope will network ferociously with other small businesses to carry their products in addition to our products. (the amazing bagels, home-made chocolates, home-made ice cream etc.) There is 2-reasons for this.
- All of these products are in different towns throughout Southern New Jersey. Buying wholesale and selling in one place (our cafe) will draw more customers to our shop and offer variety for our employees to sell and customers to buy.
- By working with these multiple small businesses we will be sharing our mission every time. Small business owners who may have never considered hiring an employee with a disability will start to see these workers in a new way. Leading to more jobs for the employees everywhere.
FUTURE planning: To network with other nonprofits and state entities.
