B3 Coffee Start Up Funds

B3 Coffee is a non profit that provides community integrated social and vocational opportunities for people with disabilities as well as allies. Using the way coffee brings people together, we aim to dismantle stigma and influence change toward a more inclusive and equitable world. B3 Coffee's model involves 4 pillars:

(1) Online Community: we meet twice weekly to create a space of connection and belonging for our team
(2) Community Programming: We offer two classes for our team members, Belonging in the Workplace (focused on work readiness) and Living Your Best Life (focused on all aspects of the transition to adulthood). Both classes meet weekly.
(3) Pop ups: B3 is available for booking for pop-up coffee stands at special events, which provides team members with opportunities for community visibility and engagement
(4) & This June we are so excited to launch our 4th pillar! B3 is opening a kiosk at the Chapel Hill Public Library. The library kiosk will be operated by interns with and without disabilities, in alignment with our integrated and no-hierarchy model.

Our vision for the Chapel Hill Library Kiosk: to provide a platform for meaningful work experience, positive visibility, and socially transformative community-building. B3 will offer paid internships for team members with and without disabilities to work collaboratively alongside each other. 

During their time at B3, interns will build on their strengths, identify their support needs, and gain confidence in a universally designed work environment. As part of the internship program, interns will receive training in self-advocacy and/or allyship as well as engage in work-readiness activities (i.e., resume building, job exploration).

Our internship program is designed to facilitate team members’ transitions to long-term jobs using the transferable values and skills learned during their time at B3 Coffee. We plan to establish a coalition of like-minded local employers committed to hiring our interns and receiving education on inclusive/accessible workplace practices. This innovative “transitional” model will allow us to maximize our impact through influencing broader social and economic change.

Through this fundraiser, we are raising seed funding in order to entirely cover the start-up costs of opening our library kiosk. 

Our mission: Creating a space where everyone belongs, one cup at a time.
Our tagline: Being, Belong, and Becoming better together. (B3)
Our website: www.b3coffee.org