Donate to Relief Fund for Café Cerés Workers

Dear friends and community members,

We, the workers at Café Cerés, are reeling from Daniel Del Prado’s decision to close the cafes. Last year, a supermajority of our coworkers voted to unionize with Unite Here Local 17. Our goals were to not only make the cafes more profitable and organized, but also to fight back against exploitation and disrespect. We bargained with the company for 6 months, fighting them each step of the way to include immigration protections, fair wages, healthcare, and to secure DEI values. Last week, just as we were about to cross the finish line with a fair contract, the company chose to close the cafes altogether. Human resources did not send us an email to let us know; some of us found out our jobs had been axed from social media and the news.

We’re devastated. Not only has our hard work in securing a contract been completely disregarded, but our lives have been overturned. We’re now faced with the harsh reality of finding new work and making last minute plans to stay secure. As we struggle to find our footing in the wake of this incredibly consequential decision, we’re turning to our community for support.

Your contribution to this fundraiser would help us cover

Rent and utilities: Creating a cushion for living expenses as we look for new jobs.

Lack of Government Assistance: Not all of the workers in our restaurant will be eligible for unemployment for various reasons, meaning many of us are out in the cold in terms of government assistance.

Food and Other Necessities: Putting food on the table while we aren't bringing in income.

All funds donated to this GoFundMe will be distributed to the baristas, cooks, and dishwashers who made the cafes possible. Your support would not only help ease the impact of DDP’s decision, but also send a message to our community at large that we have each other’s backs. Your solidarity has meant the world to us, both during our union fight for the cafes and now as we grieve them.

Since DDP announced the decision to close the cafes, we’ve had many conversations with our amazing community of customers about what this loss means to them. Many of you are heartbroken that you’ll not only be losing a favorite cafe, but a community and gathering space as well. We are so honored that we’ve been able to create and join in that community with you as employees of the cafe. Our incredible friends and customers were the best part of the job. We loved sharing mornings with you, getting to know you, and being a part of your lives in the time we served you at the cafe. Thank you so much for your support as we continue to fight for rightful compensation on behalf of the company.

With love and gratitude,

The Workers of Cafe Ceres