Tampa has lost its only homeless drop-in center. We need your help to bring it back.
For over 20 years, Gracepoint Wellness's "The Coffee Shop," near Downtown Tampa, has been more than just a place—it's been hope. Known simply as "The Shop" to the 50 people who visited daily, this unique facility was Florida's ONLY comprehensive drop-in center for people experiencing homelessness.
What Made The Coffee Shop So Critical?
The Coffee Shop wasn't just another shelter. It was a one-stop lifeline that provided:
- Mailing address required to receive social assistance and benefits
- Shower and laundry facilities, restoring dignity and enabling job searches
- Internet and phone access, connecting people to resources and loved ones
- Case management services, helping navigate healthcare, housing, and benefits
- Safe respite from severe weather, literally life-saving during Tampa's brutal summers
- Basic necessities like hot coffee, snacks, clothing, and hygiene items
The Crisis We Face
In January 2025, federal funding cuts devastated social services nationwide. The Coffee Shop, which operated efficiently on just $300,000 annually, lost its primary funding source and was forced to close in July.
Today, the 8,400 square-foot building sits empty—chairs stacked in offices, motivational phrases still on the walls: "Have hope. Be strong."
But hope isn't lost.
The Mission: Bring The Shop Back
WellBuilt Cities, a Tampa nonprofit, is leading the charge to reopen The Coffee Shop through community support, partnering with local churches and organizations who understand what Tampa has lost.
April McCullohs from Grace Family Church described the devastating impact: "That was just a huge relief for me, to have this as a resource where I could send people. We're a church, so we couldn't do everything. We could send them somewhere to take the next step."
Your Investment Makes a Difference
**Goal: $180,000** to fund operations for 12 months.
This covers:
- $120,000 for rent, utilities, and liability insurance
- $60,000 for staffing, supplies, and facility refurbishment
**Just $90,000** secures the lease and begins limited operations immediately.
Every dollar goes directly to services:
- $50 provides a week of shower access for one person
- $100 covers a month of mail services for someone seeking employment
- $500 contributes to case management helping people navigate benefits
- $1,000 keeps the lights on and doors open for a month
Why This Matters Now
As nonprofits nationwide face funding cuts and local ordinances increasingly criminalize homelessness, grassroots support becomes essential. The Coffee Shop proved that relatively small investments in human dignity create profound community impact.
Jon Dengler, WellBuilt Cities' founder, put it simply: "We can't count on the government to take care of all these things. We have to take care of ourselves and our neighbors."
Join Tampa's Movement of Hope
The Coffee Shop was unique in Florida—and we can't let it disappear forever. Your donation doesn't just fund a facility; it restores a community lifeline that helps our most vulnerable neighbors rebuild their lives.
Every person deserves access to basic dignity: a shower, a safe address, a pathway to stability. The Coffee Shop provided that pathway for decades. With your help, it will again.
**Donate today. Help us prove that Tampa takes care of its own.**
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For more information about WellBuilt Cities and our community partnerships, visit https://www.wellbuilt.city/. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.