Non-profit Restaurant Works to Transform Lives of Pittsburgh’s Justice-Involved Youth Through Life Skills, Educational Support, and Internship Program
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PITTSBURGH, PA ( May 14, 2024) – Today, Café Momentum Pittsburgh is excited to announce the promotion of Cheyenne Tyler to Executive Director. Her dedication to transforming the lives of youth involved in the justice system aligns perfectly with Café Momentum’s core mission of providing workforce development, mental health, education and an ecosystem of support for Pittsburgh’s youth.
Before joining Café Momentum in 2022 as Director of Programs, Cheyenne served as a Community Impact Program Manager for United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. During her tenure, she managed the nation’s largest implementation of Coaching Boys into Men, a school-based violence prevention program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she transitioned from her school initiative work to leading United Way’s Student and Families Food Relief Project, collaborating to serve over 1.4 million meals to students and families across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“As the new Executive Director of this remarkable organization, I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve and lead in the vital mission of reimagining how our communities and youth justice system best serve our young people,” said Cheyenne Tyler, Executive Director of Café Momentum Pittsburgh. “As both a servant and a disruptor, I am committed to ensuring justice-impacted youth have an equitable chance to a future of prosperity and opportunity. This means every youth has access, resources, skills, opportunities and most importantly, an ecosystem of support to create their own success. Café Momentum Pittsburgh provides these necessities and together, with a team of devoted and passionate individuals, we will empower, inspire and walk alongside our interns through their journey of transformation.”
A Pittsburgh native, Cheyenne’s journey in youth justice work began as a Case Manager in a juvenile correctional facility in South Florida. This experience laid the foundation for her subsequent roles, including her tenure at Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) Youth Support Partner Unit and Allegheny County’s Juvenile Detention Center. Through these experiences, Cheyenne developed a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding youth justice and dedicated herself to helping transform the lives of young people impacted by the system.
The Pittsburgh location is the country’s second brick-and-mortar location for Café Momentum. It was founded in 2015 by award-winning restaurateur Chad Houser, Founder CEO, of Café Momentum and Momentum Advisory Collective, to transform the lives of youth impacted by the juvenile justice system. With the support of the Stand Together Foundation, Café Momentum is expanding its reach toward nationwide impact, including Pittsburgh and soon Atlanta, Denver and Houston.
“Cheyenne Tyler steps into the role of Executive Director with a deep commitment to our mission and a clear vision for our future,” said Chad Houser, Founder CEO of Café Momentum. “Her expertise and dedication to our young people is inspiring, and the community can feel it. We are excited to welcome her into this new era of leadership for Café Momentum Pittsburgh.”
Café Momentum features a casual fine dining experience with an array of modern-American styled dishes, led by Chef Peter Henry, a culinary master with 22 years of experience in the organic and sustainable food movement. Café Momentum Pittsburgh celebrated its one-year anniversary in March 2024 and was named one of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s ‘Best New Restaurants.’ The restaurant’s hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 5:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. The restaurant invites guests to BYOB with a $5 corkage fee per person. Café Momentum Pittsburgh also offers catering, to learn more or to make a reservation, please visit cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh.
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About Café Momentum
Café Momentum, a nonprofit organization building clear pathways out of justice involvement for youth ages 15 to 19, through a 12-month paid internship program that covers all aspects of a fine dining restaurant, including cooking, serving, bussing, and more – ultimately rotating through nine different operational areas. In addition to the workforce development provided by the internship, the youth are simultaneously receiving 24/7 case management, access to mental health services and are enrolled in high school. Through community partners, Café Momentum also supports interns with support in housing, medical care and more.
Learn more at https://cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh/