• June 11, 2025 | Atlanta

  More Than a Meal: How One Restaurant Chain is Redefining Opportunity for Justice-Involved Youth

  For many young people, the path to opportunity is full of obstacles. For justice-involved youth, these challenges can be even greater, limiting access to education, employment and the stability needed to build a successful future. At Café Momentum, a nonprofit network of award-winning restaurants and training programs, these obstacles are transformed into pathways toward brighter possibilities. […]

• June 9, 2025 | Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh

  Today Show:How This Café in Atlanta Is Serving up Second Chances

  At Café Momentum in Atlanta, Georgia, teens who were once caught up in the criminal justice system are getting a second chance to serve the community in the restaurant — and in life — through an internship program created by award-winning chef Chad Houser. The teens learn about every role in the business while also […]

• June 2, 2025 | Dallas

  James Beard Foundation Honors Cafe Momentum Founder Chad Houser

  In April, the renowned James Beard Foundation’s Achievement Awards committee announced Chad Houser, Founder of Café Momentum, as the 2025 Humanitarian of The Year. The award is given to “an individual or organization working in the realm of food who has given selflessly and worked tirelessly to better the lives of others and society at […]

• June 2, 2025 | Pittsburgh

  Where to eat if you’re visiting Pittsburgh for the 2025 U.S. Open There’s something to satisfy every appetite in and around the city during the June golf tournament 

  Cafe MomentumMake your way to Cafe Momentum for an outstanding meal at an establishment with an even more laudable mission. Start your meal with steamed mussels served with green curry, coconut cream and leeks or a local mushroom galette with goat cheese, cranberry jam and arugula. Then dive into mains like seared duck breast with […]

• June 2, 2025 | Dallas

  Our 5 Favorite Dallas Restaurants Right Now — What To Order at Via Triozzi’s New Rooftop Lounge, a Tiki Bar, and More

  This summer is about to heat up for the Dallas dining scene, as we will see at least 10 exciting new restaurant openings (with more bound to pop up along the way). In the meantime, we stopped by five Dallas spots — some new, some local staples — that have made an impression on us this spring. […]

• May 15, 2025 | Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh

  The Scoop on Loockerman Reopens for the Season, Serving Up Second Chances

  DOVER, DE- Summer arrived early in downtown Dover as The Scoop on Loockerman reopened Thursday—serving sweet treats and second chances to local youth. Founded in 2023 and powered by NeighborGood Partners, The Scoop is a youth-run ice cream shop that aims to support justice-involved and at-risk teens through job training, mentorship, and life skills. Inspired by […]

• May 12, 2025 | Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh

  5 Questions With Chad Houser on culinary change, community, and second chances.

  We’re excited to share that our founder and CEO, Chad Houser, was recently featured in High Five—a storytelling series created by Brené Brown. Brené is a research professor, six-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, the host of two award-winning podcasts and one of the most influential voices on courage, vulnerability and leadership today. Her […]

• May 1, 2025 | Atlanta

  Café Momentum Prepares Teens to Work in Restaurant Industry

  A program that gives teenagers hands-on experience working in a restaurant is now up and running in Atlanta. Why it matters: Café Momentum in Downtown redirects at-risk young people to a steady job and income, which can help them stay out of trouble. How it works: The restaurant, which opened in late March, is staffed almost exclusively […]

• April 17, 2025 | Pittsburgh

  Cafe Momentum’s Plating with a Purpose brings guest chefs into downtown nonprofit’s kitchen

  Cafe Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant that provides workforce development opportunities for incarcerated juveniles, has launched a new event series that brings in guest chefs serving specialty dinners. The first event was led by Cory Hughes, the chef of North Side restaurant Fig and Ash and former chef at Google. Hughes also has been heavily involved […]

• April 16, 2025 | Pittsburgh

  Citizens awards grants to two Pittsburgh small businesses and nine nonprofits

  One of the region’s largest banks has announced Pittsburgh-area recipients of two different grant programs. Citizens recognized two local small businesses among 25 across its footprint that are winners of its 8th-annual Small Business Community Champion Awards. It also awarded $120,400 in financial education grants and ongoing volunteer support to nine western Pennsylvania nonprofits as […]

• April 8, 2025 | Pittsburgh

  Cheyenne Tyler is transforming young lives at Cafe Momentum (Personalities of Pittsburgh)

  Cheyenne Tyler is the executive director of Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh, a unique nonprofit that doubles as a restaurant and provides teenagers caught up in the juvenile justice system the opportunity to learn and then work as cooks in a kitchen alongside its new chef, Robert “RC” Carter. A Pittsburgh native, Tyler spent time in Florida as a […]

• April 2, 2025 | Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh

  Chad Houser Named 2025 James Beard Humanitarian of the Year

  We are proud to share that Chad Houser, founder and CEO of Café Momentum, has been named the 2025 James Beard Humanitarian of the Year. This honor from the James Beard Foundation recognizes individuals or organizations within the food industry who have demonstrated exceptional selflessness and dedication to improving the lives of others and society […]