• September 27, 2022 | Denver

  How the Broncos supported youth coming out of the juvenile justice system by hosting Cafe Momentum

  On the grass lawn just outside Empower Field at Mile High, players, fans and community members mingled under the warm glow of string lights. As the crowd danced along to lively funk and soul tunes, they were enveloped by the aromas of slow-cooked barbecue, sizzling spring rolls, cheesy nachos and much, much more. The gourmet-style […]

• July 7, 2022 | Dallas, Nashville, Pittsburgh

  Chad Houser gives formerly incarcerated youths a path to stability

  Three years ago, Cameron Carver was 15 and coming out of the juvenile justice program in Nashville, Tenn., after being incarcerated. He needed to help provide for his family, he said. “But I didn’t know how to do that the right way.” A probation officer told him about a pop-up coming to town, hosted by […]

• June 10, 2022 | Pittsburgh

  Fine dining restaurant geared to help teens set to open in Pittsburgh

  Source. Cafe Momentum, a fine dining restaurant designed to help teens who have been part of the criminal justice system, is scheduled to open in downtown Pittsburgh in August. The restaurant was created in Dallas seven years ago by Chad Houser.”Over the last seven years we worked with over 1,000 youth,” Houser said. Cafe Momentum […]

• April 7, 2021 | Pittsburgh

  Providing confidence, motivation and more

  Offensive lineman Zach Banner and former defensive back and current judge Honorable Dwayne Woodruff recently took part in the Café Momentum Virtual Dinner: Growing Opportunity. The Steelers partnered with the Players Coalition and Café Momentum for the dinner conversation, and yes everyone on the panel did enjoy dinner from home as they shared in depth […]

• March 23, 2021 | Dallas, Nashville, Pittsburgh

  Can Restaurants Revolutionize the Juvenile Justice System? This Dallas Chef Turned Nonprofit Leader Is Betting On It

  BY SANDRA ENGELLAND • MAR 11, 2021 “My priority in social innovation must center around creating ideas for lasting change,” Chad Houser says. It’s been a busy year for the English lit major turned chef, restaurateur, and nonprofit founder—a winding path that prepared him for where he is today. There are no shortcuts, he says. […]

• February 23, 2021 | Dallas

  Transforming Lives and Creating Opportunity for At-Risk Youth

  A Conversation with Chad Houser, Founder, CEO, and Executive Chef at Café Momentum Chef Chad Houser came to a sudden realization: Not everyone has equal access to the American dream. He evolved his dream to create Café Momentum, which works to provide opportunity and break cycles of poverty. Chad Houser (center) with participants from the […]

• October 19, 2020 | Dallas

  Cafe Momentum Partners with Another Nonprofit to Expand its Reach

  Café Momentum is expanding its efforts to help young people who have been caught up in the criminal justice system. The Dallas-based nonprofit/restaurant is partnering with Stand Together Foundation to launch Momentum Advisory Co. Stand Together has invested $1.9 million to support the effort, which will build programs to expand opportunities for youths. Read the full article here via […]

• October 19, 2020 | Dallas

  Cafe Momentum Takes Culinary Program for Juvenile Offenders National

  Café Momentum, the acclaimed culinary training program started by Dallas Chef Chad Houser to teach juvenile offenders a trade, is going national. Stand Together Foundation invested $1.9 million to help launch Momentum Advisory Co. (M.A.C.), taking Café Momentum’s nonprofit restaurant model nationwide. M.A.C. programs will “expand opportunity and enable system-involved youth to reach their full […]

• October 19, 2020 | Dallas

  Cafe Momentum Takes Mission Nationwide

  Despite the pandemic, one North Texas restaurant is building momentum. It has a unique concept known for turning workers’ lives around. At a time when that’s needed more than ever, NBC 5’s Noelle Walker found out how Cafe Momentum will take that mission nationwide. Watch video here via NBC5

• October 19, 2020 | Dallas

  Cafe Momentum powers up for life mid-pandemic

  Chad Houser is practically giddy when he tells people his “momentum” is back. His restaurant, Café Momentum, closed since March 15 because of the pandemic, reopened last month. The café’s student-employees — many of whom are at-risk youth — are back serving the restaurant’s customers, and continuing to prepare for industry opportunities. Houser, a longtime […]

• October 19, 2020 | Dallas

  Restaurant owner delivers food to children in need

  “GMA” sponsor Lay’s honors people across the country who bring positive change to their communities through the “Smile with Lay’s” campaign. Watch video here via Good Morning America

• October 19, 2020 | Dallas

  BLACK LACROSSE ALLIANCES ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH PLAYERS COALITION

  Players Coalition and the Black Lacrosse Alliance announced today a formal partnership and consolidated effort to pursue their overlapping humanitarian and educational social justice missions.  These organizations represent player-founded and player-driven efforts to promote social justice and racial equality through advocacy, awareness, education and a shared allocation of resources. With the addition of Black Lacrosse […]