Be Café
A Be Café Berista smiling while handing a coffee across the counter

Believe. Belong. Become.

Your new favorite coffee shop happens to change lives.

Three West Michigan cafés, staffed by Beristas — adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are building real skills behind a real counter.

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Coffee with a Purpose

A first job that leads somewhere.

Beristas learn the craft the way any barista does — on the bar, on the register, in the morning rush. Along the way they pick up the habits employers hire for: communication, consistency, problem-solving, and pride in the work.

Train on the bar

Hands-on shifts with coaching in the moment.

Build the skills

Customer service, teamwork, and workplace routines.

Move forward

Support toward lasting, meaningful employment.

Read our mission
Milk being poured into a latte on a wooden café counter

Three cafés, one welcome.

Stop in for a pour-over, a meeting, or the fastest latte on Spaulding.

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Be Café Beristas and team members gathered outside a café holding a Be Kind sign

Meet the Beristas

The people behind the counter.

Every Be Café shift is run by people who know their regulars by name and their drinks by heart. Their stories belong to them — we share them only with permission.

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Add approved Berista names, photos, quotes, or short videos here. Nothing is shown until your team confirms it.

See the stories page

Ways to Be Part of It

Visit

Bring a friend, bring your laptop, bring the whole team.

Find a café

Donate

Fund hiring, coaching, and training hours.

Give today

Shop

Wear the mission with Be Café apparel.

Visit the shop

Show up

Join us at benefits and community events.

See events

Your gift pays for the coaching behind the counter.

Coffee sales alone don't cover the job coaching, training hours, and one-on-one support that make a Be Café shift work. Donations do — and they go straight into hiring and developing Beristas.

Donate nowOther ways to help
Welcoming event space inside Be Café

Gather at Be Café

Host an Event

Book your next private event in a place where everyone belongs. Our Ada and East Grand Rapids Be Cafés are available for board meetings, team outings, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and more.

Book Now