New Logan Square Coffeeshop Hopes To Remove Mental Health Stigmas | Eater Chicago

"Operated by Hope for the Day as a social-enterprise cafe and mental-health outreach hub, this 1,600-square-foot, 44-seat Logan Square space is designed to destigmatize mental illness and connect people to resources. Dark Matter Coffee supplies the beans and charity-focused brews (with Chocolate City cold brew on tap and an agave-latte variation available), and profits are directed back to the nonprofit. All staff are certified in Mental Health First Aid and the shop provides printed materials and contact information for counseling and crisis services — including support for people with suicidal thoughts — positioning itself as a bridge rather than a drop-in clinic and offering help to uninsured workers in the restaurant and bar industry. Food offerings start with baked goods from West Town Bakery while ownership and the menu will be adjusted based on early sales; the organization has already distributed roughly 500,000 fliers through partners and aims to expand training (targeting 5,000 more certified people) and community outreach." - Ashok Selvam