Discovery Café Empowers Youth through Mentorship, Education and Support
Discovery Café is located at 216 W. Walnut St., Kokomo
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt
Discovery Café’s mission is simple: To give teenagers in our community a free and safe space to grow, learn and discover new interests.
From 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 19, Discovery Café is welcoming the public to tour its space and learn more about how to provide support to teenagers in our community.
Discovery Café dreams of creating a safe-space for teens in Kokomo
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt
Organizers say Discovery Café will help children from 12 to 17 years old to work through the challenges of being a teenager. This inclusive and judgment-free zone provides a safe space for teenagers to talk about their goals and struggles with their peers and certified mentors while also having the opportunity to learn about topics or skills that are important to them.
While working with families at Turning Point, a local nonprofit that offers resources to support those with mental health and addiction challenges, Dawn Harvey, the REACH youth director, saw the need for more resources for teenagers.
The Café was designed for and by the teens involved in the program.
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt
Through the success at Turning Point’s Recovery Café, where adults are able to connect with peers in a safe and judgment-free space, the idea for a cafe focused on teenagers was born.
“Families in recovery have kids in recovery,” said Harvey. “But recovery doesn’t just mean from substances. Recovery just means healing.”
Turning Point defines recovery as “dealing with everything from depression and anxiety, to trauma, overeating, homelessness, or any circumstance that keeps a person from thriving.”
“There’s a huge need in the community,” said Kristal O’Hara, Discovery Café coordinator. “It’s important to be there and give our kids as much support as possible. It all starts with them.”
Discovery Café organizers hope that through weekly circle time with peers and a shared meal time, participants will develop new relationships and receive support for daily challenges they may be facing.
Teens will also attend an hour-long weekly class to learn about a topic of their choice, from yoga to coding, photography, marketing and more.
Joining this program is free, and the child may attend up to three times as a guest before joining, which requires an active attendance record.
“My goal for them is to reach every kid, to inspire each kid to want to do better for themselves and to spark an interest in their lives. I’m really trying to provide fulfilling classes and things that they can really use and learn from,” said O’Hara.
The Café offers hands-on activities such as games, music, art, and once a month, members will experience group outings into the community.
You can learn more about Discovery Café and The REACH Youth Program by clicking here. Discovery Cafe is looking for volunteers to help teach classes, as well as adults to be present at the cafe during gathering time.
Those interested in learning more can reach out to Kristal O’Hara at Kristalo@turningpointsoc.org.
The grand opening will be held at Grace United Methodist Hall, 219 W. Mulberry St., Kokomo.