The House Cafe - 2024

The House Cafe received a $5,000 grant through the YES! Fund to support their mission of providing safe, engaging weekend events for youth in their community. 

This funding played a vital role in ensuring students had consistent access to positive, enriching activities in a rural community where options for youth can be limited, and the risks of exposure to drugs and alcohol are real. With support from the YES! Fund, The House Cafe was able to host high-quality, professionally planned events completely free of charge for participants.

Activities included Game Show Night (featuring Jeopardy, Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, and The Price is Right), Bingo, trivia nights, escape rooms, and a New Year’s Eve celebration. The center also offered open game nights, where students could enjoy Xbox consoles, VR headsets, Nintendo Switches, pool, and air hockey. Each event included home-cooked or catered meals, desserts, and prizes, creating a fun and welcoming environment.

These gatherings go beyond entertainment; they provide a safe space for students to build positive relationships with caring adults, explore their interests, and enjoy structured activities in a supportive atmosphere. The funding helped remove financial barriers and allowed the organization to focus on excellence in planning and impact.

Thanks to the generosity of the YES! With funding from the Fund and the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, The House Cafe continues to foster connection, belonging, and opportunity for young people.