5 Years of Sip of Hope
This past Sunday friendly faces and community members came together to celebrate five years of tasty coffee, open conversations, and hope. April 30th marked Sip of Hope’s five year anniversary.
As the world’s first coffee shop where 100% of the proceeds support proactive suicide prevention, Sip of Hope offers more than just fresh brews and pastries, though the coffee itself creates a natural connection point.
Coffee shops are a go-to place when meeting up with an old friend, blind date, or treating yourself to a day out. Sip of Hope’s inviting atmosphere fosters those conversations and connections, according to the shop’s manager, Brian Kmiecik.
“We're accessible to all people and there's no stigma or judgment once you walk through the door,” Kmiecik said. “So that leads to more honesty and real conversations.”
That cozy atmosphere is complete with warm wood tones, exposed brick, and murals covering the walls. From Matthew Hoffman’s rendition of “it’s ok not to be ok” welcoming you into the shop to the fun and funky work of Lauren Asta on the back wall, if the coffee doesn’t get the creative juices flowing, the art will.
The open space with minimal wall structures creates an inviting environment where conversation between customers and baristas is fostered and encouraged. A large window lets in valuable natural light and offers people a view of life passing by in Logan Square.
In short, Sip of Hope provides a safe space where people are welcome no matter who they are or where they’re at on their mental health journey.
If seeking some help, feel free to chat with one of the wonderful baristas. All the baristas are happy to chat if you just need to be heard or want some guidance to resources. The stigma-free environment helps nurture honest conversations about mental health.
“We have created a welcoming, comfortable space and I think that just kind of naturally provides a space for those conversations to organically take place,” Kmiecik said.
While anyone is welcome to ask for help, some may not feel ready or comfortable talking about it. This is why at the entrance of the shop, guests can find a variety of mental health resources, including Hope for the Day’s own resource cards. This allows access to the help they need without needing to speak to anyone.
Next to the resources sits the newest addition to the cafe, a capsule machine filled with Hope Notes. With one turn of the knob, you can receive an encouraging message to brighten your day.
Sip of Hope might not be able to solve all problems with a cup of coffee, but hopefully the conversations and resources can help point you in the right direction.
To everyone that’s stopped into Sip of Hope over the past five years, thank you. Whether you’ve dropped in for a quick cup, spent work-from-home days at the shop, or caught up with friends over a pastry and tea, we appreciate you. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our community.
We look forward to continuing to provide you with a comfortable space, hot coffee, and help when you need it.