From the ground up, we grow futures.
Root & Rise Café is a nonprofit workforce development and community café program proudly operated by The Luc Cochran Foundation (TLCF). This innovative social enterprise will provide paid training and employment to youth ages 16–24, teaching them real-world skills in food service, customer care, and entrepreneurship — all while serving affordable, high-quality meals to the community.
But Root & Rise Café is more than a café — it’s a launchpad for opportunity. Designed as a modern, multipurpose space, the café will feature flexible seating for tutoring, study sessions, and workshops, along with large ADA-accessible restrooms and open community areas. In the evenings, the café will also be available for approved private or community events, creating an additional revenue stream that directly supports youth stipends, supplies, and program sustainability.
Our goals are simple but powerful:
Reduce youth unemployment and poverty in Metro Atlanta
Provide hands-on job experience and soft skills training
Offer mentorship and wraparound career support
Create a safe, inclusive community hub for learning and connection
Reinvest all proceeds back into youth development and café sustainability
Your gift helps us fund the café’s launch — including equipment, buildout, furnishings, youth training materials, and startup costs. Every dollar is a seed that grows futures. 🌱