June Newsletter
NeighborUp Block Party, Celebrate Torani, and More!
NeighborUp Block Party, Celebrate Torani, and More!
This month we are all about fun in the sun. Not only will we be starting our tasty new summer menu this week, we'll also be attending NeighborUp's annual block party on the 13th, where we'll be announcing something big that's been percolating for awhile!
We are also thrilled to welcome our first Premium Partner to Brewing Opportunities 2026: A Wonderland of Possibilities. This partner has been with us since the beginning, and we are so grateful to celebrate them and share all the good that they are doing in communities around the country!
As we roll into summer, please note that we are now closing at 4:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
We are thrilled to announce and celebrate Torani as the very first Premium Partner for Brewing Opportunities 2026: A Wonderland of Possibilities!
Torani has been part of the Esteamed Coffee story from the very beginning. Beyond providing the flavors our guests know and love, they have continually invested in our mission, our team, and the belief that meaningful employment and community belonging should be accessible to everyone - as they like to say, "Flavor for All, Opportunity for All."
Their commitment to empowerment extends far beyond Esteamed Coffee through their Opportunity Cafe Collective - a growing network of "for-purpose" cafes across the country creating employment opportunities and inclusive spaces for people of all abilities and backgrounds. Through the Opportunity Cafe Fund, they also provide critical support and sponsorship for Esteamed Coffee and other mission-driven cafes, helping strengthen and expand this movement in meaningful ways.
We are honored to be part of a community of organizations working to build a more inclusive world through coffee, connection, and dignity. Partnerships like this help make our work possible, and we are deeply grateful for Torani’s continued support, encouragement, and belief in what our team can accomplish. Thank you, Torani, for helping us dream bigger and create more opportunities for adults with disabilities in our community!
We hope you’ll join us for Brewing Opportunities 2026: A Wonderland of Possibilities on October 11th as we celebrate stories of inclusion, opportunity, and the incredible impact our community can create together. Gala tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now!
Esteamed Coffee is excited to be part of the very first NeighborUp Block Party on June 13th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, a celebration of community, connection, and all the incredible work happening right here in our neighborhood!
Formerly known as the Dorcas Birthday Bash, this year’s event will feature food trucks, thrift store sales and specials, raffles, family-friendly activities, and more. Stop by the Esteamed Coffee booth to enjoy complimentary coffee samples and help us decorate special pastry bags for future guests.
At Esteamed Coffee, we believe in creating meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities while building spaces rooted in dignity, belonging, and connection. That mission naturally aligns with the work that NeighborUp does every day to empower underestimated members of our community and provide resources, support, and opportunity for so many families across Wake County.
We’re also incredibly excited to finally share something on June 13th that’s been brewing for nearly a year! We can’t reveal all the details just yet, but trust us - you’ll want to be there for this exciting next chapter. We can't wait to see you there!
This month, we want to shine a spotlight on our barista Alissa, who recently starred as Wendy in an Inclusive Arts production of Peter Pan Jr. This isn’t her first time performing with Inclusive Arts, but this latest role marked something especially meaningful.
During intermission, Alissa’s mom shared something that stayed with us. She reflected that Alissa no longer describes herself as someone who “likes to sing” or “likes to act.” Instead, she now says, “I am a singer” and “I am an actress.” That shift may sound simple, but it represents something powerful: identity, confidence, and ownership of her talents, supported through both her experiences at Esteamed Coffee and her opportunities with Inclusive Arts.
This is what our mission is all about. We don’t just see skills being learned; we see identities being formed and strengthened. We see individuals stepping into who they are and gaining confidence in their abilities. Alissa’s journey is a beautiful reminder that when people are given opportunity, encouragement, and community, they don’t just participate - they flourish. We can't wait to see what this singer and actress does next!
Your donation helps the Esteamed Coffee® team and all people with disabilities have a place where belonging meets community.