ATLANTA – The heart of downtown Atlanta just got a little brighter with the grand opening of Café Momentum, an award-winning nonprofit restaurant that is redefining juvenile justice through culinary excellence. Located at 200 Peachtree ST NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, this innovative dining establishment is staffed almost entirely by justice-involved youth, offering them not just jobs, but opportunities for transformation.
Café Momentum is known for its casual fine dining experience, and its Atlanta menu is a testament to the city’s rich culinary landscape. Guests can enjoy standout dishes such as smoked fried chicken with braised greens, lobster beignets, shrimp and grits, and brown butter poached sea bass with spinach, turnips, pearl onions, dashi, and miso. Reservations for this one-of-a-kind dining experience can be made here.
Atlanta marks the third brick-and-mortar location for Café Momentum, joining its sister restaurants in Dallas and Pittsburgh. With each new location, the nonprofit furthers its mission to create pathways for justice-involved youth, empowering them to break cycles of incarceration and achieve their full potential.
ATLANTA, GA (March 27, 2025) – Café Momentum, an award-winning nonprofit restaurant that empowers justice-involved youth through paid internships, celebrated the opening of its new permanent location in downtown Atlanta with public dinner service on March, 27th 2025. In partnership with Fulton County’s Department of Juvenile Justice, Café Momentum Atlanta provides young people (ages 15-19) with a one-year paid internship that includes 24/7 case management, life skills training, workforce development, mental health, and education support. With the support of Stand Together Foundation, Café Momentum is expanding its reach to inspire a nationwide shift in youth justice—one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and belief in the potential of every young person.Gina K Danals, Stand Together Senior Photo Editor.ATLANTA, GA (March 27, 2025) – Café Momentum, an award-winning nonprofit restaurant that empowers justice-involved youth through paid internships, celebrated the opening of its new permanent location in downtown Atlanta with public dinner service on March, 27th 2025. In partnership with Fulton County’s Department of Juvenile Justice, Café Momentum Atlanta provides young people (ages 15-19) with a one-year paid internship that includes 24/7 case management, life skills training, workforce development, mental health, and education support. With the support of Stand Together Foundation, Café Momentum is expanding its reach to inspire a nationwide shift in youth justice—one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and belief in the potential of every young person.ATLANTA, GA (March 27, 2025) – Café Momentum, an award-winning nonprofit restaurant that empowers justice-involved youth through paid internships, celebrated the opening of its new permanent location in downtown Atlanta with public dinner service on March, 27th 2025. In partnership with Fulton County’s Department of Juvenile Justice, Café Momentum Atlanta provides young people (ages 15-19) with a one-year paid internship that includes 24/7 case management, life skills training, workforce development, mental health, and education support. With the support of Stand Together Foundation, Café Momentum is expanding its reach to inspire a nationwide shift in youth justice—one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and belief in the potential of every young person.ATLANTA, GA (March 27, 2025) – Café Momentum, an award-winning nonprofit restaurant that empowers justice-involved youth through paid internships, celebrated the opening of its new permanent location in downtown Atlanta with public dinner service on March, 27th 2025. In partnership with Fulton County’s Department of Juvenile Justice, Café Momentum Atlanta provides young people (ages 15-19) with a one-year paid internship that includes 24/7 case management, life skills training, workforce development, mental health, and education support. With the support of Stand Together Foundation, Café Momentum is expanding its reach to inspire a nationwide shift in youth justice—one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and belief in the potential of every young person.ATLANTA, GA (March 27, 2025) – Café Momentum, an award-winning nonprofit restaurant that empowers justice-involved youth through paid internships, celebrated the opening of its new permanent location in downtown Atlanta with public dinner service on March, 27th 2025. In partnership with Fulton County’s Department of Juvenile Justice, Café Momentum Atlanta provides young people (ages 15-19) with a one-year paid internship that includes 24/7 case management, life skills training, workforce development, mental health, and education support. With the support of Stand Together Foundation, Café Momentum is expanding its reach to inspire a nationwide shift in youth justice—one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and belief in the potential of every young person.ATLANTA, GA (March 27, 2025) – Café Momentum, an award-winning nonprofit restaurant that empowers justice-involved youth through paid internships, celebrated the opening of its new permanent location in downtown Atlanta with public dinner service on March, 27th 2025. In partnership with Fulton County’s Department of Juvenile Justice, Café Momentum Atlanta provides young people (ages 15-19) with a one-year paid internship that includes 24/7 case management, life skills training, workforce development, mental health, and education support. With the support of Stand Together Foundation, Café Momentum is expanding its reach to inspire a nationwide shift in youth justice—one rooted in dignity, opportunity, and belief in the potential of every young person.
The March 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony was a momentous occasion, bringing together city officials, business leaders, and community partners who support the nonprofit’s vision. Café Momentum’s Founder and CEO Chad Houser, Atlanta Executive Director Benjamin Wills, Board Chair Clark Dean, and representatives from the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Georgia-Pacific, and the Mayor’s Office all shared remarks celebrating the restaurant’s arrival in Atlanta.
Attendees were given an exclusive first look at the restaurant, sampled its menu, engaged with program interns, and witnessed firsthand the impact of this initiative. That evening, the restaurant officially welcomed its first guests for dinner service, marking the beginning of an inspiring journey for its young interns.
Café Momentum’s unique internship program, the Momentum Model, offers more than just culinary training. It provides a stable income, academic and financial education, and mental health support to young people transitioning out of the juvenile justice system. This holistic framework equips them with the tools and resources to build successful futures and break free from systemic barriers.
“We’re excited to officially open our doors to the public and share Café Momentum’s model with the Atlanta community,” said Benjamin Wills, Executive Director of Café Momentum Atlanta. “These incredible young people have worked tirelessly to make this opening possible, and we hope other justice-involved youth are inspired by what’s possible when their community stands behind them.”
A Movement for Change
Since its founding in Dallas in 2015, Café Momentum has been a driving force for change in youth justice. With the support of Stand Together Foundation, the nonprofit is working to expand its reach nationwide, advocating for a justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation and opportunity over punishment.
“Café Momentum aims to create pathways out of justice involvement so our young people can overcome barriers to unlocking their potential,” said Chad Houser, Founder and CEO of Café Momentum. “This model is shaped by the very young people we serve, so they and future generations can dream without limits.”
The Atlanta expansion is made possible through the generosity of Georgia-Pacific, LLC, a company committed to strengthening communities and improving lives. By partnering with the Departments of Juvenile Justice in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties, Café Momentum is establishing a strong support system to help young people rewrite their stories.
A Vision for the Future
With plans to expand to Denver, Houston, and Baltimore, Café Momentum is determined to create a national impact. The organization envisions a future where restaurants not only serve great food but also serve as catalysts for community transformation.
“Cafe Momentum operates on a simple but powerful idea: people will rise to the expectations placed on them,” said Stand Together Senior Vice President Evan Feinberg. “Thanks to the embrace of the Atlanta community, these young men and women aren’t just running an award-winning restaurant; they’re realizing their full potential.”
