welcome to the freedom a la cart café + bakery
Learn about the cause behind the cuisine
Freedom a la Cart empowers survivors of human trafficking and exploitation to build lives of freedom + self-sufficiency.
We believe that giving a woman practical job skills and developing a strong work ethic is vital for creating a pathway to freedom.
the need for freedom
our impact
her story
Natalie spent two years in Freedom’s workforce development program. While in the program, she participated in our Savings Match program and purchased a car from Ricart Automotive; moved out of Amethyst and into her own apartment; and received educational tutoring, and ultimately earned her GED.
As a Freedom a la Cart employee, Natalie excelled in our catering department but shined brighter as a barista working front-of-house in the café. She was reliable, dependable and customers’ loved her positive and upbeat personality. She was the founding force behind our widely successful Open Mic Night. She also collaborated with Freedom and The Black Women Rise Poetry Collective to provide Poetry Workshops to the Butterflies and Freedom Community.
Natalie had a dream of owning her own residential facility for individuals in recovery. As a Phase 3 participant working on transitioning out of Freedom, she was unclear what her next step would be. When our partner, Wallick Communities, mentioned they were hiring leasing agents for newly acquired properties, Natalie immediately came to mind with her exceptional customer service. After attending their job fair and several interviews, Natalie was offered a management position earning a salary plus benefits!
She is doing amazing! Though the job is challenging, Natalie is taking many principles she learned and observed at Freedom and applying them in her new role. She stops by the Freedom Loft every few weeks to have lunch and stay connected. One day when a resident at the property she manages became verbally aggressive, she calmly addressed the resident, but then came over to Freedom (her safe place of support) to decompress and process the incident. This is Freedom a la Cart at work!
*Name has been changed to keep the program participant’s identity safe.
want to learn more + get involved?
Learn more about our programs here.
Get engaged here.
Subscribe to our e-newsletters here.
Need catering? We have you covered. Check out our catering menu here.
need help?
National Human Trafficking Hotline Number: 888-373-7888
Text INFO to 233733
*For your safety, please never approach a trafficker. Report suspicions to the hotline or call 911.