Bellden Cafe has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the development of its first professional Tea & Dinner Workforce Development Program in Bellevue. The campaign has a fundraising goal of $36,800 and is designed to support equipment purchases, training curriculum development, and café space enhancements needed to launch the program.
The social enterprise café aims to create a structured hospitality training pathway for people with limited or no industry experience. According to owner Claire Sumadiwirya, the program will train participants in tea service, dinner hospitality skills, and table-side service techniques while helping workers build long-term career opportunities.
Since opening eight years ago, Bellden Cafe has focused on workforce development as part of its business model. The café has created more than 200 jobs, logged over 2,000 hours of paid volunteer time, and partnered with coffee supplier Coava Coffee to support career pathways for individuals, including refugees, survivors of human trafficking, single mothers, and people with disabilities.
Funds raised through the campaign will be used exclusively for the workforce program, including professional tea and dinner service equipment, curriculum development, and launch costs. The campaign also introduces new community experiences, including afternoon tea service and signature dinner events with live music.
Reward items offered through the Kickstarter are produced by program trainees, including handmade granola, in-house candles, and a custom signature barista roast developed for training purposes. Individuals who donate to the campaign will also have their name included on a student-created mural at Bellden Cafe, recognizing supporters of the workforce training program.
The campaign is currently live. Learn more about the campaign and the available rewards associated with different donation levels by visiting the Kickstarter page.
