Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Lauren Wilson Young, Owner of Sweet LaLa’s Bakery, and Melissa Todd, Executive Director of The Front Porch, who highlight the new community gathering space at Second Baptist Church, which will be opening soon and include Second Helpings Cafe operated by Sweet LaLa’s Bakery and provide a welcoming venue for various community events and mental health services. The facility will feature multiple spaces for events, counseling services, and a cafe offering social enterprise products, with programming aimed at reducing isolation and fostering connections among diverse community members. The project has secured funding through a capital campaign and is preparing for its grand opening in November, with plans to expand operations and programming in the coming months while seeking additional community support and event bookings.
Community Gathering Space Development
The discussion focuses on the development of a community gathering space on the campus of Second Baptist Church, which will include Second Helpings Cafe operated by Lauren Wilson Young of Sweet LaLa’s Bakery. The project aims to address loneliness and mental health through partnerships with Baptist Center for Good Grief, which provides free counseling services, while also serving as a permanent venue for community events. Melissa Todd, Executive Director of the Front Porch, describes the venue as a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, with an emphasis on fostering connections and reducing stigma around mental health and grief.
Community Center Partnership and Events
Lauren and Melissa describe the new community center featuring a cafe in partnership with Sweet LaLa’s, event spaces for 50-72 people, and private office space occupied by Baptist Center for Good Grief and Christian Psychological Center. Currently, there are two additional offices available. The venue will host free monthly events including entertainment, art, and speaker series, with partnerships planned with organizations like the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The center is a nonprofit and will maintain an alcohol-free policy and focus on welcoming people of all backgrounds, with both community and business-oriented programming.
Memphis Community Gathering Space Plans
The group discusses the importance of having a community gathering space in Memphis, focusing on reducing isolation and fostering connections. Melissa highlights statistics on loneliness and described plans for volunteer programs and hospitality initiatives to create a welcoming environment. Lauren shares her family’s vision for the space, emphasizing its role in bringing people together across different backgrounds. The project has secured funding through a $5 million capital campaign supported by local foundations and families, with construction progressing quickly.
Second Helpings Cafe Grand Opening
Melissa announces that the official grand opening of the new location will be on November 8th from 2 to 4 PM, while Lauren shares that Second Helpings Cafe will have a limited menu featuring wraps, salads, soup, and a full espresso bar, with a focus on social enterprise products like Thistle & Bee granola and honey. The cafe will operate with modest hours and a picnic-style menu concept, with plans to expand to a full menu and hours in January.
Porch Memphis Project Update
Lauren and Melissa discuss the progress and goals of the Front Porch Memphis project, emphasizing the need for community support through event bookings, word-of-mouth promotion, and corporate sponsorships. They highlight ongoing capital campaign efforts and the opportunity for recognition through naming rights. Melissa encourages potential users to book the space for events and offers to provide hard hat tours, while also mentioning that the facility is already being booked by organizations like New Memphis and the Society of Entrepreneurs. Contact information and social media details were shared for further engagement.
Visit https://www.thefrontporchmemphis.org to learn more about The Front Porch.
