Opened in April 2022, Living Free Café is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. Located at 2050 NV-160 Suite 400, (Mesquite Ave and Hwy 160, two miles north of the Home Depot), the Café serves as a therapeutic workplace designed to help individuals in recovery build confidence, develop job skills, and reintegrate into the workforce in a supportive, structured environment.
“The café is often a client’s first step back into the working world,” said Poerio. “Many of our employees have never held a real job, or they’ve been out of the workforce for so long that they’ve lost all confidence. We ease them in, starting with simple tasks and gradually helping them take on more responsibility.”
Employees learn everything from customer service and handling money to teamwork and time management. “One woman who started here wouldn’t even make eye contact with customers when she first arrived,” Poerio recalled. “She had been through so much trauma that she was afraid of interaction. With the help of her teammates, she eventually developed the confidence and sense of safety she needed to be able to learn and eventually become a great customer-facing employee. That transformation is why we do what we do.”
Because many staff members at the café are themselves in recovery, it fosters a strong peer-support system. “There’s an understanding among the employees that’s hard to replicate in a traditional job setting,” said DJ Mills. “They lift each other up and help each other navigate challenges, whether it’s work-related or personal.”
Beyond providing job training, the café teaches financial literacy applicable to the business and personal money management. as a financial safety net for clients. Living Free subsidizes wages and Employee-clients learn to save money, pay off debts, and work toward independent living.
“We’re not just giving people a job—we’re helping them create a sustainable future,” Poerio said. “We teach them how to budget, how to plan for the future, and how to build a life they’re proud of.”
Customers at the café can feel good knowing that their purchases directly support Living Free’s mission. Every cup of coffee, every sandwich, and every tip contributes to keeping this life-changing program running.
“It’s not about making a profit,” Poerio emphasized. “It’s about making a difference.”
