Inman St. Coffeehouse, a social ministry of The Salvation Army, will be celebrating five years of changed lives this Saturday, Oct. 22 with a free concert and anniversary party for the community. The celebration begins at 4 p.m., is open to all, and will include performances from local artists such as Edward + Jane, Ben Strawn, and The Giant and The Tailor.
Serving its first cup of coffee in 2011, Inman St. Coffeehouse began its journey with the mission of serving the Cleveland community, offering a "friendly and safe environment for people to rest, connect, and study."
"In the five years since its inception, Inman St. Coffeehouse is thriving, offering a creative combination of coffees and other beverages for anyone who may walk through the doors.
"In addition to its beloved original coffee, Inman has been making an impact on Cleveland through a unique combination of community programs, such as its internship initiative," officials said.
“One thing we’re especially proud of is our internship program,” said Inman St Coffeehouse’s Joel Rogers. “These are local high school students who volunteer their time to learn how to make coffee, engage in conversations with customers, and serve the members of our community who are underprivileged.
“Getting to serve alongside of our interns and see how this service transforms their lives, even as they transform the lives of others, is an incredibly impactful experience.”
In addition to its internship program, Inman St. Coffeehouse has hosted more than 300 local concerts, helping to mentor, encourage, and propel local artists.
“Our first ever concert was at an Inman event,” said Britain Miethe, singer for The Giant and The Tailor. “The Inman team was so kind and patient with us, and really encouraged us to get at the heart of why music mattered so much to us. We’ve come a long way in terms of music, but more importantly, the amount of purpose, confidence, and joy that this experience has brought to me personally is priceless.”
So what’s next for Inman St. Coffeehouse? "The next five years are looking to be even brighter than the first," officials said.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Inman will open its second location and expand its mission, serving the Cleveland community through a location in the Bradley Square Mall. This new location will offer extended hours, serve a new section of the community, and will allow Inman to expand its dream of showing love through practical ministry, officials said.
For more information about the ministry of Inman St. Coffeehouse, as well as more details on the anniversary celebration, visit: facebook.com/inmanstcoffee. For more information on The Salvation Army, contact Kimberly George at 423-503-1801 or by email to Kimberly.George@uss.salvationarmy.org.