As a student at Lewis,
Theresa Marten ’15 was a very familiar face on campus. She led retreats, worked
as a Peer Minister in the dorms, served as captain of the dance team, and took
part in many other organizations and activities. After all the love and support
Marten had received as a student at Lewis, she realized how important it was to
give back and knew that her next steps involved serving others. And now, she continues
to live out the Lewis mission in her work every single day.
Marten works as Program
Manager for SAME Café – a donation-based, fair exchange restaurant that serves
healthy food to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. At SAME, you can volunteer
your time to help out in the kitchen, bring in fresh produce, or contribute a
fair monetary donation in exchange for a tasty meal. This is based on a
dignified dining model developed by Brad and Libby Birky, founders of SAME
Café. Every single guest who enters SAME is treated equally and has access to
an ever-changing menu of local, healthy, and organic food.
There are no set menus or
set prices, but Marten says the philosophy is their one constant.
“SAME Café is the first non-profit
restaurant in Denver!” says Marten. “Our mission is to create community through
healthy food access. We believe in healthy food, community, and dignity for
everyone.”
Marten joined the café
staff after spending several years volunteering her time and talents at various
non-profits.
Just one day after
walking across the stage at graduation, Theresa moved into the Nativity House
in Lockport, Illinois – a hou
se of hospitality complete with an on-site farm that supports first-time mothers through the principles of the Catholic Social Teachings.
Soon after, Marten moved
to Denver to volunteer with the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers for one year
where she worked as Case Manager at Urban Peak Youth Shelter. She lived in a
community with nine young adults and helped them find work, provided the mental
health services they needed and assisted them in reaching their education
goals.
Marten found the SAME
café right after completing her volunteer year at Urban Peak.
At SAME, Marten says she
encounters a diverse and unique group of people daily who help her relate to
her community in a more important way. One of those special people is SAME Cafe
Head Chef and Operations Officer, Letisha Steele.
“As I began working at
the café, I started to understand the beauty in regular customers and the joy
new guests experienced as they were able to participate in the way that made
sense for them,” says Marten. “I am motivated by the leadership of Letisha
Steele. Her ability to invite our team and volunteers to appreciate, take care
of, and reduce waste of all the food that comes through our doors is
inspiring.”
Marten says with the help
of donors, guests, and leaders like Letisha, SAME Café was able to recently purchase
a food truck to continue to bring healthy meals to the greater Denver area.
SAME has also received funding for its Cook-To-Work Program, a free program for
underserved citizens in Denver looking to develop their culinary skills and
then find a job in the industry.
Just as SAME Café remains
firm in their mission, so does Theresa.
"I have been lucky
to have built such a wonderful community through Urban Peak, Colorado Vincentian
Volunteers, and SAME Café. Through all of these experiences, I have been given
a lot, taught a lot, and seen a lot. I just feel grateful. Life can be really
difficult and I hope our work helps make it possible for people to feel needed
and human."
