Compassion Café’s First Season On LBI Ends This Week

BEACH HAVEN, NJ — Compassion Café's first season is coming to an end on Thursday at their 2021 host location, Barry's Do Me A Flavor, in Beach Haven

"Can hardly believe the final week of our first season is here! The people we’ve met and the memories we made have certainly made this summer unforgettable," the nonprofit wrote on Facebook. "Come out this week to help us end year one right. Our last day will be this Thursday, and we’ll be celebrating with free coffee for all!"

The café will be open from 7 to 11 a.m. this week through Thursday.

Compassion Café is a nonprofit founded by Erin Sharkey and Sue Sharkey with the goal of providing meaningful employment for adolescents and adults with disabilities.

The nonprofit partners with local businesses that donate their spaces to the nonprofit in the morning. Barry's Do Me A Flavor has been serving as Compassion Café's first host location for the 2021 season. On Monday through Thursday from 7 to 11 a.m., the restaurant is transformed into a coffee shop where pastries, coffee and freshly baked dog treats are for sale.

Compassion Café made national headlines this summer, including a feature on the “Today” show. Read more: 'Today' Show Features Long Beach Island's Compassion Café

The feature highlighted how the nonprofit not only gives people an opportunity to learn new skills, but also a chance to earn their own paycheck.

Compassion Café already has a host location lined up for spring 2022 at The Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club in Beach Haven.

“After an amazing, indescribable inaugural season at our first host location @barrysdomeaflavor, next summer we’re taking our extraordinary service to the The Shell! Our smiling staff, delicious coffee and breakfast items, and of course our dog bakery items, will all be available alongside the Atlantic,” Compassion Café said on Facebook.

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