Kafenia offers welcome, refuge, and real human connection in an ever more virtual world. Our community is inspired by diverse voices from village cultures who understand the value of relationship and our shared humanity. We weave ourselves into a Village of all Together, listening and sharing our voices, stories, cultures, visions, callings, through circles and creative community offerings. In the process, we build a more humane, interconnected Silicon Valley & a more peaceful, inclusive world.
KAFENIA CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Led by Kafenia friends, we are partnering closely on efforts to
bring us together and build our village.
Current Projects
Edu-Kits: educational and practical support for children & their families living in RVs
in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto & Mountain View (with Evelyne Keomian / Karat School Project).
DONATE AT KSP.
Umoja Health Vaccine Equity
for East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and North Fair Oaks / Redwood City. Bringing vaccinations and health care to local communities, 'for us, by us.'
Community members can join Mondays, 5-6 pm
Email Barbara to join.
WordSlam4 Youth Poetry Contest for Youth
in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven (Menlo Park) and North Fair Oaks (Redwood City).
Learn more Here
Donate through Kafenia (put "Poetry" in note)
Ottoman Healing House
This is a journey to heal ancestral wounds and reclaim our diversity, with descendents of the Ottoman Empire. This project blends a personal journey and expressive arts with a deep study of history.
Recent Projects
WordSlam Had 3 Poetry Contests in 2021 & 2022
First of the Month Rent Fund. From March - November 2020, the fund provided multiple months rent to 350 families to help them weather the COVID lockdown.
“We don’t want a single neighbor to lose their home, community, or school because of COVID-19,
and with your help, we can make sure that’s true,” said Mary Jane Marcus, Founder of Kafenia.
Contact Barbara to learn more or help out! BarbaraWeinstein2@gmail.com
Led by Kafenia friends, we are partnering closely on efforts to
bring us together and build our village.
Current Projects
Edu-Kits: educational and practical support for children & their families living in RVs
in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto & Mountain View (with Evelyne Keomian / Karat School Project).
DONATE AT KSP.
Umoja Health Vaccine Equity
for East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and North Fair Oaks / Redwood City. Bringing vaccinations and health care to local communities, 'for us, by us.'
Community members can join Mondays, 5-6 pm
Email Barbara to join.
WordSlam4 Youth Poetry Contest for Youth
in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven (Menlo Park) and North Fair Oaks (Redwood City).
Learn more Here
Donate through Kafenia (put "Poetry" in note)
Ottoman Healing House
This is a journey to heal ancestral wounds and reclaim our diversity, with descendents of the Ottoman Empire. This project blends a personal journey and expressive arts with a deep study of history.
Recent Projects
WordSlam Had 3 Poetry Contests in 2021 & 2022
First of the Month Rent Fund. From March - November 2020, the fund provided multiple months rent to 350 families to help them weather the COVID lockdown.
“We don’t want a single neighbor to lose their home, community, or school because of COVID-19,
and with your help, we can make sure that’s true,” said Mary Jane Marcus, Founder of Kafenia.
Contact Barbara to learn more or help out! BarbaraWeinstein2@gmail.com
Thank you on behalf of our 'Village of All Together', which we need now more than ever before.
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About The Kafenia:
Normally (except during COVID!) we are a physical place for our global humanity
- deep connection, friendship, and food in Silicon Valley.
We are looking for a sustained, permanent home that blends food, culture and civic engagement.
Status:
We've gone virtual! We're continuing to host weekly gatherings to bring people together and support each other during the COVID crisis. And our COVID team is connecting people who want to help out with those in need. We're focusing especially on East Palo Alto, where the need is great and resources are limited.
Who are we?
The Kafenia Peace Collective is growing a community of "bridge builders" with roots around the world who stand for a Silicon Valley & world where everyone is included and thrives. We call this a "Village of All Together." (Inspired by this.)
We do this by creating a village-spirited cross-cultural deeply connective HOME BASE (right now, temporary, but eventually permanent) from which we can grow this spirit, share our cultures, prototype new inclusive paradigms and wreak some loving creative havoc in SV. You are welcome!
What is the Kafenia?
The Kafenia is a reimagining of the traditional Greek kafenio where men shared food, friendship and social and political life together. My grandfather had a kafenio at 16th and Folsom in San Francisco in the 1930s to keep the village alive in a bustling metropolis - but it was only for men. Now, as his granddaughter, Mary Jane, whose father was a WW2 refugee and who has done peacebuilding around the world, I am reimagining it as a multicultural village in Silicon Valley- with women front and center. (see World Pulse story.)
Normally (except during COVID!) we are a physical place for our global humanity
- deep connection, friendship, and food in Silicon Valley.
We are looking for a sustained, permanent home that blends food, culture and civic engagement.
Status:
We've gone virtual! We're continuing to host weekly gatherings to bring people together and support each other during the COVID crisis. And our COVID team is connecting people who want to help out with those in need. We're focusing especially on East Palo Alto, where the need is great and resources are limited.
Who are we?
The Kafenia Peace Collective is growing a community of "bridge builders" with roots around the world who stand for a Silicon Valley & world where everyone is included and thrives. We call this a "Village of All Together." (Inspired by this.)
We do this by creating a village-spirited cross-cultural deeply connective HOME BASE (right now, temporary, but eventually permanent) from which we can grow this spirit, share our cultures, prototype new inclusive paradigms and wreak some loving creative havoc in SV. You are welcome!
What is the Kafenia?
The Kafenia is a reimagining of the traditional Greek kafenio where men shared food, friendship and social and political life together. My grandfather had a kafenio at 16th and Folsom in San Francisco in the 1930s to keep the village alive in a bustling metropolis - but it was only for men. Now, as his granddaughter, Mary Jane, whose father was a WW2 refugee and who has done peacebuilding around the world, I am reimagining it as a multicultural village in Silicon Valley- with women front and center. (see World Pulse story.)