A50S3103-nc.jpg

Learn How Café the Lodge is Breaking Down Barriers

We vote with our dollars all the time. It’s a sentiment that’s commonly expressed among activists, but you don’t have to self-identify as one to appreciate the wisdom in it. Think of it this way: Whatever you put money toward, you actively endorse. You want it to stick around. You’re putting your money where your mouth is, so to speak.

At Café the Lodge, the money you pay for lunch feeds you and those around you in many ways. When you order that burger, salad or a cup of coffee, your dollars go directly toward rehabilitating lives and bringing people toward self-sufficiency and sustainability. That’s because Café the Lodge is staffed almost entirely of people—up to about 18 or so—who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and are transitioning into the workforce. The Café helps them establish independent living routines. (The full name of the establishment is the Mental Health Recovery Lodge of Northampton County.)

Many models for recovery lack a component of integration, but at the Café, it goes a step further. Many of the employees live and work on site (there are apartments upstairs—hence, the “Lodge”), but not all who live on site work at the Lodge, and vice versa. The Café is merely one component—albeit a very public-facing one—of how the Lodge works. The Lodge and the Café are programs of Resources for Human Development (RHD), a national human services nonprofit whose programs address issues ranging from intellectual and behavioral disabilities, to behavioral health, homelessness, addiction recovery and more. (This year RHD celebrates 50 years of creating and delivering essential services in caring and effective programs across the country.)

The Café and the Lodge fill in some missing links and gaps that other programs lack. Café director Ian Panyko puts it this way: “We work out the kinks.” “We look at what people need to be well. People need to be engaged in community to do well,” says Panyko. It seems like common sense, but it’s an uncommon model.

It’s the guiding principle behind the Lodge—Fairweather Lodge Housing is named after psychologist George Fairweather, who found that patients with mental illness fared much better during recovery if they lived and worked together in a community.

“Something I always tell the people I work with is that no matter who you are, mental illness or not, if you aren’t engaged and living a productive life, you aren’t going to be well,” he says. “We are our best when we are living meaningful lives and our program is here to help people find and achieve those meaningful lives.”

Perhaps the coolest thing, other than supporting a community nonprofit and getting a great meal, is the fact that Café the Lodge does so much to break down barriers, both internal and external. Panyko explains that they work with employees on accountability, responsibility, professionalism, hygiene—all kinds of things. Basically, the goal is to help people develop all the skills they would need in order to hold down a full-time job on their own, without the support. Some people transition through the program in a few months to full-time work and independent living—others stay for a few years.

“Everyone has barriers. But they have the desire to work, and this is the place where people can work through those barriers. It really helps to build their confidence,” Panyko explains.

For customers at the Café, it’s a different experience altogether.

“It allows people to interact on a level playing field. People don’t always realize they are interacting with someone who is in recovery. It challenges the stigma of what mental health and recovery look like,” says Panyko, who has been working in kitchens since he was 12 but also has a clinical psychology and counseling background.

Other personnel involved in the Café also come from a combination of clinical counseling and culinary backgrounds. Kevin McCabe, assistant director, has a background in clinical counseling psychology, and Allen Singer, the Café’s chef, worked for many years at the beloved (but closed) Susan’s Catering.

It helps that the Café is highly visible, located on 4th Street on South Side Bethlehem, with a gorgeous mural on the side of the building. Art is a significant component of the programming at Café the Lodge. There’s a whole room in the back that at press time was in the process of being painted in preparation for community projects. The whole interior wall at the Café is full of dozens of works of art, at all kinds of price points and rendered in all manner of styles and media. The art features work from the community, staff and residents, and the exhibits rotate throughout the year. Another bonus? The artist receives a generous 85 percent of the proceeds.

Now, about the food, right? There are many familiar items on the menu, but don’t discount something just because it’s familiar. In fact, it’s easy to argue the opposite: Everyone knows what makes for a good BLT. Or a quality grilled cheese sandwich. Or a quiche. So, when you meet creative exemplars of the form for these items or others, for example, it’s worth mentioning. That’s what you’ll find at the Café. The BLT is on grilled sourdough bread—not just plain ole white bread. Pork roll and cheese is on brioche. And so forth.

One of the most prized orders here is the Cuban Panini, with pork, ham, Swiss cheese, garlic aioli on a Portuguese roll. But the Tomato Mozzarella Melt is plenty delicious too—mozzarella, tomato, pesto on sourdough.

It’s worth applauding a café that serves breakfast sandwiches all day. Some of us just love eggs regardless of the time on the clock. Otherwise, breakfast is served until 11 a.m., and if you’re there during that time, please consider the Veggie Scramble, with fresh baby spinach, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms and onions. Or the South of the Border, with peppers, onions, cheddar, pickled jalapeños and salsa.

Some of the Café’s patrons love the burgers—they’re a third of a pound stacked with various toppings and served on a brioche roll. “Our burgers are pretty popular,” says Panyko. The Cowboy burger in particular is a standout: Think bacon, caramelized onion, blue cheese dressing and horseradish mayo.

If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to miss that Café the Lodge is just a bit atypical—and that’s likely because our region is home to several funky food businesses with lots of local art on the walls and friendly staff members. But it’s rewarding to look more closely at your surroundings and ask questions, no matter who you are, or where you are.

“When we explain this place to people, they say, ‘Wait, you do what here?’” says McCabe. It’s community integration at its finest, since 2011.

Café the Lodge

427 E. 4th St., Bethlehem | 610.849.2100 | thelodge-rhd.org | cafethelodge.org

*Please check their website and/or social media for current operating hours and procedures.

Reservations: Not necessary

Parking: Metered, on the street

What to order: The Café serves breakfast, lunch, coffee, espresso-based drinks and tea. For breakfast, the Veggie Scramble is popular—it’s scrambled eggs topped with seasoned and grilled vegetables (peppers, mushrooms, onions, etc.). The Cuban sandwich is a winner, along with the Tomato Mozzarella Melt. There’s a soup every day—and the minestrone, which is vegetarian, is always available. The Harvest Salad will satisfy your need for lots of veggies.

Good to know: Café the Lodge does catering! Their cupcakes are vegan and are from Cakes by Chris.