Help Open an Accessible Café for Everyone
We’re brewing something special in downtown Santa Barbara—a nonprofit café designed with and for the disability community.
Our founder, Rebecca Benozare, has worked in Santa Barbara philanthropy for more than a decade. Partnering with local organizations serving the disability community, she saw both the extraordinary talent within the community and the shortage of everyday spaces designed for full participation.
That’s why State of Mind was born. We won’t just be a fully accessible cafe—we’ll be a space where inclusive design, great coffee and a welcoming atmosphere create real belonging and community connection.
Why your gift matters today
We’ve already made a lot of progress:
- Property secured at 918 State Street
- Architect and contractor engaged
- Community partnerships established
- Experienced team on board
- Strong philanthropic support
To stay on track for a December 2026 opening, we are raising $100,000 for accessibility renovations, construction needs, and essential café equipment.
Please donate today to help bring State of Mind Café to opening day. Every gift moves us closer to creating a more accessible and connected Santa Barbara.
Not able to give today? You can still help by sharing this campaign, following our progress, or joining us at an upcoming community event.
How State of Mind Will Make a Difference
1) Accessible design
Accessibility is our core design principle. Local architect Tom Ochsner worked with our steering committee of individuals with diverse disabilities to create a plan for the space that includes acoustic ceilings, braille menus, intentional lighting, a fully accessible bathroom, specially designed furniture, and an easy-to-navigate floor. Assistive technology and trained volunteers will help guests navigate the space.
2) Meaningful employment
We will prioritize hiring people with disabilities, providing access to income, greater independence and a sense of belonging while serving as a model of a workplace designed for inclusion.
3) Community arts and events
State of Mind will stay open in the evenings, and the space will be available for free to local organizations to host events like art shows, performances, lectures and more. We’re especially excited to host events that promote disability education, equity and inclusion. The café will also exhibit work by local artists with disabilities.
4) Supporting local partners
As a nonprofit social enterprise, State of Mind is designed to sustain its own operations while donating surplus revenue to organizations advancing inclusion across the Central Coast. We expect to raise upwards of $15,000 each month for partner organizations like the Grace Fisher Foundation, the Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara and Autism Embrace, and we also support a network of existing philanthropic initiatives like the Léni Fé Bland Performing Arts Partnership, the Sara Fund, and Literacy Moves.
Our coffee beans will be sourced from Welcome Coffee, a local woman- and LGBTQ-owned roasting company founded by June Habib.
Here’s what Skylar Covich, a Santa Barbara local and member of our steering committee, had to say:
“I am especially excited about our commitment to employment of people with disabilities, and to have a dedicated space for events that will bring the disability community together along with others who share our interest.
As for the coffee shop, as a blind person […] it will be exciting to have a place downtown where me and other people with disabilities can be sure that we will have great service from our first visit. I think many of us will become regulars.”
Phone number: (805)-338-7274
Mailing Address: 3905 State Street Suite 7-422
Santa Barbara, California. 93105.