Many Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge facilitators generously shared feedback about their experience, some of which is excerpted below:

“Everyone participated in the discussion, and all had good information to share. We came up with concrete ways to work together to get the neighborhood cleaned up.”

Renee Archawski,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Fight Blight

“The coffeehouse challenge was appealing to our group because it presented us with an exciting opportunity to have our mission shared with a larger audience. Most importantly, the challenge placed an emphasis on recognizing the importance of grassroots efforts by community volunteers. The whole environment and samples of coffee and Blackberry Frappucino created a much more casual atmosphere vs. a stuffy board room.”

Kristina Caka,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Youth-Centric Culture for Nazareth

“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Coffeehouse Challenge.  We are energized (and not just from caffeine, either).”

Nancy Chard-Jones,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Pass It On

“The biggest concern was that people would not speak up, but this was not a problem!”

Amy Dougherty,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Supporting Local Libraries

“Conversation and ideas flowed from the beginning even though most people only knew two or three of the participants.”

Shelly Wilks Geehr,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Fighting Hunger in Cherry Hill

“The Coffeehouse Challenge matched our belief that coffee shops in neighborhoods are places to engage feedback from community. They are a neutral environment where people of all incomes feel welcomed and comfortable to share their ideas.”

Kristin Groenveld,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Fishtown Neighborhood Diary

“It was nice to have the informal coffee tasting to break the ice and set the mood. The caffeine also perked people's minds up at the end of a long hot day...”

Peggy Hartzell,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Local Community Mapping Project

“Keeping the meeting informal was important—each attendee is inviting more people to the next meeting.”

Arianne Hegemann,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Reaching Children of Prisoners

“It was wonderful.  We posed our questions and the folks just had a ball brainstorming away.  It was a very relaxed atmosphere—they felt free to share their ideas.  Even though not a lot of people showed up, the ideas we came up with were phenomenal.”

Jonathon Loy,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Arts Education in Philadelphia Schools

“I was looking for a way to make a difference in my local community and had been struggling with how to do that.  The Coffeehouse Challenge gave me the opportunity.”

Tara Marcus,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Supporting Sacred Heart School

“I found it challenging to make time to actually schedule the meeting and send notices to interested candidates due to a very aggressive work schedule. However, everything still worked out, and we are so excited about this project that all those that came to the table to discuss the project are on board to volunteer and get the project started whether we win an award or not.”

Tomika McFadden,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Single Parent Support Network

“I was really pleased to discover the interest and willingness of Starbucks and the community members to support the overall project.”

Rev. Charles. W. Quann, Pastor,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Inter-Faith Housing Alliance

“My biggest worry was that people would not want to talk about the topic but would rather complain about why we don't have trees and a playground. In fact, the people who come to this come because they support the idea. Individuals have taken responsibility for tasks to be complete by the next meeting.”

Michelle Robinson,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Beautifying SouthWest Philadelphia

“We had lots of ideas and suggestions.  The ideas evolved in a nice process of give and take.  Disagreements were expressed politely, and different viewpoints were respected.”

Betsy Teutsch,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: The new low CARBon diet

“Although it seems a daunting experience, it really was a worthwhile challenge that engendered some very interesting conversation and ideas.”

Denise Wiand,
Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge: Dog Park for Phoenixville