Spill the Tea Café Expands Its Mental Health Services in a New, Larger Location
The nonprofit helps teens with their mental health by providing therapy as well as workshops and a safe space for them to hang out.
Tucked in Kaka‘ako is a haven for youths, a place to go when they’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, isolated and in need of connection. Recently relocated to a new, larger Kaka‘ako space, Spill the Tea Café first opened in March 2022 to address the needs of young people struggling with their mental health, co-founder and outreach coordinator Kiki Rosario says. “They were going through all of these challenges, but there wasn’t enough help in the state, so we opened a clinic to destigmatize mental health and make it accessible,” she says. The nonprofit grew rapidly, serving more than 700 youths and their families since its launch with individual, group and family therapy.
The new facility has allowed Spill the Tea Café to also offer life skills workshops on such topics as résumé building and cooking. “We have space where kids can hang out, drink free boba at the bar, do art, play games, do their homework in a tech zone,” Rosario says. “We also have a calming corner, and therapy sessions happen in soundproof pods.”
With therapists and teen mentors on site, youths and young adults ages 10 to 19 can just walk in, including those who identify as LGBTQIA. “When we talk about inclusivity, that means that this space is for all youth. It’s safe for all of them,” Rosario says.
1025 Waimanu St., Suite 103, Kaka‘ako, spilltheteacafe.org, @spill_theteacafe
Diane Seo is the editorial director of HONOLULU Magazine.
