This weekend, KawiARKA officially opened its doors in La Praga!
After 18 months, the moment has finally arrived. KawiARKA has officially opened. It is a unique social café that we established in partnership with the L’Arche Warsaw Foundation and Van der Vorm Living. At KawiARKA, people with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to gain work experience, further their personal development, and actively participate in the workforce within an inclusive environment.
Last weekend, Margarethe van der Vorm cut the ribbon at KawiARKA. Margarethe explains: “From the very beginning, we’ve always believed that investing isn’t just about buildings. It’s about people. It’s about creating places where communities can grow and thrive. That philosophy has been the foundation of how we work for years. This applies internationally as well, and certainly in Poland, where we’ve been active for quite some time now. With Van der Vorm Living, we don’t just build structures; we build places where people feel connected. KawiARKA is a wonderful example of that.”
The enthusiasm was palpable. And rightly so. This place clearly adds something to the neighborhood: vibrancy, meaning, and connection. It’s wonderful to see everyone so happy, engaged, and enthusiastic. It’s heartwarming.
What makes KawiARKA so special is the energy in the workplace. The enthusiasm and pride of the employees are contagious. The employees truly feel seen and appreciated here.
This initiative has attracted a lot of attention. Last weekend, Polish television covered the opening, and leading Polish jazz musicians—Monika Borzym and Krzysztof Dys—performed. Next week, an episode of *Dancing with the Stars* will be filmed in the clubroom.
About our clubroom
The clubroom is located on the ground floor of the La Praga apartment building (Warsaw). Our local community manager from Van der Vorm Living organizes all kinds of activities here, from yoga classes to art and Polish language lessons. Residents of our other complexes, Szwedska and Solidarności, are also very welcome here.
Starting now, Café KawiARKA is open three days a week, which means the space is being used even more intensively. This is how we show how a clubroom can truly foster connection—both inside and outside the front door.
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible, especially the L’Arche Warsaw Foundation and all the colleagues and partners involved.
We look forward to everything that will come of this.
