Social café KawiARKA gets plenty of attention on Taniec z Gwiazdami (the Polish version of “Dancing with the Stars”)
What do dance and KawiARKA have in common? According to Paulina Gałązka (actress) and Michał Bartkiewicz (dancer), the answer is clear: empathy.
We are proud to share these images from their visit to KawiARKA in La Praga (Warsaw). The report really brings home what this initiative is all about: a place where people with intellectual disabilities not only gain work experience, but also feel seen, valued, and connected.
As Margarethe van der Vorm put it earlier during the opening: “Investing isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people. KawiARKA shows what that looks like in practice.”
In the report itself, the staff members describe what this place means to them: a safe environment, “like a family,” right in the heart of the community. A place where they feel valued.
Barista Michał says, “I love this place because I can make a difference here. I feel safe and comfortable here. It feels like family.” And Marcin adds, “There are few places where we can connect with others like this. Here, we meet people and feel like we’re truly needed.”
Their energy and dedication are contagious and really touch the visitors. Michał Bartkiewicz is also impressed: “If everyone in the world had as much positive energy as they do, there would be no more evil.”
Our clubroom is becoming a vibrant gathering place in the neighborhood. From coffee to yoga, and from daily connections to special moments like this one. We are incredibly proud of KawiARKA, its staff, the positive impact it has on the neighborhood, and the national attention it’s receiving.
