KawiARKA at the Club Room on Radzymińska 28
Located at Radzymińska 28 in the Club Room, KawiARKA is a community café run by the L’Arche Warsaw Foundation. It serves as a workplace for people with intellectual disabilities and, at the same time, a café open to residents of the neighborhood, nearby residents, and anyone who feels like stopping by for a good cup of coffee and something sweet. People from all over Warsaw (and various parts of Poland) come to visit us.
Club Room Opens in Praga
The Club Room was created as a shared space for residents of Van der Vorm Living, designed for everyday life and coworking. Classes and workshops are held here, but we also wanted it to be a place where socially significant projects could take place.
The collaboration with the L’Arche Warsaw Foundation has allowed the space to take on an additional role. KawiARKA also welcomes neighbors and people from outside the community. As a result, the space at 28 Radzymińska Street has become more open to the neighborhood and the everyday life of Warsaw’s Praga district.
KawiARKA: A Coffee Shop with a Unique Concept
KawiARKA is a project of the L’Arche Warsaw Foundation aimed at promoting the employment of people with intellectual disabilities.
People with disabilities work here in the café and learn the practical aspects of the trade. They learn the duties of a barista and a server, prepare orders, serve guests, learn how to organize their work, and gain experience that enhances their professional independence.
Coaches from the L’Arche Foundation assist them with their daily responsibilities. They support them as they work, help them learn new tasks, and, when necessary, offer guidance on how to handle specific situations.
It is the practical aspect of this collaboration that is most important. KawiARKA creates a real workplace where people can acquire the skills needed in their professional lives and develop them through direct interaction with guests.
People are the most important
The L’Arche Warsaw Foundation has been supporting people with intellectual disabilities for years by creating communities and developing support services provided by personal assistants.
KawiARKA brings some of these activities into a professional setting. Over coffee, the hosts, residents of La Praga, neighbors, and first-time visitors all come together. It is precisely this daily interaction with people that is one of the most important elements of this project.
Where did the name KawiARKA come from?
The name refers directly to the L’Arche Foundation. The French word “arche” means “ark.” The combination of “ARK” and “coffee” gave rise to KawiARCE.
For the people who run the café, it’s a place to work, gain experience, and interact with guests. For visitors, it’s simply a great café right in the neighborhood.
Working with the Soul
At Van der Vorm Living, we want to ensure that shared spaces are truly utilized and welcoming to people.
KawiARKA is a good example of this kind of collaboration. Club Room remains a meeting place, while also supporting a project that gives people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to work, grow, and gain experience.
Cake is just as important as coffee
KawiARKA’s community spirit is at its heart, but we’re still talking about a café. The coffee, cakes, and pastries speak for themselves—guests love KawiARKA’s flavors. Plus, the brownie and Basque cheesecake are simply amazing—they’re a must-try.
So you can stop by out of curiosity, stay for a cup of coffee, and then come back for some cheesecake (supposedly the best in Warsaw).
Stop by KawiARKA!
Club Room
28 Radzymińska Street, Warsaw
KawiARKA is open Friday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.