In Douglas County, suicide is the leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24. Colorado ranks 41st in the nation for youth mental health support access. Behind these statistics are real teens who often feel alone, unsure where to turn.
In March, Lone Tree became home to an exciting partnership between the Business Foundry and The Happy Crew, a nonprofit dedicated to teen mental health and suicide prevention. As part of this collaboration, The Happy Crew celebrated the grand opening of a membership-only café, The Happy Crew Coffee house, on the rooftop of Business Foundry. The Happy Crew Coffee House aims at helping teens find themselves, find their voice, and know they matter through a safe and welcoming space for Douglas County teens while generating sustainable funding to support mental health initiatives.
So how does it work? The Happy Crew Coffee House offers individuals, corporate partners or students a selected monthly membership. Your membership loads as a monthly credit for coffee, food, and drinks which you can spend at the shop throughout the month. Members can enjoy premium coffee and workspace while knowing every purchase directly supports Happy Crew’s youth mental health initiatives. Bring clients, meet friends, or find your quiet corner—this is your space to thrive while creating change for the Lone Tree community and beyond.
The Happy Crew’s mission, founded in 2007 by Amy May, is to destigmatize mental health, foster community, and ensure no teen feels alone. May has worked alongside teens for over 30 years, helping them navigate life’s challenges. As a youth director and counselor, she learned something crucial: teens need more than programs. They need places where they feel they truly belong, where getting support doesn’t feel like a big deal. Through this partnership, 100% of café membership proceeds will be reinvested into developing new mental health and suicide prevention programs in collaboration with Business Foundry, further expanding support for local youth.
In the 2024-2025 school year, Happy Crew will host a total of 23 weekly meetings that bring together an average of 75 students each time. Already, 183 different teens have found community through Happy Crew this year alone—and they are on track to connect with over 200 students before summer.
This partnership is about more than just a café—it’s about creating a place where teens feel valued, heard, and supported. Community members, local businesses, and residents are encouraged to get involved and support this initiative. Find them at 9044 Forsstrom Drive, Lone Tree and online at http://happycrewcoffeehouse.com/. For more information, reach out to Amy May, Founder and President of The Happy Crew at amy@thehappycrew.org.