Fold'd Community Diner: Serving Hope and Second Chances in Somersworth, NH
Fold'd Community Diner in Somersworth, NH, established by the SOS Recovery Community Organization, stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Born from the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative in October of 2023, Fold'd embodies a simple yet powerful vision: to create jobs for people in recovery or transitioning from incarceration while also establishing a sustainable business model that supports the community.
After implementing and expanding the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative so successfully, SOS Recovery Community Organization sought to try something a little different. With an initial grant from Granite United Way through the American Rescue Plan Act Act, Fold’d got its start. Since its beginning, Fold’d has been able to sustain itself using profits from patronage.
“There was a vision of not being so dependent on state and federal grants. Sustainability is difficult in New Hampshire given funding formulas as a nonprofit,” says John Burns, Executive Director of SOS Recovery Community Organization.
Additionally, Fold’d received generous financial and operational support from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and Kennebunk Savings Bank. Their contributions have been instrumental in enabling Fold'd to thrive and fulfill its mission.
Fold’d is more than just a diner. Patrons are invited into a warm, inclusive space where hearty breakfasts and delicious lunches are served alongside compassion and understanding. Beyond its tasty menu items, Fold’d offers an environment where second chances are embraced.
The core mission of Fold'd is to provide support and employment opportunities for individuals in recovery or those facing barriers to employment due to past incarceration or substance use. Through nurturing a supportive workplace environment, Fold'd aims to facilitate personal growth and empowerment among their employees.
“We aim to help the people in recovery and marginalized people who have experienced enormous barriers when trying to enter the workforce. It’s one of many barriers we can remove to help them in their progress toward more opportunity,” says Burns.
Fold'd's strength lies in its ability to challenge societal stigmas surrounding recovery and incarceration. In a world often characterized by judgment and misunderstanding, Fold'd serves as a testament to acceptance and redemption. Without Fold'd, the community would lack a crucial source of support and positivity.
“There’s not a lot of examples in the community where people are expressing the value of recovery. Having something that’s really positive and tangible and functioning, especially one that is self- sustaining is quite powerful,” says Burns.
Aligned with the principles and mission of the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative, Fold'd provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals in recovery, whether as employees or patrons. By offering meaningful opportunities for employment and personal growth, Fold'd actively contributes to reducing stigma and promoting individual wellness. Recovery Friendly Workplace had a hand in connecting Fold’d with potential employees, building the workforce, and providing additional support.
“Recovery Friendly Workplace’s mission aims to provide safe workspaces for people in recovery and provide support to employees and employers before things become problematic which fits within our culture at Fold’d,” Burns says.
Already, Fold'd has witnessed remarkable moments of transformation. The open, compassionate, and safe environment yields strong connections among the staff and community gatherings have sparked important conversations. In a world often marked by judgment, Fold'd remains a haven of inclusivity and possibility.
“We get a lot of support when we talk about why we’re there and how it all started. We also get a lot of people who are just coming out to breakfast or lunch and don’t know our story, so it gives us a lot of opportunity to have conversation that we wouldn’t have otherwise,” Burns explains.
As Fold'd continues its journey, it remains dedicated to its commitment to providing hope, support, and delicious food to the New Hampshire community. In Fold'd, everyone is welcome, and every story is valued—a testament to the enduring power of compassion and second chances.