A Memory Cafe is a welcoming place for people with memory loss or other changes in their thinking, along with their family, friends, and professional caregiver if they have one.

JF&CS offers the JF&CS Memory Cafe and has been a national leader in the movement to bring Memory Cafés to communities throughout Massachusetts and beyond. 

Please visit www.memorycafedirectory.com at Dementia Friendly America to find Memory Cafes anywhere in the U.S.

What is a Memory Cafe?

Watch a one-minute video about Memory Cafes in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

A Memory Cafe is a welcoming place for people with memory loss or other changes in their thinking, along with their family, friends, and professional caregiver if they have one. Memory Cafes meet at a variety of places including libraries, coffeehouses, museums, or community organizations.

Each Memory Cafe is unique. Some Cafes offer programs such as dance, yoga, singing, games, or local history, and some are just for relaxing and chatting. Cafes are a place to meet others who understand what you are going through, to focus on strengths rather than limitations, to enjoy other’s company, and to explore something new.

JF&CS Leadership in the Memory Cafe Movement

In 2014, JF&CS started the second Memory Cafe in Massachusetts, and a free resource-sharing network called the JF&CS Memory Cafe Percolator. The Percolator’s toolkits and learning community has helped organizations through the U.S. and several other countries to launch their own Memory Cafes. These Memory Cafes offer joyful connection to thousands of people.

Watch a 3-minute video celebrating the Percolator’s 10th anniversary in 2024.

The Percolator has served on the leadership team of the national Memory Cafe Alliance starting in its planning stages in 2023. JF&CS is grateful to the many organizations, individuals, and philanthropic supporters who have partnered with us to make high quality Memory Cafes available in so many communities throughout Massachusetts, the U.S. and beyond.

Please visit www.memorycafedirectory.com at Dementia Friendly America to find Memory Cafes anywhere in the U.S.