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Braking Cycles: How Rhona Mahl Turned Her Past Into Portland’s Most Powerful Cafe
TLDR
Along SE Powell Boulevard, a unique coffee shop stands out—not just for its locally roasted coffee or handmade pastries, but for the lives it helps transform every day. Braking Cycles is a nonprofit cafe created with a clear purpose: to equip Portland’s homeless and at-risk youth with real skills, stable mentorship, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Founded by Rhona Mahl, whose life mirrors the challenges faced by the youth she now serves, Braking Cycles operates with more than just community in mind. It’s a space built to provide hands-on job training, mentorship, and the kind of belief that every young person deserves an opportunity to grow, regardless of their past.
A Mission Fueled by Experience
Rhona Mahl’s story begins in hardship—living in a car, facing trauma, becoming a young mother at 14. That turning point sparked a lasting determination to build something better for herself and, eventually, for others walking a similar path. Her own transformation led her to work directly with vulnerable youth across Portland, and eventually, to establish Braking Cycles under the umbrella of Transitional Youth.
Every element of the cafe reflects this mission. Whether it’s the barista training program or the mentorship model, Braking Cycles provides practical, empowering steps toward a more secure future. It’s not just Rhona’s story—it’s now the story of countless others who’ve walked through the doors and found direction.
Creating Opportunity Through Coffee and Bikes
Braking Cycles also operates a bike shop where youth are trained in maintenance and repair—skills they can carry into future employment. Their mobile coffee bike serves at local events, offering cold brews and Italian sodas while giving apprentices a chance to test their skills in high-energy settings.
Inside the cafe, a floor made of more than 148,000 pennies reminds visitors what the space stands for. Each coin was laid by volunteers, symbolizing people who are often dismissed or overlooked. At Braking Cycles, those individuals are seen, valued, and supported.
The shop also partners with Intent Coffee Roasting to serve a custom house blend, with proceeds directly supporting its youth programs. Every cup sold contributes to mentorship, job training, and personal development.
Final Thoughts
Braking Cycles is a reflection of one woman’s strength and a community’s will to uplift its youth. Through every carefully prepared drink and every refurbished bicycle, this space helps transform pain into purpose and dreams into something tangible. Rhona Mahl’s journey continues to light the path for others, offering not only a second chance, but a place where healing and growth are brewed daily.
Visit brakingcycles.org to learn more or find ways to support their mission.
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All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription