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Happy Place Cooking Space Inc
Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors, Sally Wagner and Lauren O’Brien
*501(c)(3) designation pending. Currently operating under the fiscal sponsorship of The Difference Principle, a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 46-2088738). This sponsorship allows Happy Place Cooking Space to receive tax-deductible donations during the 501(c)(3) waiting period.
Happy Place Cooking Space is a nonprofit, accessible teaching kitchen designed for all ages and abilities. Our mission is to foster happiness by sharing the joys of cooking and eating together, teach skills that build independence and inspire creativity, and create an environment of belonging where everyone is included, and where everyone can have a positive experience in the kitchen.
In 2022, Lauren O’Brien and Sally Wagner began teaching cooking classes for kids, as the small business More Happy Kitchens, LLC. Lauren’s background in public health and marketing, coupled with Sally’s experience as a special education teacher, was a recipe for success! Programming quickly expanded to include cooking classes for both kids and adults with special needs in kitchens across the Milwaukee region. Recognizing the need for a dedicated, accessible teaching space for diverse abilities, the idea for Happy Place Cooking Space was born…because everyone deserves the opportunity to learn to cook. Happy Place Cooking Space currently offers a range of cooking classes and programs that serve children (ages 2-12), as well as adults with special needs through partnerships with other local nonprofit organizations. We have also hosted community events, Girl Scout troop classes, school-based classes and meal-prep classes for adults. We aim to expand our class offerings to include more adult classes, cooking for college classes, and classes for seniors when the new teaching kitchen is open. Happy Place is currently operating out of partner kitchens. Coming late Spring/early Summer 2025, the organization will open a new teaching kitchen located in Cedarburg, near the south end of town. Lease negotiations are in progress at the moment and aim to be wrapped up by March 1st. The new building space is ADA compliant with two accessible, ramped entrances and has ample parking.
We’re eager to build out our new teaching kitchen and look forward to serving kids, adults and families in Ozaukee County and surrounding areas. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share about Happy Place! Pictured from left to right are Sally Wagner with her two kids Emerson (11) and Adelyn (8), and Lauren O'Brien with her two kids Jack (9) and Jovie (7). |
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