What Seesaw Communities does

Seesaw Communities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2021 in West Covina, California, that delivers vocational training, employment support, and independent living skills programs to young adults with developmental disabilities across Southern California. The organization operates two principal program lines: the VariSTAR Program, which provides hands-on vocational training in barista work, baking, and graphic design (Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator), and the Independent Living Skills (ILS) program, which covers personal finance management, social skills and communication, employment readiness, self-advocacy, technology use (including AI tools such as ChatGPT), and health management. Vocational training is delivered partly through the organization's own social-enterprise operations — Seesaw Beans and Coffee retail cafés in Buena Park and at the San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center, plus the Walnut Coffee Training Center — and partly through a mobile Espresso Cart service that operated 57 events in 2023 across corporate functions, golf tournaments, and community gatherings.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: tax-deductible charitable donations (Tax ID 86-2949669) as the primary funding stream, program tuition (e.g., $1,500 per 10-week Baking cohort), and retail food and beverage sales from the cafés. Distribution is community-led: participants are sourced primarily through referrals and coordination with California regional centers (San Gabriel Pomona and Orange County), supplemented by educational seminars, community events such as the SWING FORE HOPE golf tournament and Korean Heritage Night, and word-of-mouth within the Korean-American disability-services community. The organization is governed by a board composed of executives from Hanmi Bank, Kaizen Dining Group, LinkONE, adCREASIANs, and Tower Escrow, with founder Sam Yoon leading operations alongside an instructional staff spanning barista, baking, graphic design, computer/AI, supported employment, and piano instruction.

Name

Seesaw Communities

Legal name

Seesaw Communities

Website

https://thesc.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Seesaw Communities is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2021, providing vocational training (barista, baking, graphic design) and independent living skills programs for young adults with developmental disabilities, operated through its own retail cafés, training centers, and community-based regional-center referrals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Vocational Support Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Food Service Contractors (722310)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coffee Shops, Cafés & Beverage Programs (EDALADAG)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Vocational training programs
• Supported employment services
• Independent living skills
• Nonprofit community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Buena Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Seesaw Communities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from compassionate donors. The organization states that 100% of gifts are tax-deductible (Tax ID: 86-2949669). Donors can contribute via online donation forms, credit card, or mail-in donations to Hanmi Bank.
2. Social Enterprise - Seesaw Beans and Coffee: Seesaw Communities operates retail coffee shops (Seesaw Beans and Coffee) in Buena Park and at San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center. These cafes provide job training opportunities and generate revenue through coffee and food sales.
3. Program Tuition: The organization charges tuition for certain programs. For example, the Baking Class costs $50 per hour, totaling $1,500 for the 10-week course.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Seesaw Communities provides vocational training and independent living skills programs for young adults with developmental disabilities, including barista training, baking, and graphic design instruction. It also operates retail coffee cafés (Seesaw Beans and Coffee) and a mobile Espresso Cart program that together deliver real-world job experience and hire program graduates. Programs are delivered at training facilities in Buena Park and Walnut, California.

Product overview

Seesaw Communities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing vocational training, employment opportunities, and community support for young adults with developmental disabilities. The organization operates two main program divisions: the VariSTAR Program for vocational training (offering Barista Training, Baking, and Graphic Design) and Independent Living Skills (ILS) for life skills development (covering Personal Finance Management, Social Skills and Communication, Employment Readiness, Self-Advocacy, Technology Use, and Health Management). The portfolio also includes operational businesses (Seesaw Beans and Coffee cafés), mobile Espresso Cart services, and AI-focused computer classes. Programs are delivered through classroom instruction, hands-on training at café locations, and community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VariSTAR Program (Barista Training) Vocational training program helping individuals with developmental disabilities develop coffee preparation, espresso drink crafting, and customer service skills through hands-on café operations, inventory management, and environment upkeep.
• Baking Program Vocational training program teaching participants to prepare pastries, bread, and desserts, with hands-on practice in kitchen safety, ingredient measurement, and production time management.
• Graphic Design Program Vocational training program introducing participants to graphic design using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, with hands-on projects in logos, posters, and merchandise.
• Personal Finance Management Independent Living Skills program covering budgeting, managing bank accounts, paying bills, and responsible spending to help participants achieve financial independence.
• Social Skills and Communication Independent Living Skills program focused on building relationships, workplace behavior, and self-advocacy to help participants interact effectively.
• Employment Readiness Independent Living Skills program developing time management, job application preparation, and professional workplace etiquette.
• Self-Advocacy Independent Living Skills program teaching participants to communicate and assert their needs, rights, and desires, including requesting reasonable accommodations.
• Technology Use Independent Living Skills program covering practical use of technology and AI tools such as ChatGPT for email, messaging, online banking, online safety, and software proficiency.
• Health Management Independent Living Skills program providing personalized health management support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including stress management techniques.
• Seesaw Beans and Coffee Cafés Retail café locations in Buena Park and at San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center providing real-world job training and employment for program graduates, serving coffee and baked goods.
• Espresso Cart Program Mobile espresso cart service delivering coffee at corporate functions, golf tournaments, and community events, providing job experience and community awareness.
• ILS – AI Class Computer and AI instruction class for adults with developmental disabilities focused on building independent living skills through practical computer use and AI tools.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Department of RehabilitationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2025Joint seminar with the Department of Rehabilitation explaining employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• KAICA (Korean American Issues Council Assembly)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025KITA Inaugural Ceremony attendance representing Korean-American community interests.
• KASEC (Korean American Senior Estates Confederation)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025KASEC Golf Tournament partnership for community engagement and fundraising.
• KOWIN LA (Korean American Women Outlook)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025KOWIN LA Golf Tournament partnership for community engagement.
• Angels Baseball StadiumminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Vendor booth at Korean Heritage Night event to raise community awareness.
• Pasadena HumaneminorOthers · 1 January 2025Partnered for wildfire relief campaign where donations to Pasadena Humane earned free drinks at Seesaw Beans & Coffee.
• California Fire FoundationminorOthers · 1 January 2025Partnered for wildfire relief campaign where donations to California Fire Foundation earned free drinks at Seesaw Beans & Coffee.
• American Red CrossminorOthers · 1 January 2025Partnered for wildfire relief campaign where donations to American Red Cross earned free drinks at Seesaw Beans & Coffee.
• CalABLEmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CalABLE Deputy Executive Director Anne Osborne presented on tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities at Seesaw Communities seminar.
• TACA (Talk About Curing Autism)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration for awareness events including one with TACA and Buena Park Police Department in November 2024.
• Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Orange CountyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Venue partner for Seesaw Communities seminars on employment services.
• Industry Hills Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Venue for the 3rd Annual Inclusive Golf Tournament supporting Seesaw Communities and Spectrum of Hope Foundation.
• Walnut Blessing ChurchminorOthers · 1 January 2024Venue partner for Seesaw Communities seminars (e.g., January 23rd seminar location).
• Regional Center of Orange CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for employment support services seminars and coordination of programs for individuals with developmental disabilities in Orange County.
• San Gabriel Pomona Regional CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Regional center partnership providing training and employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. A former Seesaw trainee and their parents opened an on-site café at the regional center, marking transition to independent business ownership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc: National organization providing advocacy and direct services (including employment and independent living) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates through local chapters with regional center-like service delivery, directly comparable to Seesaw's regional center partnership model.
• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit that connects people with disabilities to meaningful employment opportunities, primarily through federal AbilityOne contracts and AbilityWorks programs. Comparable mission around employment outcomes for people with significant disabilities, though focused on federal contract-supported work rather than community retail.
• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit focused on employment, leadership development, and social inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates supported employment programs similar to Seesaw's mission, with a national footprint and corporate partner network (e.g., partnerships with major employers for job placement).
• Easterseals: One of the largest US nonprofits serving people with disabilities, offering vocational training, employment services, and independent living programs nationwide. Comparable mission and service categories to Seesaw's VariSTAR and ILS programs, but operates as a federated national organization with far broader scope and resources.

Regional players

• Unicorn Children's Foundation / Unicorn Village Academy: Nonprofit providing vocational and life skills programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, including transition and supported employment services. Comparable scope of vocational and life skills programming, though operating in Florida rather than California.
• AHRC New York City: Large NYC-based nonprofit providing vocational rehabilitation, employment, and independent living services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable service mix and outcome orientation, but focused on the New York region rather than Southern California.

Direct peers

• Bitty & Beau's Coffee: National coffee shop chain that primarily employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Highly comparable to Seesaw's Seesaw Beans and Coffee social enterprise model — same mission (IDD employment through café operations) and similar hybrid training/retail approach, though at significantly larger scale.
• EmployAbility: Nonprofit providing employment preparation, placement, and support services for adults with developmental disabilities, with a focus on community-based employment. Comparable supported employment and vocational training model to Seesaw's programs.
• Opportunity Village: Nevada-based nonprofit providing vocational training, employment placement, and social enterprises (including a thrift store and food service businesses) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable hybrid model combining vocational rehabilitation with operating businesses.
• Melwood: Nonprofit providing job training, employment, and recreational services for people with disabilities, including operating its own social enterprise businesses (landscaping, retail, food service). Highly comparable as both a vocational rehabilitation provider and social enterprise operator, though larger and based in the Mid-Atlantic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seesaw-communities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Seesaw Communities