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“Cheesecake with a purpose” is how Tasha Hill describes the Cheesecakery located just inside the front of Downtown Avenues.

Yes, the cheesecake looks, smells and tastes delicious. But Hill, the Miriam House Director, wants you to know something else about the Cheesecakery.

The Cheesecakery is one of two businesses Miriam House owns that supports their faith-based residential discipleship program for women. The other business is a residential cleaning service.

Christy Amacher, the previous owner of the Cheesecakery, donated the business to Miriam House.

According to Hill, “while many women enter Miriam House for drug or dependency related issues, the home is for women dealing with various life controlling issues that are preventing them from living out their destiny. While living at Miriam House, the women participate in community service projects, parenting classes and work projects.”

The Cheesecakery and the cleaning business serve two purposes according to Hill. First, the work helps women develop a work ethic to better enter the workplace after their recovery. Second, the businesses help support the work of Miriam House in addition to private donors and corporate sponsors. 100% of the proceeds of the two businesses go to support Miriam House.

Miriam House, located in Normandy, can support 16 women. The home currently supports eight women. In addition to the two businesses, the women take classwork each day at the home.

The cheesecake is made from scratch each day in the Downtown Avenues upstairs kitchen by women enrolled in the program.

Strawberry Swirl, Turtle and plain cheesecake are on the menu daily. Two other rotating flavors are added each week. In addition to cheesecake, chicken salad and Buffalo chicken dip are regular lunch options. Baked goods like cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, s’mores bars and sourdough bread are also available.

Hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10am to 3 p.m.