Windfree Solar Cafe Selling T-Shirts to Support the National Immigrant Justice Center

Windfree Solar Cafe, a new mission-driven cafe located on the Main Dempster Mile, is raising funds to support the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). The cafe is selling yellow Windfree Solar t-shirts for $10. All proceeds will go toward supporting the NIJC’s mission to defend the rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

The t-shirts are yellow to show solidarity with the No Kings and anti-ICE activity movements. No Kings and anti-ICE protestors wear the color yellow as a symbol of visibility, unity, and nonviolent democratic resistance.

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“This is a very personal issue for us,” said Windfree Solar CEO Eric Heineman. “Last year, the husband of our Director of Services, Cynthia Myers, was illegally detained by ICE. We were so saddened and disheartened that we helped to cover the legal fees to advocate for his release.”

After being detained for three weeks, Cynthia’s husband, Cheikh Fall, was finally released on June 27, 2025.

“Windfree Solar stood beside me during one of the most uncertain and difficult times of my life. When my husband was detained, I felt overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of what the future would hold for our family,” said Windfree Director of Services Cynthia Myers. “Windfree didn’t just offer support; they took action. Their guidance, compassion, and commitment to justice helped make it possible for my husband to come home. While our immigration journey is far from over, Windfree has been a source of hope and strength every step of the way. I will forever be grateful to a company and team that chooses to stand against injustice and oppression and that believes every person deserves dignity, fairness, and the opportunity to be heard.”

NIJC’s mission is to establish and defend the legal rights of immigrants regardless of background and transform the immigration system to one that affords equal opportunity for all. NIJC provides legal services to 10,000 people each year and offers a unique combination of direct services, policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. With the landmark consent decree in NIJC’s Castañon Nava lawsuit, which restricted ICE’s ability to arrest people without warrants or probable cause, NIJC secured the release of more than 300 people who ICE illegally detained.

"Access to justice is critical to defend our neighbors against due process and the horrific human rights violations that are rampant in ICE detention camps. NIJC strives to ensure that as many people as possible have access to information and legal counsel to defend their rights. We are grateful for community members who continue to stand together and stand up for our immigrant neighbors," said Carrie Schwarz, NIJC Associate Director of Philanthropy.

“We opened the Windfree Solar Cafe to be a force for good in the Evanston community,” said Eric’s wife, Kathryn Heineman, who manages the cafe. “In addition to promoting sustainability, we work to support other pressing causes affecting the local community and the nation at large. Right now, immigrant rights are at the top of that list.”

The Windfree Solar Cafe, which officially opened in March 2026, is the first solar cafe in the country. Customers can learn about solar while enjoying delicious local food and coffee. If customers are interested in going solar, they can provide their contact information to the barista who will then put them in touch with a Windfree Solar sales representative.

This summer, the cafe will begin serving beer and wine and extend its hours. The cafe is currently open Wednesday - Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and from 9 am to 2 pm on Sundays.

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