When HumBio senior Peyton Klein ‘25 first stepped onto Stanford's campus as a freshman, the landscape of campus life and community looked a little different from what it had been. The world, including life at Stanford, had been reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which thrust issues of mental health and social isolation into the spotlight. Recognizing this, Klein began exploring ways to craft spaces that foster warmth and connection. This vision ultimately led to the creation of On Call Café, a student-run late-night café in Old Union.
Launched in 2023, On Call Café stands as a direct response to the increased need for connection and belonging among students in today’s environment. “We serve drinks and toast, but most importantly, we serve community,” Klein emphasized. Transcending traditional café offerings, Klein and her co-founders aimed to create a space that addresses the mental health crisis, builds community resilience, and fosters joy. “In creating a space where students can relax, connect, and uplift one another, we end up providing so much more than food,” she noted.
Klein’s insights also stem from her academic focus in Human Biology, where she explores what constitutes healthy living through her concentration in healthcare delivery and behavioral design. “In my classes, I think about what it really means to create preventative solutions for mental health and well-being,” she explains. “Students need warm, welcoming spaces on campus that demand presence and offer opportunities for them to get support but also have fun.” Nicknamed Stanford’s living room, this third space offers a cozy refuge for students to use from Mondays through Thursdays, 8 pm to midnight.
The café’s popularity among students speaks volumes; in 2024 alone, the café welcomed more than 9,000 customer visits, sold over 12,000 items, and collaborated with over 50 community groups on campus. Each week, the café hosts events ranging from live music and trivia nights to mixers and opportunities to connect with professors and campus leaders. With lines out the door every night, it is clear that the space meets a real need in the community–a safe and comforting haven where conversations flow as freely as the specialty drinks.
Leading the café has had its share of challenges, but Klein has viewed each one as an opportunity for growth, particularly in her understanding of collaboration, community leadership, and mental health. “My time running the café has offered me a space to experiment with leadership styles and unite people for a common purpose,” she reflected.
Thinking about her studies in Human Biology, Klein noted that she actively takes what she learns in her classes and finds ways to apply it back to her work with On Call, whether that be in her understanding of social isolation, her methods of communication with university administration or students, or general operations. Similarly, her efforts with On Call have not only allowed her to develop as a leader but also enabled her to see mental health and community health efforts play out in real time. “For me, I am all about finding ways to be useful and supportive of others,” she said. “Understanding mental health is important, but understanding joy and community is also a crucial piece of well-being. Everything is interconnected, so I let that knowledge inform everything I do.”
Through Klein’s vision and passion, On Call Café is poised to remain a vital resource for students at Stanford for years to come, and serves as a reminder of the importance of presence, community, and shared happiness in our everyday lives.