VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A local restaurant is stepping up to help make a positive impact on mental health in our community, as Quemar, a Latin American and Mexican restaurant along Laskin Road in Virginia Beach, recently teamed up with the nonprofit NAMI Coastal, which advocates for better lives for those living with mental illness.

Jeff Ullom, Quemar’s executive chef, acknowledges the service industry can be a hotbed for a lot of things negatively impacting a worker’s mental health, but said Quemar is different.

“There’s a lot of burnout, long hours, stressful shifts, and the culture at Quemar is built around trying to kind of change that,” Ullom said. “My kitchen is much more Ted Lasso than Gordon Ramsey. So, I think that the partnership is kind of shining on the change in culture we’re hoping to bring to the restaurant industry.”

Quemar is giving a portion of its overall sales to NAMI Coastal Tuesday through Thursday. NAMI’s board president, Susannah Uroskie, said all money the organization receives goes directly into the community.

“We’re the ones who are delivering those free resources, the classes and the support groups,” Uroskie said. “So just knowing that the money raised is directly supporting those in need in Virginia Beach, in Norfolk, Chesapeake, it’s a feel good donation.”

All you have to do to participate is go to Quemar and grab a drink, an appetizer or a meal and enjoy.