Mission Australia’s Café One: Townsville youth learn life skills, one coffee at a time
A mobile coffee van is teaching Townsville youth not only how to pour the perfect cappuccino, but also valuable skills for life.
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A mobile coffee van is teaching Townsville youth not only how to pour the perfect cappuccino, but also valuable skills for life.
The Cafe One coffee van, run by Mission Australia, popped up next to the Townsville sign in the city on Friday and attracted crowds keen for their morning caffiene hit.
Mission Australia launched the new social enterprise as a way to empower young people aged 16 to 24 who are facing homelessness, social isolation or struggling with employment.
Café One Townsville is Mission Australia’s third mobile coffee van venture after the flagship in Cairns and another in Darwin.
Coordinator Vicky Saylor said she hoped for a bright future for Café One Townsville, with the goal of expanding.
“Hopefully one day we will make it into a restaurant, but for now it’s being utilised as an opportunity for young people who found themselves homeless or disengaged,” she said.
The program is connected to the Youth Foyer in Pimlico, where residents are required to “earn or learn” to be able to stay there.
Café One offers a pathway for those interested in the hospitality industry with participants undertaking a Certificate I and barista training.
“This is a step up for them, they are paid by Mission Australia and they have really risen to the occasion,” Ms Saylor said.
“It’s just an awesome testament to three young people who have really taken it by both hands and run with it.
“The first thing is they have to be confident and get out of their comfort zone. They have to ask for orders, from little things to big things. These three were very shy, but now they are real professionals.”
Ms Saylor said the collaborative effort of various organisations for the reason for the success of Café One.
“It’s a credit to everyone, it’s the Youth Foyer, Mission Australia with the wrap-around services and all of the other services they engage with,” she said.
Café One aims to be a mobile hub, moving to different locations and partnering with community organisations.
“We will be moving around different spots and we would love to collaborate with other community organisations,” Ms Saylor said.
Every purchase supports the program’s sustainability, by going back to the van.
Funded by the Department of Employment, Training and Skills (DEET), Café One is also seeking support from the corporate sector.
“We are appealing to all the corporations, if they want to elevate their conference or event they are having,” Ms Saylor said.
“Cafe One is a place to connect and bring community together, that is the goal.”
For more information visit the Mission Australia website.
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Originally published as Mission Australia’s Café One: Townsville youth learn life skills, one coffee at a time
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