A NEW cafe will serve up employment opportunities for people living with a disability.
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A $66,000 grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has been made to Cafe Connect, which was developed as a part of Orange’s CareWest Community Connection Centre (4C).
CareWest CEO Tim Curran said the purpose of the cafe was to give people living with a disability supported employment opportunities.
“We’re really proud of the fact that 4C development has returned the much-loved former Orange Base Hospital site to its former pride,” Mr Curran said.
“It provides the community with an inclusive space full of activities and services, central to which is our new Cafe Connect.”
In addition to this, the cafe will potentially provide an independent source of income to cover its operating cost in order to make it a sustainable social enterprise and be self-sufficient.
CareWest community engagement manager Lesa Dunn said the site offered strong training and employment opportunities.
“This real on-the-job training will prepare people for the career of their choice,” Ms Dunn said.
“We’ll do our training, become accredited, go to businesses to do work experience in a supported environment,”
“The beauty of this building is it’s got a lot of opportunities including all ranges of hospitality from catering, to barista service and table service.”
The site will feature a commercial grade kitchen which is accessible for people living with a disability.
There will also be opportunities for childcare with a preschool, horticulture with a community garden and chick coop, administration experience with a reception area and regular disco nights with a theatre and gym.
Supported employee Rhys Matthew Lord said he looked forward to his employment at Cafe Connect..
“I’m looking forward to it, I can’t wait to make coffees and eat plenty of food at the trial day,” Mr Matthew Lord said.
“I wouldn’t mind giving management a go one day – it’s all about getting the training and giving something a go.”
The cafe is an overhaul of Apex House and Anson Cottage at the former Orange Base Hospital.