Corio cafe serving meals, job skills to the community

A Corio cafe is preparing students for the workforce while providing affordable meals for the community.

Cloverdale Community Centre’s Lotus Cafe is the practical training ground for participants in the centre’s government-subsidised Learn Local hospitality course.

Students complete six weeks of training, learning kitchen operations and customer service in a real cafe environment.

The cafe is the latest incarnation of the centre’s community food relief service, Lotus Kitchen, which was developed by Issara Saeyim to help Thai women escaping domestic violence and modern slavery.

After launching in 2020, Lotus Kitchen became an essential food service in the region over the next four years.

Now, the original members of the team have moved on and in its place, Lotus Cafe has bloomed.

Saeyim remains involved, helping people facing barriers to work build confidence, practical skills and employability.

“We wanted to train people in a real cafe,” Saeyim said. “We want the learner to learn hands-on experience.

“We do some kind of theory work, but it is all teaching them about how to work safely in the kitchen, around equipment, around customer service and food preparation.”

Seven of the eight participants from last year’s Lotus Cafe pilot secured employment.

Some graduates choose to stay on as volunteers at the cafe.

Saeyim said some learners enter the program with low literacy and numeracy skills but with support they thrive.

“That doesn’t stop them to come to learn. They just need extra support to get there,” Saeyim said.

“I feel very ‘wow’ when you get to witness from the first when people come and they’re growing their confidence and skills and good team environment.

“We have a very good team culture here; we support each other. When see your colleagues and friends struggle, we also help.”

Growing the cafe’s customer base is essential in ensuring that the program can continue financially.

Cloverdale Community Centre wellbeing economy officer Alex Sullivan said the Lotus Cafe has dual functions.

“One element is increasing economic participation through employment training, building confidence and getting experience for their resume, so we’re building that community’s capacity to participate,” Sullivan said.

“Then also the affordable cafe offering creates a space for the community to connect and come together.”

With the second cohort of students to learn at the cafe due to graduate soon, Saeyim is eager to see the cafe continue to grow.

Lotus Cafe is run out of Cloverdale Community Centre and open Thursday and Friday during school terms.

Check the centre’s website for up-to-date opening hours.