‘Striving For Success’, an initiative from Crossenvale House, helps local women get back into the workforce and retrain in the hospitality industry with the help of the house’s coffee van.
Crossenvale’s coordinator Sheridan Clark said the house’s van had been in storage for the past two years, and was now planning to make its debut after COVID.
“We’ve partnered with Let’s Do Coffee, and Daniel (Mackrell, owner of Let’s Do Coffee) has been guiding us very supportively and patiently to get everything in the van,” she said.
“He helped us get our coffee machine and all of our equipment for us to get it going.”
The van is stocked with coffee and a machine, and can currently travel to any powered site. The next step and fundraising goal is purchasing a generator.
“We don’t have a generator yet, so that will be a part of our fundraising goals,” said Ms Clark.
“Our plan is to engage with the women and give them some up-skilling, and teach them how to use the coffee machine, and how to do customer service with people, how to use the cash register — things that might be a barrier for some people who want to get a job.
“It’s also about meeting the demand at the moment: so many businesses are needing people in hospitality, so I’m hoping we’ll also be supporting our hospitality sector with these employment opportunities as well.”
As well as helping to fit out the coffee van, Let’s Do Coffee has partnered with Crossenvale Community House to fundraise with their ‘Pride’ coffee beans.
“I see ‘Pride’ meaning that we pride ourselves in being diverse and inclusive to everyone, but also having pride in yourselves,” Ms Clark said.
“It’s about empowering people to learn some new skills and to do something they’re proud of.”
The coffee beans available for purchase are locally roasted by Let’s Do Coffee Roasters, and sourced from all over the world. The sale of the coffee beans will be a part of the van’s fundraising, and are also available from the Let’s Do Coffee cafe, and online.
“We fully support trying to help the community, and I have connections with Crossenvale from many eons ago being an ex-chair member,” Mr Mackrell said.
“$5 from each bag goes to Crossenvale Community House — we have ongoing support for Crossenvale.”
For more information about the Striving For Success program at Crossenvale House, please contact the team via email at crossenvale@gmail.com or by phone at 0459 049 474. To purchase the Pride beans that support Crossenvale Community House, please visit Crossenvale Community House in Boothman St, Echuca, Let’s Do Coffee in Pakenham St, Echuca, or visit www.letsdocoffeeroasters.com.au
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