Guess What? Guess What? I got an apprenticeship!! Hope Cafe Story

It’s been a very busy day, it’s the tail end of Book Week for us which has been extremely busy in the Hope Costumes & Thrift Store and to be honest I’m feeling very tired, weary and foot sore (literally) and thinking it must be getting close to home time, surely. You know the feeling (I know I’m not alone here). The front automatic doors open and a tracksuit wearing flash flies towards me, I’m confronted by a massive grin filling the face of one of our young people whom have been training in Hope Cafe, jumping up and down saying “Guess What? Guess What?”

At this moment, I realise something pretty spectacular has just happened to this young person, just that morning in another setting they were depressed and hurting, but stoically standing and pushing through to fulfil their commitments in a presentation. I’ve now forgotten how sore my feet are and my tiredness as I too begin to jump up and down “What? What?” I respond just as excited “I got an apprenticeship!” they shout out “Oh my gosh, that’s super exciting can I give you a hug?” They throw their arms around my neck and we’re jumping up and down together, squealing in delight.

“Was it the part-time apprenticeship?” I ask, knowing this is what they had been working towards. “No a full time apprenticeship.” this response brings on more squeals, jumping and hugs. “Ok I got to go but I’ll be in tomorrow, I just had to come in and tell you.” They call out as they head towards the door, but not able to exit just yet as other Teen Challenge team members waylay them on the exit with congratulations of their own.

As I watch them leave the store, my heart is going through two emotions, wait, no actually three. Firstly, I’m super proud of them and knowing just a snippet of their story and what they have been through privately, since commencement of our Hope Cafe Youth Training in March this year. Their resilience has been building and they’ve bounced back on so many let downs, this is a fruition of determination.

Secondly, I’m very happy for the work of our team in supporting this young person, it’s so much more than teaching someone how to make coffee’s, presentation, order timing, customer service etc. It’s about building relationship, building trust, intentionally seeking to care, see and love someone even beyond the crusty responses, hurting, anxiety, depression, differing opinions and more. This is what Teen Challenge Tasmania is all about, connecting with and helping ignite something within young people to see for themselves just how much value and worth they have to offer in life, to break down barriers, to step into a future with hope. Get a job or reconnect with education.

Lastly, I feel a little sad, am I allowed to say that? I’m commencing the totally normal process of grieving, something I’ve experienced many times with young people we have supported, each special and unique. I’m not going to see that young person every week now on roster. We won’t have that same banter and conversations over making sandwiches and getting customer orders together. It’s time to say Goodbye, to celebrate the victory and to be released to move on with their future.

The next day is their, now last, shift with us in Hope Cafe. We are excitedly talking about their news. They shared how after the interview they weren’t supposed to hear for a month, then they were contacted again, it was going to be a week now before they heard, then another contact and it was to be the next day, then another contact and an answer would be made in a couple of hours, then another call in 5 mins and they had the apprenticeship!

We know how special this young person is, their skills and ability, something they struggle to see, it was perfectly normal in our eyes, they were the perfect candidate, despite exteriors. It was exciting to watch them experience the realization that they achieved this on their own merit. What an incredible boost to their view of themselves in comparison to much that they have been told the opposite in life.

Later that day, they came up to me privately and I won’t share everything they said, however I will share this part “Thank you for believing in me and being there for me. If it weren’t for you and the team I wouldn’t be where I am right now. Your prayers for me worked! I’m a different person now. The whole team has been a part of that.” they stated “It’s hitting me that I’m not going to be here each week now, today is my last shift. But I’m going to make sure I come and visit you guys and of course you can come see me at my new work.” We hug and we’re both a bit teary, but happiness wins the day and excitement for a young future with hope.

Hope Cafe alongside, Hope Costumes and Thrift Store are our two social enterprises that are designed to provide income streams to our overall operations, however more importantly as valuable training grounds for young people, that need a supportive environment to learn valuable workplace skills in Hospitality and Retail to ultimately gain employment or confidence to connect back into community or education.

Downturns in the economy have led to challenges in income generation from Hope Costumes & Thrift Store for the first half of this year. Hope Cafe has never made profit, in fact it’s been a significant drain on our resources (think anywhere from $6000 - $11000 per month), however I think you can agree the work done here is far more important. We were faced with a tough decision in April this year to close this part of our organisation and publically I spoke of the struggle we were facing, something I was challenged with as it does not come naturally for me to do so, via a GoFundMe Campaign, which gained traction in the local news.

Through this difficult time, publically speaking to our desperate circumstances, we were overwhelmed with support from the community to help us in many, many different ways. There was financial support from Mum’s & Dad’s, Grandparent’s, Local Business owners and organisations that helped us immediately to meet our financial commitments.

An amazing lady from TasCoffee Roasters connected with us and delivered 50kg of Coffee Beans to us (subsequently she’s donated another 30kg last month too). Another amazing woman came forward with significant experience running her own cafes and offered to help us review our menu, operations and practices within the cafe, which resulted in a complete overhaul and reduction in costs, but increase in quality of presentation, consistency and homemade offerings.

We’ve had people coming in to grab coffee’s, snacks or lunch that maybe never would have, which initially gave quite a surge to turnover and has now levelled out again, but I’m pleased to say a little higher than before. Some have learnt of our Catering boxes and have given us an opportunity to provide delcicious catering options for their breakfasts, Teas, lunches and functions. Last month for the first time we were just over $1100 off breaking even in Hope Cafe through trading. We have never been this close before and we are confident we will be close to achieving break even soon and when we do that we are happy with that result, it doesn’t need to be about profit.

Through this comes the ability for us to support young people within these enterprises that perhaps would not be given a go. Potentially considered as “too challenging”, “too hard” or “doesn’t really fit” our young people deserve a chance and with some practical support, trust and belief in them, they break their own barriers and shine at their own pace.

Thank you for believing in us and supporting the enterprises that help us do the work we do with at-risk youth from many backgrounds. I truly can’t express what your support has meant to us during our tough times, we have felt supported and encouraged. We are still a work in progress. If you would like help us continue to support young people just like this young person and to donate towards this aspect of our programs feel free via the button below.

If you would like to support us practically in other ways, come visit us and enjoy our offerings we are at 90 St John Street, Launceston. Hope Cafe is open Monday - Saturday 8am - 3pm. Hope Costumes & Thrift Store is open Monday - Thursday & Saturday 9am - 4pm and Friday 9am - 5pm.

Come Volunteer at our Bunnings BBQ Fundraisers for a shift once a month at North Launceston Bunnings Warehouse as we raise needed funds in this way.

Got skills or time? How about Volunteering in the Shop, Cafe, Admin, Cleaning, Fundraising, becoming a Youth Mentor in our Mentoring Program, the skys the limit. Connect and discuss.

Check out our Hope Cafe catering boxes available and consider us for your next function via the button below. Hope Cafe Phone Number 0475 628 735