By Aaron Cordy
WHEN grabbing your morning coffee or a bite of lunch with friends becomes more than refuelling for the day but is giving someone with a disability the chance to build confidence and partake in meaningful employment, you must have stopped at ECO Cafe on Wyndham Street.
Eco Café Enterprises, the third social enterprise of Shepparton Access dedicated to fostering inclusivity and employment for individuals with disabilities. In Australia, people with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those without disabilities. At Shepparton Access we would like to remove those barriers to employment to make a difference in our community.
Eco Café is a place where you can experience warmth, smiles and a truly inviting atmosphere. They aim to provide an inclusive space where all members of the community can gather and people with disabilities like Amy and Melinda are given opportunities to work and connect.
Amy and Melinda have been working at the cafe since it opened and have gained tremendous experience in a real working environment that understands their unique needs.
“I love being in the café and talking to the customers,'” said Amy.
“I am learning to make coffee, and my favourite part of the week is being in Eco Café,” said Melinda.
When looking for your next coffee hit, or a bit of lunch, check out Eco Cafe at 240 Wyndham Street, Shepparton.
