Cafe serves opportunity with coffee
Hayley Childs does not let her Down syndrome stop her from pursuing a career in hospitality.
The 26-year-old serves food and coffee at Shenton Park's The Warehouse Cafe, which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
"I have learnt a lot here. I talk to the customers and serve a lot of food and coffee," Ms Childs said.
Through Uniting Care West's Community Options program, The Warehouse Cafe helps train 20 people with disabilities.
"Our aim is to get these people ready for employment," cafe supervisor Rob Casilli said.
The cafe this week won the Orange Seed Project award. Run by _The West Australian _and Busselton marketing agency Jack in the box, the project supports non-profit groups' work.
It entitles The Warehouse Cafe to a marketing and advertising package worth $115,000.
Uniting Care West chief executive Sue Ash said the prize would help enormously.
"Not-for-profit organisations don't have much money for marketing and a place like this needs to be known," she said.
"Orange Seed is a really unique project. It is an exciting opportunity to promote the cafe.
"If people buy a coffee here they not only get a great coffee, their money helps the community. That is the essence of Warehouse Cafe - the double benefit."
Mr Casilli, who has worked in hospitality for more than 20 years, started with the cafe this year.
"I got to a point in my career where I wanted to be part of something to make a difference," he said.
"I didn't realise there were so many people who help with disabilities until I started working here, so it is humbling."
