Social Enterprise Cafés and Community Connections
2024–25
Hope Street Café is operating in both South Brisbane and West End. These are safe and inclusive spaces where inclusion meaningful connection are formed.
I heard about the traineeship through the Romero Center. I didn’t have any experience of working in the kitchen before, so I saw the traineeship as an opportunity to learn and grow. I have gained confidence in my abilities and feel more prepared for future challenges.
Community Connections
Through our Community Connections programs, we continued providing weekly free community meals, regular art exhibitions and open mic nights.
Shared meals and creative arts can reduce loneliness, create community connection and reduce social isolation.
We support our service delivery teams with nourishing meals to individuals and families in motels and in community housing.
Pay it Forward
In 2024-25, our ‘Pay it Forward’ food and beverage initiative became a stronger intersection point for community members to participate in a cycle of unconditional goodwill, creating a ripple effect of kindness without obligation.
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Donations |
|
|---|---|
|
$14,585 |
customer donations |
United Artists Project
The United Artists Project supported new and emerging artists through exhibitions at Hope Street Café.
|
Exhibitions |
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|---|---|
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98 |
community artists |
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$7,148 |
exhibition sales |
Funders, partners and collaborators
- Food Connect Shed
- Queensland Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training
- Souths Leagues Club
- Common Ground Queensland
- Oz Harvest Second Bite
- Street Smart Australia
- Bellisimo Coffee
- Social Traders
- QSEC
Social Enterprise
Our social enterprise cafés integrate training, employment, hospitality and volunteering for the lives of people facing adversity while fostering an inclusive and just community.
Employment and Training
1,614
hours of volunteer engagement through community connections lunches, programs and Hope Street Cafés
11
trainees supported
5
employed
3
graduates permanently employed at the Hope Street Cafés
Nourishing Food
16,426
meals made and distributed through Micah Projects’ services, supporting individuals and families
1,948
meals prepared and served at weekly community lunch in West End