Keep Hope Cafe's doors open support & train struggling Youth

URGENT HELP NEEDED I'm raising money to help keep Hope Cafe, a social enterprise of Teen Challenge Tasmania, open to support struggling young people be supported in a safe environment and learn hospitality skills to gain confidence and ultimately a job and giving them a purpose in life.

With the downturn in the market with cost of living increasing it is impossible for the income from the cafe to cover the expenses, even though we have cut back every expense possible and even make most of our food for sale on site. The deficit is impacting other services TCT operate like youth mentoring and may mean we need to close the Cafe.

Hope Cafe opened in March 2023 and as at December it had 20 young people in the training program. Of those 8 gained employment, 5 gained employment and re-engaged/continued education and 7 re-engaged/continued education, a fabulous success. This year to date there are now 12 young people engaged in the program.

Here's one story after just 4 weeks:

"D is placed in independent living at a young age, which means the situation with family is such that it is not safe for them there. They were so anxious and withdrawn that going to school for just 2 hours a week was too much, they isolated in the unit afraid to go out and socialise. They were introduced to Hope Café Youth Training in hospitality by another young person who has been helped within the program. They made a big step to come in to have a chat. They have now been in the program for 4 weeks. Just the other day D told a supervisor they have been helped a lot by coming in and the support they receive. They now attend school 3 days a week, 2 days in the café and when they go home they don’t isolate in their unit but socialise and visit other people. All said with a big smile on their face where just 4 weeks ago there was little eye contact."

Funds Raised will benefit Teen Challenge Tasmania Inc, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me because of the true difference I see in the lives of young people that are just given a go.

More information about Teen Challenge Tasmania Inc: Our Vision Statement "A World Free from Addiction"

Teen Challenge Tasmania is dedicated to empowering, educating and equipping young people and communities to build resilience to avoid the pathway that leads to addiction. We achieve this via Youth and Family Mentoring and Alcohol and Drug Education projects within schools, sporting clubs and communities, Arrowsmith Program = overcoming learning difficulties so young people can re-engage with education, Youth Retail & Hospitality skills training in Hope Costumes & Thrift Store and Hope Cafe Tasmania, Youth Games Club, Meaningful Arts - expressive art therapy program for very troubled youth. We believe informed, strong, anchored and resilient people can make positive choices for their future and help others to do the same.