![It's coffee time with Marty Anwar Puder, Joel Grove, Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce, Raj Uprety, Annie Doyle, Bernadette Mills and Miranda MP Eleni Petinos. Picture by Chris Lane It's coffee time with Marty Anwar Puder, Joel Grove, Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce, Raj Uprety, Annie Doyle, Bernadette Mills and Miranda MP Eleni Petinos. Picture by Chris Lane](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/cmVmMQsbi2AtDjEpmZLhes/72e3ed1f-c3af-40ed-a49c-9fa2780a6837.JPG/r0_0_4896_3264_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
There is new cafe in town and it's frothing with excitement.
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St George & Sutherland Community College at Jannali welcomed its latest inclusive space - Civic Disability Service's coffee hub.
This is its fifth social enterprise kitchen and cafe within the college, and both organisations have partnered to provide fresh food and beverage services on the campus grounds five days a week.
The cafe aims to support people with employment opportunities and hospitality training.
People with disability are employed at a far lower rate across the community but this site hopes to change that.
![Civic Disability Services opens a cafe on the grounds of St George & Sutherland Community College. Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce cuts the ribbon. Picture by Chris Lane Civic Disability Services opens a cafe on the grounds of St George & Sutherland Community College. Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce cuts the ribbon. Picture by Chris Lane](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/cmVmMQsbi2AtDjEpmZLhes/0c7bf548-6399-418d-a252-64b85cd7161d.JPG/r0_0_4512_3058_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We are proud to open this site and expand our kitchen and cafe business to employ more people with disability in Sutherland Shire," Civic Chief Executive Annie Doyle said.
"This is such important work because we know people with disability are much less likely to be in employment."
Civic's social enterprise kitchen business is thriving and includes outlets at Caringbah and Engadine. The Engadine kitchen provides a weekly high tea, and commercial catering solutions are available. Civic also can support events with a coffee cart service.
The business model recruits hospitality professionals to work alongside people with disability to provide high quality products while developing skills that increase employability in the wider jobs market.
"We've seen people grow their practical skills in the kitchen but the benefits have extended across their personal life - helping people to be more independent in their home and improving their social connections," Civic's Food Experience Manager Joel Grove, said.
![The space was designed to give people with disabilities experience in the hospitality industry. Picture by Chris Lane The space was designed to give people with disabilities experience in the hospitality industry. Picture by Chris Lane](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/cmVmMQsbi2AtDjEpmZLhes/d1415386-8fdc-47f9-ad0b-b571ee3ecda5.JPG/r0_0_4644_2916_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Civic was founded in Sutherland Shire more than 65 years ago with an early focus to provide employment opportunities. Civic supports people to realise their potential providing employment for more than 150 people with disability through operating social enterprises and providing business solutions.
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