Common Ground Dickson residents can grow their confidence, skills and qualifications through the new social enterprise café, 'Stepping Stone'.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Yvette Berry, and Minister for Homelessness Services Rebecca Vassarotti will today formally open Stepping Stone Café in Hawdon Place, Dickson.
Stepping Stone Café is more than just a café; it is a work integration social enterprise. It operates a sustainable food business while providing employment and on-the-job training, to women who face multiple barriers when seeking stable employment.
The café began operations in August 2023, completing the range of on-site services provided by Community Housing Canberra and YWCA Canberra to Common Ground residents.
Residents can apply for permanent or casual roles at the café. They gain an income, hands-on experience and acquire transferable skills and qualifications through registered training organisations.
Designed to be welcoming and supportive for migrant, refugee, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, Stepping Stone offers flexible rostering, adaptive training tools, on-the-job trainers and a menu that reflects the cultural diversity of the staff.
Stepping Stone's inaugural café in Strathnairn has been an incredible success and has employed over 28 women.
Stepping Stone Café at Dickson has so far offered 15 residents work, training and support for workforce integration.
Common Ground Dickson opened officially in October 2022 to provide long-term, stable housing and support services to 40 households.
Stepping Stone Café is located at Hawdon Place, Dickson and open to the public on Tuesdays through to Saturdays, from 8:30am – 3pm.
Quotes attributable to Housing and Suburban Development Minister Yvette Berry:
"Stepping Stone Café is a wonderful place to work and train for women who want to enter the workforce but might be facing some challenges. It gives them great one-on-one support to find work in Canberra's hospitality industry.
"The café at Common Ground Dickson supports residents with a complete range of on-site services to help them achieve long-term stability in all aspects of their lives."
Quotes attributable to Homelessness Services Minister Rebecca Vassarotti:
"For women who have experienced homelessness, transitioning from being homeless to re-entering the job market can be an especially daunting journey.
"The confidence and skills women gain through the Stepping Stone Café is invaluable in improving the quality of their lives and improves their pathway to a job and financial stability.
"The opportunity it offers is particularly valuable in empowering participants with the optimism to overcome other personal challenges and fulfil their own goals."
Quotes attributable to Founder and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Stepping Stone Vanessa Brettell:
"Stepping Stone café is a work integration social enterprise dedicated to providing employment and training to women who face multiple barriers to finding stable employment.
"After initially operating in Strathnairn, where we have been supporting women through a sustainable food business for the last three years, we are very excited for this opportunity to expand and grow our impact.
"We aim to demonstrate the efficiency of social enterprise in working with the government and community to improve social outcomes.
"We are grateful for the positive response we have had from the greater community and residents, with lots of regulars coming in and helping us create a friendly community space where everyone is welcome. Food is such a wonderful way to bring people together and we feel so grateful to have the opportunity to foster this."
