Coffee with a conscience providing jobs and training

NORTHERN Rivers Community Gateway has started up the Cart Cafe, offering struggling locals, and those roughing it, an opportunity to take on employment and further training.

The mobile coffee cart, equipped with the latest barista equipment, will cater to events in the region and will likely operate outside the Community Gateway's Carrington St, Lismore premises.

Jenni Beetson-Mortimer, chief executive at the Community Gateway, said homelessness and disadvantage was a growing problem.

The issue prompted staff members to brainstorm solutions and help people to help themselves.

As a result, The Cart Cafe, spruiking "Coffee With a Conscience", was born, thanks largely to funding from the Department of Social Services.

"Importantly, it's a social enterprise for us," Mrs Beetson-Mortimer said.

"As a registered charity and community service organisation, the funds raised here can be reinvested in our organisation and we can then provide more services."

Phone 6621 7397 or visit the Northern Rivers Community Gateway website for more details.

Source: The Northern Star, 5^th August 2015
Originally published as: Coffee with a conscience providing jobs and training