A NEW cafe offering priceless employment opportunities for people with a disabilities has officially opened in the Bathurst Trade Centre.
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Café on Corporation is the brainchild of the Generocity Church and Vivability, but has only become a reality through the support of a number of Bathurst organisations and businesses.
Lead pastor Caleb Dwyer told Friday's official opening that there were a lot of people to thank.
"I want to thank Paul Toole and the state government for the My Community Project funding that has been very helpful and also Shane Gilchrist from Bathurst Toyota for their contribution which has been greatly appreciated," Mr Dwyer said.
"Through the Bathurst RSL we were able to receive a ClubGrants donation which went straight into Café on Corporation and I also have to thank [building contractor] Steve Smith and Bathurst Electrical who have been absolutely phenomenal.
"They've given time and energy way above anything we could have expected.
"The reality is that without so many different organisations and skill sets in our community coming together this just would not have happened.
"What a cool community to be part of. Bathurst is a great place to live."
Vivability CEO Nick Packham said Café on Corporation would provide opportunities for Vivability clients that did not previously exist in town.
"It not creates a workplace option for people with a disability but also will go on to create actual paid employment opportunities for them," Mr Packham said.
"That's the space that Vivability is most interested in, because we're promoting award wages for people with a disability
"Work is one of those things that most of us do and people with a disability also want real work with real wages.
"We're working with others in the community to try and make that happen."
Work is one of those things that most of us do and people with a disability also want real work with real wages.
- Vivability CEO Nick Packham
Bathurst MP Paul Toole, who announced in September that the Generocity Church had been granted $20,000 to help make Café on Corporation a reality, was also on hand for the opening.
Café on Corporation is open inside the Generocity Church at 9 Corporation Avenue, Robin Hill.
The café will be open from from 7am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, with Vivability clients set to operate in rotational shifts each day.