Caf helping people with employment barriers opens in Sydney

A Cape Breton non-profit that offers vocational training and employment help for adults with mental disabilities or who facemultiple barriers toworkinghas opened a caf.

Sebastian's is run by theHorizon Achievement Centre andis located in the Cabot House apartment complex on King's Road in Sydney. It isnamed after explorer John Cabot's son Sebastian.

Lisa Riley, thefood services co-ordinator,said the caf model offers many learning opportunities for clients with the hope of finding employment.

"A lot of transfer skills: so good food preparation skills, good hygiene practices cooking on small scales with small equipment," she said.

"We're serving Just Us coffee, we also have salads, sandwiches, beautiful homemade soup, some of our baked goods. We're also going to sell our lasagna, cabbage rolls, meatballs and we're very pleased with our sales. We're very pleased with our customers,"she said.

Riley said money raised goes back to Horizon to fund ongoing programmes and services for their 120 clients.

Tracey MacKinnon has just started working at the caf.

"I wait on customers, I clean tables, do whatever I'm told to do, I love it," she said. "I'll learn how to use the cash register and stuff. I want people to think it's a nice spot to come and have lunch. It's a very nice spot in here I'm sure people will love it here."

Stewart Matheson, theproperty manager with building ownerKillam Properties, said the caf is great for the 88 residents of Cabot House and for the commercial renters in the building.

"We wanted a coffee shop, we approached [Horizon] and asked them to do a proposal and our head office in Halifax, which has a very strong social conscience, welcomed that and we're thrilled with that," he said.

Liz Mahoney, who lives in the building, saidSebastian's has quickly become part of her daily routine.

"I came down for a coffee this morning and it was great.I have to buy supper before I go back. I'm buying cabbage rolls to take home tonight."

Horizon is planning to build a new $12.7-million centre on land donated by the former NDP government at Harbourside Commercial Park.

Horizon's business manager, Stephen Tobin, said they're hoping to get the shovel in the ground by the fall.