Te Tuhi has partnered with Rescare Homes Trust and The University of Auckland to establish Aotearoa’s New Zealand’s first training café for people with intellectual disabilities The new café, located at Te Tuhi, provides in-house training and paid employment for people with intellectual disabilities, through a community-based programme.
The initiative launched on 20 July 2020 and will be open Monday to Saturday 9am-2pm serving barista-made coffee and a range of freshly baked cabinet food.
Rescare Homes Trust provides supported residential accommodation and vocational support for adults with intellectual disabilities, to enable more independent living. Tracey Lanigan, CEO of Rescare, says, “The training café is an excellent stepping stone to learn new skills in a supportive environment, and we are excited to be partnering with Te Tuhi and The University of Auckland in creating equal learning, training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.”Pakuranga Rotary supported the establishment of the Te Tuhi Community centre and Art gallery and an added bonus of supporting the café is easy access to nationally significant art exhibitions.
The café project is a non-profit enterprise and they are currently seeking support to cover wages of trainers, trainees and other café staff.