Since 2022, Melly’s Market + Café in Whitby has offered coffee and treats to customers while serving as a training space for adults with disabilities. Melly’s Workplace program provides hands-on work experience, important job skills, and coaching to help adults with disabilities move into permanent jobs.

The six-month program includes four months of training in areas such as customer service, merchandising, and inventory, followed by two months focused on career goals, résumés, and job preparation. To help graduates take the next step, the Melly’s Bridge program partners with local businesses to create job opportunities.

Whitby’s “café with a conscience” is receiving $872,000 in provincial funding through the Skills Development Fund for its Raising the Bar project. The funding will help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills for in-demand jobs in office administration, customer service, and manufacturing.

The project offers hands-on learning with 16 workplace skill modules and 16 personal development modules to prepare participants for the workforce. It uses a data-driven, person-focused coaching approach to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find long-term, meaningful jobs. Trained coaches guide participants through supported employment pathways, and those interested are encouraged to reach out to the lead organizations directly. Melly’s Workplace program is open to adults with disabilities over the age of 21. For more information on their programs, visit Melly’s Workplace’s website.

Source: Glenn Hendry, INsauga