Lunchbox Café & Catering is helping adults with developmental disabilities learn and acquire important job skills through hands-on training in a supportive and inclusive workplace.

The café, located at 917 Nipissing Rd., is part of a Community Living North Halton program and is managed by Cheryl Miller. In addition to offering real work experience, the café provides catering services and meeting rooms that are used by local community groups, helping everyone feel connected and supported.

The café also accepts teens with developmental disabilities in the high school Life Skills/Special Education program to learn about the hospitality industry as part of their co-op experience. The Lunchbox Café’s vision is to create a community where everyone belongs and is valued.

The training at the café is designed to meet the diverse needs of its members, and it allows them to grow at their own pace. Trainees learn everyday café tasks such as cleaning, washing dishes, restocking, and helping prepare food, while some also learn to take customer orders if they can read, write, and handle money. Along with job tasks, the program focuses on building confidence and soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Staff provide constant support using simple instructions, visual guides, and repetition to help trainees succeed.

Source: Halton Hills News