Often it can just take a simple cup of coffee to break down barriers and unite friends, neighbours and communities. With this in mind, 28-year-old Jane Marx saw that she could help make a difference to the lives of young refugees in Australia who are looking to fulfil their potential.
While working as an English-language tutor for members of Melbourne’s refugee community, Jane was paired with a female refugee from Sudan who could not find a job.
“I imagine that being here and not having sufficient English language skills would be very difficult.” Jane says.
“My experience with her was pivotal in deciding to set up this social enterprise initiative, named Long Street Coffee.”
Jane’s dream of setting up a cafe to give young refugees the chance to receive paid training in barista and hospitality skills, and the opportunity to build their self-confidence through paid employment, is now a reality, thanks to the scholarship.
With her $10,000 runner-up fund, Jane has bought the fit-out equipment to establish the cafe and has paid for staff training, which has seen Long Street Coffee run as a pop-up cafe at events around Melbourne.
“The first day [of trade] was a huge success,” says Jane.
“We were able to offer hospitality training and paid work experience to two young people from refugee backgrounds, who have never worked in Australia before. Our trainees’ confidence built throughout the day – they were both so quick to learn and were interacting with customers after only a few hours.”
Jane is now planning to use the rest of her scholarship for an online donation campaign. This will help to raise more money to put the trainees through a barista-skills training course and to establish a permanent cafe, assisting youth employment and showing the wider community that refugees are not a burden, but an asset.
“Winning the scholarship money has had a hugely positive impact on my life, as it’s allowed me to build the foundations of Long Street. It has meant that instead of talking about a concept, I am now able to show photographs and video footage of the enterprise in action,” says Jane.
“People who might not have otherwise been interested in refugee rights have wanted to speak to me after learning The Weekly is supportive of my dream and it’s given this project a great amount of legitimacy.”
We can help you realise your dream with The Australian Women’s Weekly Women Of The Future Qantas scholarship. To enter, click here
