A VOLUNTEER-based cafe in Queanbeyan, which gives people the chance to gain real industry experience and training, was awarded for its service to the community at a ceremony last month.
The Storybook Café, which operates from the Queanbeyan Library, was awarded the “excellence award” in the community development and services category at the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards in Sydney on June 20.
Established by the Axis Youth Centre, the the volunteer program was launched to help participants gain meaningful employment in the hospitality industry.
Program coordinator of community Terry Campese says: “We are proud to win this award and it is a great recognition of the benefits the café has had to people’s lives.
“Not only is it a place for people to get experience but a place to feel safe and socialise.
“This initiative has been very successful and we’ve had about 40 young people come through the program to become trained baristas.
“Most of these have now moved into employment in the industry or similar paid work.”
The Storybook Cafe has been shortlisted for the national awards.
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