Zander follows his volunteering dream
The team at Yooralla’s Learning Hub sprang into action as soon as they learnt that Zander – one of their students – wanted to give back to the community through volunteering.
Yooralla has supported customer Zander to follow his dream of becoming a volunteer.
The team at Yooralla’s Learning Hub sprang into action as soon as they learnt that Zander – one of their students – wanted to give back to the community through volunteering.
Rita Trotta, Customer Service Manager at the Learning Hub, said after researching local volunteering opportunities, the team secured a permanent volunteering job for Zander, 25, at Kinfolk Café in Melbourne’s CBD.
“Zander was keen to volunteer in hospitality and the café’s ethos of addressing social inclusion through great coffee and seasonal food appealed to him,” she said.
Kinfolk Café is a social enterprise. Supported by volunteers, the café donates all of its profits to partner charities.
Zander said he always looks forward to his shifts.
“I love coming to work. I love the atmosphere. There is always good music playing and everyone is really friendly,” he said.
Zander started volunteering at the café with a two-hour shift on Mondays. His responsibilities include taking orders, entering the orders into the computer, serving the food and coffee, clearing tables and washing dishes.
Rita said it went so well that Zander was offered an additional four-hour shift on Tuesdays.
“Seeing how much Zander enjoyed his volunteering job and how much he was learning, another Learning Hub customer, Henry, also successfully interviewed and took on a permanent volunteering shift on Fridays.
“They are both really enjoying their volunteering at the café. They are learning new skills, as well as being involved in their local community, and supporting a like-minded, community spirited organisation to promote social inclusion for all”, she said.
The Learning Hub is one of Yooralla’s Community Hubs across Victoria, where adults with disability can access innovative and stimulating programs and activities designed to enhance life skills and promote choice, inclusion, independence and wellbeing.
You can read more about Yooralla’s Community Hubs here: https://www.yooralla.com.au/services/community-hubs-and-supports.