Changing lives one coffee at a time

Not everyone gets an easy start in life. Homeground Café, tucked in the Tanti community in Mornington, is doing its best to level the playing field by giving young people who’ve been dealt some tough cards a chance to get ahead.

Homeground is a social enterprise that succeeds in engaging and supporting young people to learn valuable work and life skills through a 12-week traineeship program. This little neighbourhood café has built a loyal following on consistently great coffee, delicious café fare and warm hospitality, and it also happens to be changing lives for the better.

“I was a volunteer youth worker for several years,” says Homeground co-founder Sam Hearn. “I knew the Peninsula had some of the highest unemployment rates for young people in Victoria, so that was something I wanted to make a difference in. I’d worked in hospitality and had good friends who owned hospitality businesses, particularly Commonfolk Coffee. I was inspired to bring together great business skills with a real heart for people in need in the community.”

Homeground opened in December 2017, and the hardworking team are proud they’re still open post-COVID lockdowns. “The need for what we do is greater than ever because of the impact of COVID,” Sam says. During COVID, Homeground started a neighbourhood food-sharing program called In This Together, which continues today. Volunteers prepare 100 meals a week ready for people in need who call in.

Over the past four and a half years, 70 young people have completed Homeground’s traineeship program. Their circumstances vary but they may have experienced homelessness, mental or physical health challenges, family breakdown, or disability. “It’s been great to see trainees go from strength to strength. They’re young people who probably wouldn’t be given a go in a lot of businesses because there isn’t the vision or patience to see their potential.”

Trainees learn specialty coffee skills at Commonfolk, work in Homeground’s kitchen learning about food safety and preparation, and then learn customer service skills. Graduates of the program also attain their Responsible Service of Alcohol and Food Handling certificates. “The traineeship is also about building general work skills, how to interact as a team member, show initiative, how to relate to having a boss, and learn without it being high pressure like in a typical workplace. It’s a chance to build skills and confidence over time.”

Homeground volunteers and donors play important roles. It costs about $2000 for each trainee to complete the program. Grants and donations make this possible. “We have several regular volunteers in the café kitchen. One of our current volunteers is a retired home economics teacher. People come in and work alongside the young people and become like mentors.”

Homeground has finished top three in the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s past two Best Bites People’s Choice Awards. “The Best Bites recognition has been a highlight,” Sam says. “It means we’re holding our own as a café. There can be a stereotype that because we’re a social enterprise it means we don’t do the café part as well as a stand-alone business. I guess this busts that myth.”

Homeground is at 22 Robertson Drive, Mornington. Donations can be made at www.homegroundcoffeeco.com.au