Cafe 4 Good grand opening


By
November 5, 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sault Business Matters has received the following media release from the good folks at Cafe 4 Good relative to its upcoming grand opening.

On behalf of the Board of Directors we are excited to announce our official grand opening of Cafe 4 Good, on Friday November 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm with official ribbon cutting at 2:45 pm (location 326 Queen St East) This is our second social enterprise project that supports our underlining vision that we all have something to contribute.

ABOUT:

At Grocer 4 Good Ability Development Program (G4G), our mission is to create accessible, low-barrier employment opportunities for individuals facing multifaceted barriers to employment, particularly those on the Autism spectrum and youth navigating mental health challenges. We are passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is celebrated for their unique contributions, empowering them to develop essential skills and gain meaningful work experience.

Through our vibrant social enterprises, Grocer 4 Good (G4G, the grocery store) and Cafe 4 Good (C4G, the cafe), we not only provide at-cost groceries to food-insecure community members in Sault Ste. Marie, we also cultivate supportive spaces that promote personal growth and social inclusion. These enterprises serve as powerful vehicles for change, transforming lives and uplifting our community.

Cafe 4 Good will work closely with multiple stakeholders in creating a welcome space for the community to enjoy and for youth to thrive and begin their journey to wellness and success. Their goal is to support 28 individual youth per year with job skills, paid employment, and social emotional supports – all leading to a healthy life plan.

HOW:

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, announced an investment of over $1.14 million towards the Grocer 4 Good and the Cafe 4 Good initiative.
Grocer 4 Good works in Sault Ste. Marie to help provide employment and work experience to those with disabilities and barriers, and providing food access to those in our downtown community who are on a fixed income. This funding, provided through Public Safety Canada’s Crime Prevention Action Fund, will support G4G with a cafe model which will expand this mandate to address the under-employment of youth in the justice system or at risk of incarceration. G4G collaborated on this application with Algoma Family Services, District Social Services of Sault Ste Marie and the Social Equity Committee to leverage their collective experience in the youth community.