Blog

It's a matter of trust

by Vanessa on 7 February 2011

Things have been pretty mad around here lately. I thought I’d take this opportunity to publically share some thoughts.

We have recently welcomed our third group of trainees. Ten energetic and enthusiastic young people have joined our team. It’s very exciting when we consider that this whole STREAT traineeship gig only began less than twelve months ago. I have been fortunate enough to be part of a team who has worked with almost 40 young people who are committed to changing their paths and working toward a brighter future.

That said, it’s not always an easy ride. Young people who have experienced disengagement, exclusion and life on the fringe tend to have some trust issues. Often, these young people have been mistreated by people and systems in which they have placed their faith. Who can blame them if they don’t want to be your mate within minutes, or disclose long buried, personal and intimate details of their lives?

Learning to trust can be difficult. For some people, it’s much easier to remain distant than to risk further betrayal. The tricky part is that, solid, effective and honest working relationships can be created if trust is developed and I think you’ll agree that these are the relationships most people would prefer. Not only would I prefer this type of working relationship but my best working experiences have come about as a result of them.

Developing relationships with young people who are challenged by trusting others can be difficult but I’ve picked up a few tips over the years.

Say what you mean and mean what you say
Don’t make promises you can’t keep
Ensure clear and transparent boundaries
Listen effectively and without judgment
Remain integral and provide factual, up to date information

Probably the thing I’ve learned the most though is to persevere. Building trust can take time but I think you’ll agree, once mastered, its well worth the effort.

Welcome to the New Year

by Sunisa on 24 January 2011

Hello STREAT supporters, and welcome to the New Year. We hope you’re had a lovely holiday season! Let me tell you a bit about what’s kept us entertained this past month.

We began January with a visit from our Danish philanthropists; these are the lovely investors who first believed in the little idea that was STREAT. Kim came to Melbourne to see what grew from the little seeds of her belief in the concept. She got to eat tacos, drink a cuppa, and most memorably, meet one of the graduates of our first class of trainees at her current workplace, Papa Goose. There must be nothing like knowing that an investment has paid dividends of a job path for a disadvantaged young person.

STREAT’s also been engaging in some cross-sectoral collaboration. We’re pleased to say that Second Bite are now donating a 10kg fruit box to the STREAT trainees, delivered every Monday morning. This week’s bounty includes apples, cherries, and blueberries—yum! For our trainees the fruit is a vital part what we try to do, which is introduce the young people to healthy and wholesome foodstuffs so that their nutrition is improved.

We were also fortunate enough to inherit some veggie plants (two trucks’ worth, in fact) from the Little Veggie Patch Company. They filled our office with the sweet, sharp scent of parsley, rosemary, thyme and basil. We’ve harvested green tomatoes from our new urban garden for the salsa verde that tops the tacos, and also gathered herbs for different cooking sessions with the trainees. Kinfolk have even nipped in for a bit of basil for their lunchtime special!

I hope that this food and veggie love makes for a special 2011, for STREAT and for you. Thanks for tuning in.

Sunisa

A call for sites

by Sunisa on 8 December 2010

Want to be part of STREAT’s next replication?

We’re looking to add another coffee cart site in the Melbourne CBD. Do you have a idea of where we should be?

The criteria are that it has to be in an area with high pedestrian traffic; we need to be weatherproof; and the minimum space requirement is 3x3 meters. Other than that, laneways, transport hubs, and building foyers are all open options.

Send us location ideas! Email sites@streat.com.au

Giving season

by Sunisa on 6 December 2010

Customers! Fans! Supporters of STREAT!

Those of you frequenting our food or coffee cart will know that since launching each site, we’ve had loyalty cards on offer. We’ve said that if you buy nine meals with us we’ll give the tenth to someone who needs it. The same thing applies to the coffee cart, where with your purchase of the tenth coffee, you donate to someone in need.

Well, STREAT just handed out 39 free tacos and 89 free coffees, thanks to your loyalty.

The Salvation Army runs a fantastic initiative called the 614 mobile youth bus. The 614 bus tours Melbourne at night, offering food, free Internet access, and social space for youth in need. The bus often parks on the corner of Flinders St and Swanston St, which is right near the STREAT taco cart during the day. They see between 70-90 youth each night, and are doing great things creating a community for homeless youth. The 614 bus sees the same youth that STREAT recruits to go through our training program. We really believe in their work, so be sure to check them out and keep going through our loyalty card, so we can give them more tacos and coffees.

Thanks for your support. We couldn’t do the handout without you.

STREAT

Hello Jo, who knocks out coffees with the best of them

by Sunisa on 29 November 2010

It’s time the STREAT team tips a virtual hat to our standout barista Jo, who cranks out stellar coffees at Melbourne Central. She’s amassed a following of folks eager for their cuppa produced from her capable hands. Let’s spend some time with the estimable Ms Mepham.

Jo, how did you get into the coffee business?

I’ve been making coffees for almost 5 years now, but everything changed for me when I won the 2007 Mojo barista competition and they sent me to India to learn about their coffee supply chain.

I saw everything from the beans growing in the coffee fields, to the drying decks, where people use huge rakes to cull bad cherries out. It looks a bit like a Japanese Zen garden. I spent time in the packing facility where the beans were sorted, and the green beans were tipped into the big rough sacks that you see displayed in cafes. And we went to the coffee science lab in Bangalore, where I did cupping and learned about the process beans go through.

Seeing it all together like that made me I consider a career in coffee. I stopped thinking about being a barista as just a job. It gave me a much better appreciation for where coffee comes from, and how much work goes into every cup.