Page 12 - AYC Annual Report 2017 - 2018

AYCafe

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One of our major achievements for 2017-18 has been the completion of a commercial training kitchen at Auburn Youth Centre.
This kitchen is a key component in the implementation of AYC’s strategic plan impacting on two focus areas, the creation of
employment pathways and increasing participation in the Centre.

Our training kitchen will be named Auburn Youth Café, or AYCafe. AYCafe is equipped with commercial grade equipment including
2 gas stoves, 2 convection ovens, inline dishwasher and Barrista coffee machine. Importantly the kitchen meets commercial food
handling standards allowing for sale of product. The equipment aligns with commercial kitchens in cafes and restaurants allowing

for real life work experience and training to be provided at the Centre.

The building of AYCafe was a big undertaking for AYC. Funding for the construction, fixtures and equipment was received from a
number of sources. The NSW Government through the Community Building Partnership Grant provided $57k. Cumberland Council
matched this with works on the external façade of the building as required under the format of the grant. Dooley’s Lidcombe

Catholic Club directly contributed $32k into the construction of the kitchen and appliances. Cumberland Council contributed
another $39k for equipment, flooring and the building of a storeroom and AYC contributed monies from its reserves. The end
product is one serious cafe and one wonderful opportunity for the youth of Cumberland.

AYC has engaged a Café Coordinator, Kate Mason who has a background in business and as a headchef / restaurant owner. AYCafe
is now engaging young people into accredited and non-accredited training in food handling and preparation. The future will see an
expansion into a broader range of Certified Training and a functional business model involving both the café and catering.

We would like to express our appreciation to of our Local Member, Luke Foley, and his office for their support of this project. We
thank the NSW Government for the grant that allowed AYC to complete the structural upgrade of our kitchen. Without Cumberland
Council we could not have finished our kitchen. We thank you for your financial support and for your assistance in project Managing

. AYCafe is ready for business
and will make a difference in

the lives of many.

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