Cafés Receive Overwhelming Support!

Community Cafés have been an ongoing activity of the Housing Stability Initiative (HSI) since October 2011.  It is an opportunity for individuals who are alone, who are on limited incomes, or struggle with meal preparation, to come out and have lunch and socialize twice per month.   

The HSI, in partnership with Stephenville Lion’s Club, holds its café on the second Thursday of each month.  The Lion’s Club have contributed space, expertise, and donations to the initiative.   On the fourth Thursday of each month, Zion Pentecostal Church, a member of the HSI, holds a café at its community centre, and also has volunteers on hand to assist individuals in need of clothing items. 

Community Cafés have taken on a life of their own, and have received an enormous amount of support from individuals, businesses and agencies in the Bay St. George area.   These sponsors provide a combination of finances, food, and/or hands-on-support.

Community Education Network has provided in-kind staff and administrative support to the HSI, and notes the success of the cafés is indeed due to true community collaboration.  Regular contributors include: CEN, HSI, Stephenville Lion’s Club, Coleman’s Food Centre, Bay St. George Status of Women, and Zion Pentecostal.  A big thank you is also extended to the following who have contributed to the event since its inception: Bay St. George Credit Union; Bay St. George Literacy Council; Indian Head Co-op; Price Chopper; Scotia Bank; CEN Community Employment Readiness Centre; Bay St. George Ministerial Association; Child, Youth and Family Services; Western Health; Group Six Ltd; and Advanced Education and Skills.  A commitment to support upcoming cafés has been received from College of the North Atlantic, Service Canada and Dominion.