Community Cafe: All the way to Graduation!

We have reported several stories regarding the Community Cafe over the past number of years.  To try and report something different becomes a little more difficult each time. For the regular volunteers it has become another cafe day of routines…emails, volunteer schedules, food commitments and supply shopping. On the day of it’s setting the tables, making the sandwiches, serving the meals, and cleaning up…and simply repeat!

Since 2011 we have had many volunteers come and go, although most have been with us since the beginning or shortly thereafter. For those of us who fall into that category, while we all love cafe day, we sometimes forget that first time feeling. Today, however, I for one, was reminded. Reminded during a speech made by a young woman on one of her most exciting days…her college graduation.

Hayley Young, stood among her peers, her teachers and family members, as  Class Valedictorian, recalling her college days during the College of the North Atlantic’s graduation ceremony. It was during her moving speech that she recounted some of her experiences as a college student, and how some of these have made a lasting impact on her young life. One of those experiences being the Community Cafe.

“During my time here,” she said, “I participated in the Community Cafe, a place where people meet and share a meal together and I absolutely loved it! I got to see how even doing the simplest of things can create enjoyment for all kinds of people.”

It was during January’s cafe that Ms.Young and her fellow Cooking and Baking students from the College of the North Atlantic’s prepared and served the meal to the cafe patrons.

So, while I sit here in front of my computer writing this story about Ms. Young and her cafe experience, two simple lines she said during a small portion of her motivation valedictorian speech reminded me why I do it.  She said,  “I had the chance to experience the way I can make a person smile by doing something that I love to do.”

And that for all volunteers, is the underlying and simple truth..we do it because we love it!

Thanks Hayley for the reminder..we wish you years of continued happiness and come back and join us at the cafe anytime! Congratulations on your graduation!

Submitted by Corinne Tulk