Project Employ officially opens its purpose-built Flourish Café in new Takapuna location, creating even more opportunities for neurodiverse young adults.
Pictured: Hannah Sykes and Sarah Dann-Hoare
A café with a purpose has opened its doors in Takapuna as Project Employ officially celebrates the opening of its new Flourish Café on Anzac Street. More than just a place to enjoy great coffee and food, the purpose-built training café is creating opportunities for neurodiverse young adults to build confidence, develop valuable workplace skills and take meaningful steps towards paid employment.
The official opening brought together supporters, community members and Project Employ ambassadors, including Shane Cortese, Angela Bloomfield and Black Fern Atlanta Lolohea, to celebrate the achievements and potential of the young people at the heart of the programme.
Flourish Café provides a real-world hospitality environment where young adults can gain hands-on experience, learn essential workplace skills and discover what they are capable of achieving. With the support of dedicated Job Coaches and the wider Flourish team, trainees develop the practical skills and confidence needed to pursue meaningful employment.
More than 60 neurodiverse young adults have benefited from Project Employ’s hands-on employability and hospitality training to date, with 20 trainees in the current cohort.
Through practical learning, participants develop skills in hospitality, customer service, communication and teamwork, while strengthening their independence, resilience and confidence. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, helping young people move towards a future where they can contribute, belong and thrive in the workplace.
The new Anzac Street location marks an exciting milestone for Project Employ, providing a purpose-built space for learning, growth and connection within the Takapuna community. It also reflects the importance of creating inclusive workplaces where young people are recognised for their strengths and given the opportunity to reach their potential.
For the wider community, visiting Flourish Café is a simple but meaningful way to be part of that journey. Every coffee served and every customer interaction gives trainees an opportunity to practise their skills, build confidence and experience what it means to be part of a working team.
Sarah Dann-Hoare, CEO and Founder of Project Employ, says the most powerful moments are often the ones when a young person begins to believe in themselves.
“I’ve seen the moment a young person begins to believe in themselves — when uncertainty turns into confidence, and they realise, sometimes for the very first time, ‘I can do this.’ Those moments stay with you. Every young person deserves to be seen for their potential, given the opportunity to shine, and to feel the pride of knowing they belong, they are capable, and they have something valuable to contribute to the world.”
Flourish Café is about more than coffee. It’s about confidence, connection, opportunity and changing lives.
PUBLIC LAUNCH EVENT:
Pop in for some face-painting, live music, colouring competition, and FREE SMOOTHIES for the first 100 customers!
Saturday 31 Oct, 10am – 12pm.
ABOUT PROJECT EMPLOY
Project Employ is a not-for-profit organisation supporting neurodiverse young adults to develop the practical skills, confidence and experience needed to pursue meaningful paid employment. Through fees-free employability training, hands-on learning and real-world hospitality experience at Flourish Café, young people are supported to build their independence, discover their strengths and transition into the workforce.