Excitement Brews at Glenroy’s New Embrace Café

Post Created: 25 February 2025

Last week marked an exciting milestone as participants from Onemda’s Glenroy Pathways to Independence and Employment program opened the hatch door on their very first Embrace Café at the Glenroy Hub on Wheatsheaf Road. 

In the weeks leading up to opening day, participants completed essential training, including a food handling course, barista training, police checks, and Working with Children checks, equipping them with the skills and certifications needed to run the café, and to eventually seek out meaningful long-term employment opportunities. 

Supported by Onemda staff members Andrea, Emerson, and Jo, the team has worked together seamlessly to bring this project to life. The café itself came about by chance, Jo, while returning library books, noticed the on-site shed and asked about it. A Merri-bek Council member revealed that it was a fully kitted-out café space. A few phone calls later, and the space found a new purpose, now home to nine enthusiastic participants and two dedicated staff members. 

The Glenroy community’s response has been incredibly heartwarming, with word quickly spreading about the café. An informal meeting with Glenroy Hub staff last week further solidified the café’s presence, ensuring strong community support moving forward. 

The official launch of Embrace Café is set for mid-March, marking a new chapter in providing hands-on training and employment pathways for people with intellectual disability. 

If you’re in the area, we’d love for you to stop by and say hello to our participants! The Embrace Café is open Monday to Wednesday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, come by for a coffee and a warm welcome.