Page 26 - Southport - Reaching New Heights - Summer 2017

Serving & Learning at

Sometimes a panini is more than just a sandwich.
Don’t believe it’s possible? You might need to
visit the Sawmill Tea + Coffee Co.

Located in the Welcome Centre of the Central Plains of the community. Trainees receive training for skills
RecPlex at Southport, Sawmill Tea + Coffee Co. is such as safe food handling, customer service, recipe
a food kiosk that serves a healthy variety of hot building, workplace safety and cash handing. This
beverages, smoothies, sandwiches and wraps. builds qualifications that are essential to working in
a restaurant or café.
The crowds here vary significantly: you are just as
likely to see an employee from one of the many The precedent for the food kiosk was put into motion
Southport businesses enjoying a lunch break as you by the original Sawmill Tea + Coffee Co., operated
are likely to see a congregation of young gymnasts in Boissevain, Manitoba by Prairie Partners Inc. Due
stopping for a bite to eat before practice. The
enticing aroma of a freshly prepared grilled flatbread
is also known to coax long-time facility members to
stop for a post-workout refuel.
But the most remarkable element of this food kiosk
isn’t the fresh and appetizing food, or even the
satisfied customers. The significance lies on the
other side of the counter, with the trainees.

Sawmill Tea and Coffee Co. is operated by Visions
of Independence (VOI), a non-profit organization
that offers and individualized and unique approach
to community living for people with intellectual
disabilities. This includes equal employment
opportunities, as VOI offers a wide range of
platforms aimed at job creation and training for
people with intellectual disabilities who have barriers
to employment.
Sawmill Tea + Coffee Co. created 15 new jobs for
people VOI supports, as well as for other members
Theresa demonstrates her cash register skills at the food kiosk.

26 | Southport: Reaching New Heights