Growing up working in restaurants and catering, the founder discovered a passion for creating warm, welcoming experiences through food and service. Later, working in social services and mental health, a new question emerged: how could these two worlds be brought together in a meaningful way?
From that question came the idea for a workforce development café—a place where young people could gain real, transferable job skills in a supportive environment. While workforce cafés are not new, Sawubona Cafe is distinguished by its strong emphasis on mentorship and mental wellness. The café is designed to support youth not only in learning how to work, but also in addressing and overcoming trauma and internal barriers that can hold them back.
More than just a café, Sawubona Cafe is envisioned as a space of community, care, and quality—a gathering place where people feel seen, supported, and valued, whether they come to learn, to work, or simply to share a meal.