Social Enterprise & Community Connections
The Return of Hope Street Cafe
2023-2024 was the return of the Hope St social enterprise to its full business model after several years in restoration. Hope St Cafe at 15 Hope St officially reopened in early July 2023. Full service started at the cafe in August 2023 with the cafe now back to business as usual. Hope Street Cafe continues its commitment to providing volunteering and training opportunities to the Brisbane Common Ground community with 472 hours of participation from Brisbane Common Ground community members in the last year.
Key figures
472 hours
of participation at the Hope Street Cafe from Brisbane Common Ground community members
Hope Street Catering
Hope Street Catering finally became its own standalone business operating from the Menzo building at 68 Cordelia St South Brisbane. Hope Street Catering continued to support the work of Micah Projects by producing and packaging meals and operating as a commercial catering business.
Hope Street Training Program
In March 2024, our Hope Street Training Program (funded through DESBT Skilling Queenslanders for Work) commenced its second year of a three-year contract. The first program intake for the year helped six trainees become employed through our cafe and catering outlets. Trainees are engaged for 600 hours of paid work over 20 weeks. 12 trainees are scheduled to complete training each year.
Food Relief and community support
Oz Harvest and Second Bite donations provided the base for Hope Street ready-made meal production with surplus donations redirected from the community pantry model at Hope street cafe on Boundary st to direct support for individuals and families in temporary accommodation through Micah outreach teams.
Key figures
11,578 meals
were distributed through outreach teams and Hope Street Cafes.
Community Lunch
Community connections and Hope on Boundary continued to host the free community lunch each Friday from our courtyard on Boundary Street, serving a nutritious sit-down meal to 30-50 community members for 50 weeks of the year.
Pay it Forward
Pay it Forward donations provide discounted or free meals and beverages at both cafe locations and provide opportunities for social engagement in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Key figures
$6,986
in 'Pay it Forward' community donations through Hope on Boundary and Hope Street Cafe.
1,025
free ready-made meals distributed through cafes to community members.
Music Appreciation Group
The Music Appreciation Group facilitated opportunities for individuals at risk of social isolation to attend musical events as a social group. Attendees visited local cultural events including Queensland Symphony Orchestra performances, BrisFest and Open Mic nights. Events were selected based on accessibility diversity of genres and participant suggestion.
United Artists Project (UAP)
United Artists Project supported new and emerging artists through monthly exhibitions at Hope Street Cafe. This financial year, exhibitions ran from October to June. Displayed artwork by Duane Doyle.
Key figures
$5,632.00 in art sales
from UAP group and individual shows
Cook and Share
Through our Cook and Share (Skills Development and Social Connection program) 27 attendees participated in workshops with local chefs, social dining groups, local restaurant visits in West End and creating connections in new environments through the Cook and Share program (which concluded in April 2024).
Key figures
11 women
over 55 years old participated in a year-long program based around skills development and social connection
Micah Projects' Enterprise and Community Connections Service
