from YAPRap August 2004
It was a red letter day* in January when builders started work on a new café in central Albury that offers lots of 'extras' on the menu.
With strong, local community support that included 80 per cent of the start up costs the new café is the result of three years of research and community consultation. The youth café proposal followed an advocacy workshop for young people in Albury run by the Commission for Children and Young People. The participants said they wanted a safe place to meet, hang out and access information and services.
Young people have been extensively consulted on what the café will look like, what it will offer and how it will run. The café is housed in heritage listed Burrows House with Albury City Council waiving the rent and rates for three years. The cost of the building renovations is being raised through local community members, service clubs and businesses.
While the operation of the café is being tendered to the local business community it will include a range of youth orientated activities and programs managed by Albury Council. Riverina TAFE has also offered onsite training in hospitality and beverage preparation for young people wanting to work in the café.
"The café will be alcohol free, actively promote healthy life choices and create a apace for young people to develop their artistic talents," said Bridget Guthrie, Albury City Council's former Youth Development Officer.
While the café is aimed at under 18's, it will offer general programs for young people as well as activities aimed at particular ages and groups such as youth at risk and indigenous youth. These programs will help young people to develop positive life skills and increase community awareness of the issues facing local young people such as unemployment, truancy, drug and alcohol use and youth suicide.
"From looking at other café models in Australia and overseas we think the key to a successful café is that, as well as being a safe and welcoming venue, it needs to link with ongoing activities that will foster resilience, confidence, life and leadership skills and a sense of civic mindedness in young people," said Bridget.
"My vision is that this café will reflect the resilience and confidence of the young people directing this project, who have a real place and a say in our community.
"It will be a positive and inclusive space, with a contemporary feel inside a heritage building, brightly coloured décor and artwork, the music is on, the internet is being used and people are hanging out and chatting on the sofas or out in the courtyard listening to live music being performed".
Call in when you're next visiting Albury.
more information
Retro Youth Cafe
556 Dean Street, Albury
(02) 6021 8313
www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/community/young/youth_cafe.htm
Youth Cafe Programs
(02) 6021 8208
[This article first appeared in Exchange, the newsletter of the Commission for Children and Young People.]
* Red letter day: a special occasion marked in red on your calendar or diary (according to Google).
