Our Story
I want to be a part of everything, just like everybody else. A part of life. - Melly
2018
The Spark
The inception of Melly's took root in 2018, during a season at a Restaurant and Inn that we were running for the summer.
Here, we brought on board ten young students. In guiding them through the nuances of their first job, including the subtleties of workplace culture, the groundwork for our comprehensive workplace training program started.
Melanie volunteered at the restaurant. She loved working, and we'd often find her so focused on a task and busy with work that the summer students would seek her out and ask if they could help her.
Melanie has an "I've got this" work ethic, and it sowed the seeds for Melly's: How many other adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are ready, willing and able to work and just need a door opened to an opportunity?
2019
The Launch
In 2019, we took a giant leap forward by securing a location for Melly's. However, the onset of the pandemic imposed many delays on our launch. This setback became a period where we refined and expanded our program. We built an extensive curriculum tailored to diverse learning needs, comprising 32 workplace and personal development modules and hundreds of activities for different learning styles.
Often, we fail to view people with disabilities starting their first job through the same lens as a young person embarking on theirs. Melly's aims to help with this by providing an environment where individuals can gain confidence and familiarize themselves with working life, preparing them to seek employment in the community confidently.
Present
Here's to Celebrating all abilities
Situated within a real café and market, Melly's employs learning strategies that foster confidence and capability, equipping participants with sustainable skills. Our feedback from employers speaks volumes about our graduates' readiness and ability to adapt to their new roles and connect with their new teams.
Our vision for the future is simple: to see individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities actively engaged and represented in all facets of community life as both employees and customers, fully integrated and participating. With the right support, everyone can find their place in the world of work, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse society.
A part of life.
Early Days
