There is a growing recognition that positive support is key for healthy and happy people, cultures and communities. Improving lives has a ripple effect. Many youth and adults face multiple personal and systemic barriers. Our programming invites healing development from within, inclusive of those with substance use and mental health challenges, unemployed, homeless and street-involved, newcomers, and people with all-abilities. Through inter-generational and inter-cultural dialogue we connect to learn healthy ways, and positive friendships within and beyond borders. We provide a transformative learning experience designed as an internship business program for young men and women, all cultures and all abilities. Our team rotate through all aspects of the cafe, focusing on life and social skills, coaching and development. We collaborate with external teams, which include law enforcement, youth services, education, outreach, employment agencies and the justice system, providing an overall ecosystem of support around our interns to help them thrive.

Welcome to our classroom, an organic not-for-profit business, by youth. We proudly serve fresh, locally sourced, traditional cuisine in the heart of James Bay. Each meal is prepared and served to you by our team, the young men and women involved in our business program. By joining us at Imagine Studio Cafe, you provide hope, confidence, and motivation – encouraging our team to achieve their greatest potential. Our program includes mentoring to foster activities to improve self-esteem, self-respect through team building, mentoring and leadership. We inspire a passion for kindness, nature, outdoor activities, learn to know and grow our own food, traditional cooking the old fashion way, music, and the arts. Unfolding naturally through our program we build friendships by sharing stories and experience from the heart, making this a healthier world for now and generations to come.

MISSION STATEMENT

We strive to cultivate creativity, innovation and leadership for all ages and abilities to achieve
their full potential.

WHO WE SERVE

Imagine Studio Cafe, working in collaboration external teams, we employ people from all
cultures and with all abilities, inclusive of those with substance use and mental health challenges, unemployed, homeless and street-involved, and newcomers.

What if we replaced the word "addict" with: “A human being who suffered so much that he or she finds in drugs or some other behavior a temporary escape from that suffering"? — Dr. Maté

OUR MISSION IN ACTION

Imagine Studio Café is a not-for-profit business, creative space and training facility. Since inception in 2013 and opening our doors November 2015, nearly 65 young adults have been involved with Imagine Studio Cafe. While serving more than 350k guests, these young men and women have acquired professional, transferable skills within the cafe business, building friendships with mentors, and guests –gaining self-confidence and hope – and the knowledge that success is attainable.

PROGRAMS

Our cafe provides an internship of paid employment program for young adults. The employment/internship begins with an orientation at which time the interns are connected with the environment, team members to address basic needs, establish a baseline of comfort in their lives and an opportunity to set personal goals. The interns work their way through all areas of the cafe, learning social skills and life skills. Mentors work to round out the ecosystem of support including; financial concerns, communication, literacy training, educational assistance and career exploration. Our management work with external teams to guide them to work through issues such as education, literacy, treatment and recovery. Successful interns will be encouraged to become mentors, finding their purpose, potential and place in this world, holistically contributing members of society.

We are in progress with our classroom training and pleased to share that our 2024 Fall/ 2025 Winter program is in progress ! Connect with us through email only: ImagineStudioCafe@gmail.com, to know more about 2025 Spring and how you can join us.