When you walk into the vibrant hub that is the CHS Life Centre, you cannot miss The Table Café on your immediate right. Not only does the Wiara coffee and delicious food smell draw you in, but the friendly staff and some new precious faces will irresistibly welcome you with open arms. It’s not just their warm embraces that welcome our locals and new visitors, but it’s really the feeling of the incredible testimonies of overcoming gender based violence, abuse, homelessness, addictions and more. It’s the genuine HOPE within the doors and halls of the Life Centre that makes it so unique, and especially in our beloved and fast-becoming-popular Table Café.

2024 has brought the most amazing growth in the life of the centre, church and broader community. One of the best milestones we celebrate in this time is the joining of hands between U-turn and the café. In a ribbon cutting ceremony, breakfast celebration during November, we reopened the doors ushing in a new season of hope, transformed lives, restored dignity and a deeper community hum. 

This was not just a relaunch for our collective teams, but a powerful partnership with an organisation that is renowned for supporting vulnerable individuals as they step out of a harsh street-dwelling lifestyle. Today, it’s more than a café that serves up the best hospitality and taste we can offer but it’s a place and platform for change, where the impossible becomes possible.

A Vision of Hope in Every Cup

A few fresh faces and a new menu does so much to elevate a southern suburbs coffee shop. It’s become even more about creating opportunities for those striving to rebuild their lives. By partnering with U-turn, we have the wonderful opportunity to merge our mission of community engagement with U-turn’s expertise in equipping individuals, who are known as “champs,” with the skills they need to thrive.

Jean-Ray Knighton Fitt, CEO of U-Turn Homeless Ministries, and CHS Life Centre Director Mark Slessenger shared their enthusiasm for this new and exciting collaboration:

“We are incredibly grateful to be part of The Life Centre at CHS. This partnership will have a tremendous impact on our champs, giving them the training and skills they need to overcome homelessness.” - Jean-Ray Knighton Fitt

“We’re excited to partner with U-Turn, whose community work aligns perfectly with The Table Café’s mission to bring people together and see lives changed. The Table is more than a café - it’s a place of transformation as well as offering great coffee and food. U-Turn became the obvious partner, and we look forward to impacting even more lives together” - Mark Slessenger

Upgraded Spaces, Renewed Purpose

We are also excited to share that the Table Café’s relaunch coincides with some awesome upgrades to the Life Centre facilities, making it an even more welcoming space for the community:

• A spacious new car park (with seriously level ground) making access easy for everyone.

• An extended kids play area, perfect for young families and the below teen age groups!

• A cozy outdoor seating area and pergola, ideal for enjoying a meal in the fresh air.

These improvements reflect our genuine commitment to creating an inclusive and vibrant environment for people of all ages and walks of life.

 Amazing Opportunities!

At the heart of this new partnership is the U-turn Work Readiness Programme, which provides our Champs with life-changing opportunities. Through hands-on training at café, our friends gain work experience, rebuild their self-confidence, and experience the restoration of their dignity and purpose.

For many of our staff members, the Table offers a stepping stone to stability and self-sufficiency. Their inspiring stories remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the impact of community-driven support.

Building Community One Plate at a Time

Since day one, the Table has been a neutral space where connections are made, stories are shared, and lives are accepted, redeemed and restored. It's a set-apart symbol of what can be achieved when people, community members and organisations unite to tackle complex challenges like homelessness.

Through this partnership, our awesome café continues to offer:

• Delicious meals served with a purpose.

• A platform for Champs to develop professional skills.

• A community space where people can come together.

If you haven’t yet, join one of our monthly community lunches to see what we mean! Chat to reception to find out more.

You Can Be Part Of Positive Change

The success of this partnership depends on the community’s support. It’s something we would love to share with you and many others who are looking for this kind of gentle, genuine and vibrant atmosphere. Here are some of the ways you can join hands with us in making the world a better place:

1. Visit The Table Café! Enjoy a light meal and support the Champs as they build their future.

2. Spread the Word: Share the café’s story to inspire others to get involved and to use our venue for special events and occasions.

3. Volunteer or Donate: Reach out to U-turn Homeless Ministries to contribute to their mission or chat to our reception if you have any questions or ideas to share. 

Our Future Is Built On Collaboration And Community

The partnership between the Life Centre and U-turn exemplifies the power of working together with compassion and intentionality. By offering Champs opportunities to grow and thrive, we believe we are creating ripples of change that extend far beyond the borders of our newly cemented parking lot.

Whether you’re stopping by for a cup of coffee or contributing to the broader mission, your involvement makes a difference! Together, we can build a community where everyone has the chance to succeed—and where every plate served helps change a life.