Empowering abilities with All Things Equal

At State Trustees, our commitment to fostering inclusive communities drives us to support innovative programs that create real opportunities for those who need them most. One such initiative is our partnership with All Things Equal (ATE), a social enterprise dedicated to training, mentoring, and employing people with disabilities at full award rates. Through our Community Inclusion Grant, we’re proud to help expand their mission, extending employment opportunities for people with disabilities beyond the café setting.

Expanding Opportunities in the Community

In 2021, ATE launched an inspiring pilot program with the AJAX Junior Football Club, where their trainees from the ATE Café and cooking school staffed the club’s footy canteen each week during the football season. This opportunity gave individuals with disabilities valuable experience in hospitality while showcasing their abilities beyond the café environment.

With the support of the State Trustees Australia Foundation, ATE is now taking this initiative even further, developing the relationship with the football club to become a long-term partnership. Over the next 2 years, the canteen program will provide 10 people with disability the opportunity to build vital transferrable hospitality skills, bringing greater visibility and inclusion to community sports.

Challenging perceptions, promoting Inclusion

What sets this initiative apart is the power of visibility. By staffing footy canteens at a local sporting club, ATE is challenging stereotypes and demonstrating the capabilities of its team in diverse settings. These opportunities help shift perceptions while fostering greater community engagement and emphasising the value of inclusive employment practices.

A Shared Vision for Inclusive Communities

Our partnership with All Things Equal exemplifies a shared vision of creating more inclusive and supportive communities. Together, we’re paving the way for positive change, one canteen, one café, and one community at a time.

Want to learn more about All Things Equal and how they’re transforming lives through their inclusive employment programs? Visit their website at All Things Equal — Cafe.

About the State Trustees Australia Foundation

Established in 1994 as a public charitable trust, the State Trustees Australia Foundation has been a cornerstone of community giving for 30 years. The Foundation has distributed over $45.5 million to support life-changing projects in areas such as mental health, disability inclusion, ageing well, and community engagement across Victoria.