One of the most difficult decisions facing visitors and residents of Victoria is deciding on a favourite coffee shop — First-world problem for sure. A friend recently directed us to the Imagine Studio Café nestled in Victoria’s historic James Bay neighbourhood. She heard it was good food and drink, and really interesting. She was right on both counts. Yes, it’s a coffee shop in a great location, but so much more. Their website describes the menu, ambiance, and raison d’etre well:
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.
The patronage customers provide works two ways. We enjoy food and drink but also join a movement of social support and encouragement. We are invited to join a café classroom!
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.
Customers easily fill the benches and tables. The only thing lacking is ample parking. Sigh! Patrons are well fed and watered; what makes this place so special is that our presence enriches the lives of others. In a city reeling from the complexities of downtown life this is no small accomplishment.
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.
Locally and beyond, almost everyone knows that we need a little more love and kindness in the world. Such virtues are not inherited; they are practised, tested, taught, handed down, and discovered in the minutiae of human life and experience of community.
To those who suggest you can’t mix business with virtue, in the case of Imagine Café, you’re wrong. Sure, it’s a small operation with however an impactful history since 2013, directed by visionary leaders who place kindness at the centre of its operation.
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.
Too good to be true? Visit for yourselves. Read the information on the website. To support ImagineStudio in other ways connect through email at ImagineStudioCafe@gmail.com.
Our two visits to Imagine may in fact be the highlight of our soon-to-end 5-week vacation. But as Arnold said, “we’ll be back.” See you there.
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Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 
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