A small caf茅 in Comox is receiving a huge heap of praise for its supportive work environment and its dedication to inclusive hiring.

Rocky Mountain Caf茅 is a shining example of a healthy, supportive workplace, according to Vancouver Island Community Connections (VICC), an organization that helps adults with developmental disabilities find meaningful employment in the Comox Valley.

鈥淭he natural supports within that business are amazing; you really couldn鈥檛 ask for anything more,鈥� said Glenn Wildes, a job developer with VICC. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e done an amazing job of creating a welcoming atmosphere for both customers and employees.鈥�

Donna Elderton, who has owned Rocky Mountain Caf茅 for 18 years, got involved with VICC last summer, when she was looking to hire a new employee to help out during peak hours.

Her baristas had too many responsibilities to manage efficiently during busy periods and so, after meeting with Wildes, she 鈥渃arved鈥� a new dishwashing position from those duties. Elderton was then able to hire two part-time employees through VICC鈥檚 Community Employment Service.

With the Community Employment Service, a VICC job coach learns the duties of the job and then trains new employees at no cost to the employer.

鈥淭he training at Rocky Mountain Caf茅 was much shorter than usual because of the great team atmosphere,鈥� added Wildes. 鈥淣atural, internal supports are the healthiest thing for a business, and that鈥檚 exactly what they have at Rocky Mountain Caf茅.鈥�

鈥淭he traditional training process can be costly and time consuming,鈥� notes Elderton. 鈥淎 lot of the time you get an employee who leaves after just a month, so you have to go through the whole process again. But going through VICC has worked out so well.鈥�

鈥淚n this industry, it鈥檚 hard to find people who are dedicated and want to stay,鈥� she added. 鈥淭hrough VICC, we found two really dedicated employees, and I鈥檓 really happy with their performance.鈥�

It鈥檚 the employees themselves, however, who are the real benefactors.

Before being hired by Rocky Mountain Caf茅 last August, Randy Bates had cycled through several jobs without any lasting success. He really wanted to find a dishwashing position, and Elderton offered him the first job at which he truly felt comfortable, a testament to her caf茅鈥檚 collective values.

Melissa Parkes, hired last September, had a similar experience. 鈥淎t other jobs, it was hard to get along with everybody and feel supported,鈥� she says. 鈥淗ere, the hours fit with my schedule and I really get along with everybody.鈥�

As for Elderton, she鈥檚 already considering hiring a third employee through VICC.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been such a great experience,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he nature of hiring is that you often do it when you鈥檙e really busy. How do you dedicate an experienced employee to training when you鈥檙e already overwhelmed? You go through VICC and have a job coach do it for you for free.鈥�

Rocky Mountain Caf茅 is located at 102-1705 Comox Ave.

鈥� Vancouver Island Community

Connections